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Today the first things we did was to go to the Giant causeway since it was close by. They said that it is a 20min walk down to the causeway but what they forget to mention is that it is downhill, which is nice going to the Causeway but the climb uphill on the way back may kill you. One of the best features of the Giant Causeway however is the nice little shuttle bus one can take uphill. J The Giant's Causeway is basically a large group of hexagonal stones that go down into the Irish Sea. A story the locals and guide like to pass around is about the Giant Fin McCool who built the causeway. They said that Fin McCool fell in love with female giant across the way in Scotland and he built the causeway as a means to reach her. But the more scientific reasoning for the shape of the stones is due to lava formation from a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. Either explanation is good and you can scamper up the hill made of hexagonal stones then go down to where the stones hit the water. There is also several hiking trails along the way you can take the long route which goes up the hill above the causeway then around the cliff side and down to the rocks. We actually climbed up part of that hike to where there is a section of stones that look like organ pipes and then an overlook at a bend where you can see down to the causeway and where the giant's boot is located at. The day was sunny enough that we can see the lighthouse where Scotland began from that overlook.
After exploring the Giant's Causeway we drove East on the Antrim Coast road to the Carrick-A-Reded Bridge. This bridge used to be made out of three strands of rope and fishermen would walk across the bridge to the island where salmon can be caught. You have to pay 4Euros to get in the pass then it is a 10 minute walk to the entry way of the bridge where you climb down these steep stairs. The bridge today is not composed of three strands of rope but a really well made rope bridge including two plans of wood. However if someone bounces on the bridge you get that wave and it feels like you're knees are turning into jello as you walk. Once you cross the bridge you are on this tall mountain like island and from here you can see Scotland in the distance.
We bought some sandwhiches at the Carrick-A-Rede bridge visitor center. That was where I noticed that I had gotten a tan. Who would've believed that one can get a tan in Ireland?! Lunch was parking at White Park Bay and having sandwhiches with a view. The view was of this peach colored beach set along the greens of the Irish countryside. Check out the picture!
Now our next B&B was back in the Republic of Ireland and so we had to make quick use of our time to leave Northern Ireland. But there was one more thing we had to stop at and that was at Dusendeen Temple. This old castle where one of the Irish Dukes built a library in the shape of a round temple right on the edge of a cliff, they call it the biggest folly. We had to rush through seeing the temple area, which had a great cliff side view of the water, then go through the main house on which only the walls remained. Not exactly ideal visiting conditions but what can you do when you are on a time crunch and you run into beachside traffic?
Our B&B in Silgo was up in the woods area but the proprietor recommended a good place for dinner and music. Dinner at pub was pretty good.I ate 10oz steak and we had good conversation at the table. Then walked to another pub where we listened to traditional Irish music. Now the pub where the music was found is just what you read about in the guide books. It was full of locals and tourist, you had music right in the center of it done by 3-4 old guys. It was lively and fun, you can tap your feet and we learned a new song called "Whiskey in a Jar" J. Great night to end a good long day!
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