Amuse-Bouche, live from the Muse, April 21-May 7, Port Everglades to Dublin

And it was May 5.

Happy cinco de mayo.

More traditional.

And then it was time to return to the ship.

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What a difference a few hours makes!

The fog is gone and view from the Muse towards the hills is clear!

WOW.

The Captain watches as we leave Killybegs.

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The sail out. On our way to Belfast.

The yellow flowers seen everywhere are Gorse. It smells like coconut and has sharp thorns. The flowers are apparently edible. It is considered a weed.

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Jimmy and Luke.

Night at the Grill.

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And now, more fog.

We have arrived in Belfast.

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The last photo above was of the Titanic Museum, which we could easily see from the Muse.

We could also see the layers of fog.

This was our last complete day aboard the Muse. The following day would be Dublin, and our flights home.

But I am getting ahead of myself.

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Our bus took us along the causeway coastal route along the northern coast of Ireland. The road hugs the coast for much of the drive, and it was a bit worrisome that we were starting in such fog.

Add to the mix that it was a holiday weekend and there was a lot of traffic of many different types. Our tour guide made it a point to tell us that motorcyclists were unafraid and ignored speed suggestions, making it risky for others on the road.

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Art in the roundabouts!

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The fog seems to be lifting a bit.

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And it seems we are sharing the road with a peloton.

As you might surmise, this is of great consternation to our driver and guide. They are speaking softly to another, voicing that our time is limited. They are trying to pass these people which is very hazardous on these narrow roads with blind corners.

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We have arrived in Belfast

My home town!!

Great to visit, not so good to live in.

Seems like you enjoyed visiting Ireland. But it's the people that make it. We're wonderful.:cool::halo:

My home town!!

 

Great to visit, not so good to live in.

 

Seems like you enjoyed visiting Ireland. But it's the people that make it. We're wonderful.:cool::halo:

Yes tts.

You are. The people we met were welcoming, engaging and warm.

I wish I could showcase Belfast but I did not spend enough time there.

I was very impressed by what I did see.

We learned so much about Ireland in the few days we were there.

I want to come back. Please let me.

Yes tts.

You are. The people we met were welcoming, engaging and warm.

 

 

 

I wish I could showcase Belfast but I did not spend enough time there.

I was very impressed by what I did see.

 

We learned so much about Ireland in the few days we were there.

 

I want to come back. Please let me.

We don't live there now but are looking at SW Ireland to move to. I fancy the Burren or Cork/Kerry but we have the little matter of our property here to sell.

It's funny, isn't it. We've lived all over the world but, in the end, I think it's time to go home.

And you are more than welcome to visit anytime.

Yes tts.

You are. The people we met were welcoming, engaging and warm.

 

 

 

I wish I could showcase Belfast but I did not spend enough time there.

I was very impressed by what I did see.

 

We learned so much about Ireland in the few days we were there.

 

I want to come back. Please let me.

Beautiful photos as usual Spins....thanks for posting and taking us along on the end of the journey.

Arrivederci from Dusababy

Dusa.

Yes until we meet again hopefully to have that dinner.

I so enjoyed meeting you.

I am not quite done with this thread.

Had I not caught DH influenza, I would have completed it by now.

We stopped for tea and scones at the Londonderry Arms Hotel in the Glens of Antrim on the causeway coastal route. It was built in 1848 as a coaching inn by the Marchioness of Londonderry, and eventually the property passed down to Sir Winston Churchill.

I was intrigued by the bulls eye glass window panes, which we had in some of our windows in a house I lived in as a very young child in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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The hotel faced Carnlough Harbor.

The iconic red phone booth.

And just next door to the hotel was the independent funeral director...

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The weather was definitely improving.

And we encountered more people on bicycles with whom we had to share the road.

Our bus driver was intent upon passing them, encouraged by our guide, once again to keep on schedule.

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The countryside was ever more beautiful and pastoral. This photo is of a Glen, and I apologize for not remembering its name, but I was awestruck.

Around every corner was a surprise...

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Stunning pics Spins! And I love the iconic red phone boxes!

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Impossible to miss is the Bridge End Tavern in Glenarm.

Over the fireplace is a sign which says, "Don't take life too seriously, nobody gets out alive anyway".

The sun is out and it has warmed up. All the fog has burned off!

Spectacular day.

Barbican bridge and Glenarm Castle.

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We are nearer our destination now.

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Even the driver can't resist the view.

The roads are quite narrow and these two buses were touching.

The driver in the car got out of her vehicle and took a picture.

It was amusing, but I am sure the bus drivers weren't pleased that they met in that manner.

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We stopped for a photo shot of the famous rope bridge.

I am too short.

I concentrated on the sheep instead.

It is lambing season after all.

The bridge was somewhere down and left.

I needed my own ladder.

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The roads are quite narrow and these two buses were touching.

The driver in the car got out of her vehicle and took a picture.

We were in the first bus. Yes, we touched!

It was a wonderful tour and a beautiful day!

Our destination was the Giants Causeway. It was about already after one pm and we had not had lunch. For some people who get hangry, this was tough. Our guide kept telling us we were going to this amazing place for lunch after we saw the Giants Causeway.

The weather was fantastic, warm and sunny. No need for the parka. We pulled into the parking lot for the causeway and it was filled, the place was so crowded! Likely the combination of the gorgeous weather, the bank holiday and another giant cruise ship, Princess someone or the other ( they had 11 bus loads of people) was the culprit. Three were people dressed in romper suits, shorts and t shirts!

We opted to walk to the causeway, down a hill and around the bend. It was billed as one half a mile, but seemed longer as we had to dodge other walkers descending and ascending, people taking pictures, tour groups, etc., plus add to the mix the small buses shuttling visitors up and down the road.

Yes it was mighty crowded.

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