Belfast-Last Tour Day
We reluctantly departed Portrush....knowing it was the last official full day of the trip and the last of our adventures together. The trip to Belfast was short and once more, it was raining. Belfast does not have as many years of modern tourism (beginning early 2000's, after the Troubles). Residents were eager to welcome us to their city. We first toured the new museum, Titanic Belfast. Belfast, once considered the industrial area of Ireland, is known for its linen, whiskey and ship building. The Titanic and its sister ships were constructed there. The museum is VERY well done and quite large, but we all know how it ends.
We had a tour of the historic building that is now city hall. Our tour guide was Suzy Millar, whose great grandfather went down on the Titanic. Her story was interesting and sad. We stayed in the grand Europa Hotel in the city center. The hotel was the most bombed site by the IRA, with 40 separate bombings. You wouldn't know it now, as it is beautifully restored. We celebrated our last night of the tour with a very nice group dinner and "some kinda rowdiness" with the group (#inthepubagain). We all were reluctant to part, but now have 28 new bff's and a group Facebook page. We Texas gals were quite impressed with the Rick Steve's tour, quality staff, planning and execution. We would absolutely take another tour...or two, or three etc., etc., etc.!!!! Beyonce was in concert in Dublin for two nights, with lots of folks from Belfast using train and bus service to get to the concerts. Most of us had planned to return to Dublin for airport departures back home, but everything was booked with everyone traveling to Dublin for the concert. Luckily, our capable, efficient, splendid tour leader, Paschal, arranged for a private bus (he and his dad own a bus company) to help 19 of us return to Dublin. We were deluged by rain on the coach trip to Dublin- the weather mirrored our feelings- sad to end the wonderful journey in amazing Ireland.... hard to leave our newfound adventurous friends. Many hugs and promises to keep in touch (and we have-through our group Facebook page, email, and visits! We headed back to Texas with many pictures, memories, and ideas about where to travel with Rick next! Thanks for our Ireland discovery and adventure, Rick. You added so much to our next chapters! Slain! Goodbye Ireland! Anne and Annette P.S. Just in case we have tempted you and you want to get right to Rick's info on the tour....we encourage you to check it out ASAP! www.ricksteves.com/tours/ireland/ireland |
Paschal shares his final wisdom after our farewell- one of his special jokes!
"Leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again"- John Denver Departing Dublin.... |