April 26.2024
I went for an early morning walk about in the city center to catch the sunrise and to say goodby to Scotland. We leave for Ireland today and I am a bit sad to leave incredible Scotland but am looking forward to Ireland!
We are off to Cainryan on the coast to catch a ferry to Belfast. It is about a two hour drive through the green rolling hills of the lowlands filled with sheep with wee ones. A spectacular sunny day.
When we get to the port the ferry is much larger than I anticipated! Inside it was like a cruise ship with restaurants, bars, play space for the kids and even a pet lounge. We stayed outside for the sail away and then settled in for our 2 1/2 hour voyage.
Belfast
Our coach picks us up from the port drove us into Belfast where we enjoy a city panoramic tour taking in the Falls and Shankill former areas of conflict (or as our guide called it “the troubles”)as well as the famous murals along the peace wall. The locations of the Belfast peace walls are areas often referred to as ‘interface areas’, these areas are where working class Catholics and Protestants live in close proximity. The purpose of the peace lines is to deter violence between these two communities. I found it sad that they have to have walls protected by barbed wire to protect them from someone who believes differently. The murals provide the people a place to express what they feel without violence and can change daily.
We also visited the Titanic Centre where I learned about the construction of the ship and the stories of its passengers and crew.
Then off to the hotel that is located in the city centre. I am looking forward to a walk about in the morning to explore the city!!
“Wee ones.” I love that you really dig in while you travel. Reading your posts is getting me more and more excited about our Scotland and Ireland trip early summer. Hugs.
Sounds like a great day!