Okay, so I have an excuse for the lack of posts. The wifi. Wouldn't. Post. My. Blogs. So it's not my fault, but unfortunately for us all that means one big wrap up Ireland summary. Better late than never, right? :)
The Giants Causeway trip was about as perfect of a travel day as you can get.
We were staying in Derry, a small town in Northern Ireland known for its dark history; its brick wall boundaries and "peace" bridge.
Northern Ireland is completely different from the Republic of Ireland. Don't call "Northern Ireland" just "Ireland" because you're sure to offend the citizens who are of English descent and are proud to be part of the Uk. Northern Ireland doesn't use the Euro, they use the pound, so along with crossing a boarder, we had to switch currency's and budget more because almost everything is more expensive.
Northern Ireland also seems more rainy, they have more mountains, and it's quite a bit colder than our Republic travels. Here people seem much more laid back and aren't so concerned about looking stylish. I also learned that there is a purpose for the skinny jeans that are often seen - they easily fit into shoes and boots and so when it rains, they don't soak up all the rain water. They also wear layers, hats, scarves, sweatpants and boots almost constantly. Anything to stay warm in the damp, 30 degree windy, rainy weather. It doesn't help that a lot of the hostels have seemingly little to no heat for us.
The folks here talk soo different as well. It's hilarious to try to understand their deep (and much stronger) Irish accent and their phrases such as, "give way," "eat in or take away," "wee bit," "to let," etc. I also get a kick out of their road signs...
Anyway, early in the morning, Lauren and I hopped on a train with a crazy Georgian girl named Courtney. Courtney is probably one of the most outgoing and adventurous people I have ever met, and she was 90% of the reasons for our "perfect" day. :)
We rode in the train along the northern coast of Northern Ireland, looking out at the deep blue water bordered by steep bluffs and surrounded by fields of not sheep, but swans.
I know they look like sheep, but I promise if you look closely you can see their giraffe-like necks. :)
As we drove, the weather turned from scattered rain, to intense sun, to pouring rain and dark clouds, and back to sun about six times in our 40 minute journey.
In Wisconsin we like to say we can see four different seasons in one week, but that is nothing compared to Ireland and their eight seasons in one day. I have never put on and taken off layers/gotten out and put away my umbrella so many times in one day...
Anyway, we were lucky enough to say goodbye to the rain by the time we arrived at our destination: Giant's Causeway.
We had gotten off the train in Coleraine to catch a bus to the causeway, but after realizing that the next bus didn't go for three hours, and there is NOTHING open on Sundays in Ireland aside from a few pubs, we hailed a cab and enjoyed our first ride in an opposite driving car.
When we arrived in Giant's Causeway, I was pretty much in heaven.
There were miles of walking trails along the rocky coast cliffs, waves crashing up on the rocks leaving thick white foam, deep green grass, and enough sun and warmth to convince someone to go tanning on the rocks.
The main attraction though, were the countless pentagon shaped rocks, lined up in steps forming giant towers.
No one knows exactly how something like this was formed, but they were so cool!
You could climb up them, and on the top were little pools of water from where the waves and rain had left their marks.
(To be continued)
