One Day Left :(

Friends,
I know this is taking forever, but I am almost finished. I left you at Belfast after our day trip to Giant's Causeway and the rope bridge. We got up in the morning and ate breakfast in the Cafe downstairs which was good but expensive esp. after we had been making our own. We took off to find a Black Cab Tour. On the way, we ended up buying tickets for an open bus tour. We walked to the town center to catch the bus. Everyone was so busy going places. Our tour was great. It was a double decker and we sat on the top. The weather was great-second day in a row. Belfast isn't too terribly big, a little spread out. The murals were interesting. So much conflict. After that we went to McDonald's so I could use the WiFi. While we were there, 2 boys were eating nearby and the one boy would eat some fries and throw the rest of the handful on the floor. I had to look twice to make sure I was seeing correctly. Of course Mom & Dad(that was us) let him know that what he was doing was completely unacceptible. He looked at us like we were from Mars, but he started moving when Tom went to get the manager. The manager said it was a common practice along with putting pickles on the windows. Whatever!
We went across the street to the "Mall", up instead of out, and looked for a quick sec. and then we were on our way to go to the Museum on the Queen's Univ. Campus. and Church. The Museum was way cool, wish we had more time to see it. Walked to St. Brigid's and attented Mass. Very diff. from St. Mary's in Killarney. Still pray at the speed of sound, though. Went to dinner in the univ. section of town. Another good meal but we did miss eating in Pubs. Tried to WiFi in Starbucks but couldn't connect there either so we went back to the hostel where I tried again. No luck. That night we thought Mardis Gras was taking place outside our window, it was that busy and noisy.

Breakfast at International Hostel. We paid for it.

International Youth Hostel in Belfast.

Double decker tour bus.

Hotel built like the Titanic's bows.

Government building. Stormont



One of the murals



Got up and made breakfast for ourselves and hit the3 road. We took the picturesque route. I like the villages on the Eastern coast. They have the water on one side and the mts. on the other. I could live there if they had food in their pubs.lol. We found our way to Newgrange with the help of the garmin, however, what it didn't know was that you needed to go to the Visitor's Center 2 miles away. So back we drove to catch the shuttle and go right back. Newgrange is interesting in that it is a passage tomb that pre-dates the pyramids. Big on the outside, it looks like a huge mound, but narrow and small on the inside. Actually built in a cross shape with an opening for the winter equinox sun rays to enter in the morning and light up the passage. Met an interesting man. He was an actor from Australia. We got his card and a list of movies he starred in. Can't wait to look them up. The weather wasn't nice, misty, rainy and chilly. Gave up looking for the Hill of Tara. Drove on to Dublin. Found our exclusive hotel--NOT!. It was right on the Liffey but showing some wear and tear of the years. The reception room is on the 2nd floor. What do they do for Handicapped? Our room was up another flight after that. All that luggage. Ugh. We went out to find a place to eat. A pub! Dinner was okay, I didn't like the chowder, it tasted fishy?? Slept like the dead after we spent 2 hours trying to pack all of our trinkets and goodies in our bags. Got it done but wow they weighed a ton. Tom took the car back next a.m. while I got ready. The breakfast there cost as well even though it was exactly like the hostel's. We didn't partake and instead went to find a place but nothing was open. It was, after all, 9:00a.m. but a bank holiday. We found a bus stop and went to the airport, which ended up being a good thing because it took us 2 hours to get through 4 check points. Apparently you can do US customs there instead of the states. However, it doubles your time at the airport. They actually had to hold the plane for all the passengers still in the lines. We had boarded on time, but ended up waiting 15 mins. for everyone else. This plane was nicer than the one we took before. We each had our own screen that we could watch various movies or tv. It seemed wider too. The ride back was over before we knew it. In Atlanta, I checked on our next flight which was changed we found out. I asked for an earlier flight and lo and behold we got one without xtra charges. Yeah Delta! Unfortunately no one told my bag. Consequently, I stayed with Sarah that night and Tom drove on home. My bag was there the next a.m. and Sarah and I drove back home.
The End.   (of this journey only, we are now planning our next one.)
Thank you all for keeping up with me. If you have ?'s, just send me a note here or my e-mail--mailto:e-mail--haines6@wildblue.net. Ta Ta all and love to you Mom, wherever you are.








Tallest building in Belfast.



This monument structure is actually leaning.



Queen's University

The Mourne Coast

Pastoral scene from Newgrange across the river.

Newgrange-passage tomb

Ruins beside Newgrange in shape of a cross

The opening to passage tomb with original rock in front.

Custom House in Dublin





My family crest-Costello .

Tom and his new favorite drink-Bulmers

Our fully packed bags.