Day 150 - N. Ireland II - Giant's Causeway

"You want the red pill, or the blue pill?" Can't resist taking this picture of this chair.

Dining room in our B&B

Irish Breakfast. We were debating if the white triangular pieces were bread or harsh-brown. Shall ask the owners tomorrow.

Royce enjoying his breakfast.

Our quaint little B&B, Ardtrabane House.

A group shot before we head off.

Royce's totoron wants a shot too.

And here we go!

Stop 1: Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Was advised by Maureen, the owner of the B&B, to come here first. Well, basically because it can get quite crowded in later times of the day, with tour groups queueing up to cross the bridge.

It's quite windy

Sheep Island.

Onwards to the bridge

The bridge. It's a lot shorter than it looks. Royce felt it's ok and decided to go ahead to cross the bridge.

The gang. And my camera and tripod proceed to fall off after being blown by the wind after this picture was taken. It's fine thankfully.

Royce needs meditation to cross the rope bridge.

Future lesson material.

"Work the camera! Give it to me!"

The bridge. Not as long as other pictures make it to be.

The longest menu item I've ever seen.

Stop 2: Dunseverick Castle

Took a bus to Dunseverick Castle.

It is so disappointing that I did not take a photo of the "Castle". Royce doing so.

Since the next bus is about 40 minutes away, we've decided to walk towards the visitor centre at Giant's Causeway to take a break and wait for the next bus.

Stop 3: Old Bushmills Distillery

Took a bus to Old Bushmills Distillery, which is a 老字号 whiskey distillery. Apparently, Irish whiskey is smoother than Scotch whiskey, as peat is not involved. But it doesn't really matter to me as I don't drink.

The Distillery. Not allowed to take photo during the tour.

The tour ends off with a free drink. Them trying the whiskey,

me and my ever reliable coke.

drunks. Nah, they're just tired waiting for the next bus.

Had dinner in a pub near the Giant's Causeway area. Well, in a ulu place like here, you don't have alternative choices.

satisfied meal. Time to visit Giant's Causeway - the reason that we're here for.

Stop 4: Giant's Causeway

Well the story is that there is a similar basalt rock formation in Scotland. Legend has it there is a giant in Scotland and one here in N. Ireland. One day, the one in N. Ireland decided to settle once and for all who's the stronger giant. So he built a causeway to Scotland. When he saw how much bigger the giant in Scotland is, he ran back to N. Ireland to hide at home. When the giant in Scotland came over to challenge him, the Irish giant's wife asked him to pretend to sleep. She then greeted the Scottish Giant saying that he's not in, and only herself and the baby(referring to her husband) is at home. When the Scottish giant saw how big the Irish "baby" giant is, he was shocked that it is so big, and was worried how much bigger the actual giant would be. He then ran back to Scotland, tearing up the causeway, so that they will never meet again.

Yifan admiring the beautiful coastline.

Basalt formation - the key beauty of Giant's Causeway.

More Basalt columns.

Yifan don't bring camera when he travel. I'm beginning to see the wisdom of it.

Nardev (in brown) wanted to take a solo pic there, but that tourist just don't get it and kept admiring the scenery from there......

The causeway.

"Giants" at the causeway.

There are other formations around the area, which are named after the giant myth.

My shoe is too small as compared to the Giant's Boots.

Giant's Organs (as in pipe organ, not offal)

Giant's Atrium

Unfortunately, it's closed due to slope instability.

Nardev loving the view. It's 9.30pm by the way.

Giant's Eye.

Giant's seat.

Royce wanting a seat.

View of the causeway from the top of the cliff. Our B&B is less than 50m away from this edge of the cliff. Its that close to the causeway.

The Irish coast is simply breath-taking. So says Royce too.

Day 149 - Rrright? Off to N. Ireland

Thanks to Melissa Lee Ling Chi's Facebook photo, Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland is in my must-go places list. Royce and Nardev heard about the hexagonal rock formation and its beauty, while Yifan didn't mind a weekend trip.

So here we are, 4 of us, embarking on a trip to N. Ireland.

After a torturous ride from Victoria Coach Station, Yifan and I met Royce and Nardev at Standsted Airport. It's a lot more modern than I thought it would be. Yes, people from Cambridge actually spent a lot less time travelling to the airport than us Londonites.

Royce concussed. He hasn't been sleeping well.

Once we arrived at Belfast, we took an hour ride on the cab that Royce had arranged to our B&B. Quickly settled in with a really friendly host. Thank goodness it's all single beds - no more awkward who-shall-share-the-king-size-bed moments.

We took a stroll around the area. Very pastoral. Sun set at 9.50pm.

Spotted these cows with the latest must-have bovine fashion accessories.