Giant's Causeway & Coastal Route, Northern Ireland

Apparently we saved the best for last!! Caroline and I took a day trip (loooong day trip 6:00-22:00) up north to check out the 'eighth wonder of the world' and left amazed. This was the last trip we'd be taking in Ireland for the time being, and I'm happy to say it was by far the best. I know, I know... all along I was saying 'this is the best thing ever,' but now that I have visited every place I had wanted to (and more), I can confirm that THIS IS THE BEST PLACE IN IRELAND!! If anyone comes to Ireland, the causeway tour is a must!

We took a tour bus from Belfast along the coastal route. Along the way we stopped at a castle, the rope bridge, the Causeway and another castle. I won't say anymore and let the pictures speak for themselves... although they are not even half as great as what we saw.











um hello... are we in the Caribbean here?! Look at the color of the ocean... in Ireland!!





Rope Bridge... we crossed the Atlantic over a rope bridge! It was swaying back and forth and bouncing, frightening but exciting!



Giant's Causeway

You can believe the SCIENCE: an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption - or the LEGEND: The famous legend concerns two rival giants, Benandonner, who lived in Scotland, and Finn MacCool in Ireland. MacCool was a relatively small giant at 52 feet (about 16 meters), and the two giants would shout across the sea to each other demanding a trial of strength.

Finn MacCool decided to build a rocky path across the sea between the two countries to enable the contest to begin, but exhausted by the work, he fell asleep on the causeway and was found by his giant wife Oonagh. Suddenly she saw Benandonner approaching, who was truly a huge giant. Knowing that Finn would be no match for the huge giant, she placed a coat on top of the sleeping Finn.

Benandonner demanded to know where Finn was. Oonagh replied by pointing at the sleeping Finn and saying, "Be quiet or you will wake my child." Seeing this, Benandonner had second thoughts. If that was the size of their child, how big would Finn be? He ran back to Scotland, smashing the causeway in his trail.









Dunluce Castle - picture didn't turn out too great because of the damn sun in the wrong spot, but trust me, it was spectacular!!




OH! We had the NICEST WEATHER SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE on this day :) not a cloud in sight = unheard of and 25 celcius/77 farenehit. Once again... UNHEARD OF! Pretty much the hottest Ireland will ever get. Needless to say, I left with quite the sunburn. I don't even think they sell sunscreen here, so technically it wasn't my fault!

On a sadder note, this was the last trip Caroline and I will be taking together, aside from me visiting her in Paris in about a month. She has been one of my bff's/travel partners all year. The two of us traveled to many places, in Ireland and abroad, and always have the best time on our trips. Not to mention NONSTOP TALKING and laughing along the way. Ah reality... tear :(