12TH DAY-CABRA CASTLE

October 9, 2018

After leaving Belfast, we went to our hotel, The Cabra Castle. It was certainly the best place we had stayed at during our tour. In 2010, it was named the 2nd scariest hotel in the world. There have been many sightings from guests, but, none of the staff has ever seen a ghost. We never did when we were there, that certainly would have been interesting, but, spooky.

Cabra Castle has a long history (too long to tell) starting in 1699. The Castle we stayed in is actually the 2nd Cabra Castle. It was rebuilt in 1808.  It had many owners thru the years, but, was finally sold in 1991 and became a hotel.  

Our room

The grounds were beautiful

After a walk on the grounds we all stopped for a drink. I had a hot toddy to ward off the chill.  Denny was taking care of all the ladies.  He did a mighty fine job! Some men were off golfing, so the wives,  several single ladies, plus Denny and I were having a good time relaxing

12DAY-SIGHTS OF BELFAST

October 9, 2018

After the Titanic, we had a tour of Belfast and stopped for lunch. Of course, another Guinness!!

This building is the main seat of government in Belfast. Not really sure when it was built, but it is beautiful

Regular buses and Double Decker buses are all hot pink. Guess it's easier to see them

Another difference in language. To let instead of for rent

This sign was in the pub we had lunch at.  Opinions are so strong in Ireland about sports  that the pub must not want any trouble.  Must have had trouble in the past 

12TH DAY-BELFAST-TITANIC

October 9, 2108

We went to the Titanic Museum. Belfast is where the Titanic was built and took off from. There is a T shirt in the gift shop the says "it was fine when it left here".  When they told us we would be here 2 hours, I thought that sounded like a long time, but it wasn't. We were only about 3/4's of the way thru when Denny noticed the time. It was so interesting. We had 10 minutes to get down 4 flights and out to the bus. Boy, did we hustle!

Titanic Museum

  It is still a working shipyard

The posts show  the spot where the Titanic was built

These pictures show the 1st, 2nd and 3rd class areas. it was very opulent for it's day.

The first message

2nd message

3rd message

The heading says it all

12TH DAY-BELFAST

October 9, 2018

Besides Derry, there was a lot of fighting between the Protestants and Catholics during the 60's and 70's  in Belfast.  It is peaceful now, but you can still see signs of the fighting and divisions in the city.

This is the wall that divided the Catholics and Protestant living areas .  If either one went into the wrong area, they could be shot.  It is about 2 miles long. The area where the stores and shopping were neutral, anybody could go without fear. 

Closeups

Took these pictures to give you an idea how far it went.

12TH DAY-BELFAST

October 9, 2018

After seeing the Giants Causeway, we headed south to Belfast to spend the night. In the morning, we went on a tour of Belfast. 

Wanted to show you more differences in language between us and Ireland

Interesting way to say flu shot. The shot does jab you in your arm, so, I guess,  they are right on point with calling it a flu jab

Parking lot fees

We don't stay in hotels often, but, still have never
seen an automatic pants presser in a room

We never saw any signs for restrooms. They are  called toilets, even in the very fancy restaurants and hotels

Interesting to see on the street, a public restroom (toilet), wonder how much it costs to use?
i know they put some in Pioneer Square in Seattle, but took them away.  People were dealing drugs and prostitution in them. The experiment
didn't work, they sold them for a huge loss. They certainly weren't colorful as these

Quite a combination to sell in one shop, Home Improvements, Flowers and Fancy Dresses.

Post Office Carrier delivering mail.

We saw these crooked lines in a lot of streets in Ireland. Our guide said they are  to designate areas of no  parking.
They are always close to the intersection, but who would park there anyway, especially in the middle lanes?