Belfast, Part Two, and A Walk Down Memory Lane

I booked our hostel in Belfast specifically with Lagan Backpackers because they provided an all inclusive English breakfast! Usually hostels provide their stayers with some sort of bland, generic cereal and milk, bread and jam, juice, and coffee, if you're lucky.
I know Ryan loves eggs and a big breakfast in the morning, so it was all for him! Look at how happy he is.

I booked a secret all-day trip for us today, on Saturday, March 24, and he had no idea where we were going!

Our first stop was at literally, a dock.

It was really sunny!

Our tour bus took us through the beautiful, lush countryside of Northern Ireland.

We stopped at The Old Bushmill's Distillery for lunch.

We didn't have time to take a tour of the distillery, but the way I see it, after you've seen one distillery or brewery, you've seen them all.
Also, I toured the Old Bushmills Distillery last year when I went to Ireland with my mom.
Let's take a walk down memory lane, shall we?

I couldn't handle the whiskey so I passed out.

Just kidding! I tricked you.
I took like two sips of it before I chose the smarter and smoother drink: water.

There was a cool British telephone booth outside the distillery!

Ryan and I saw Dunluce Castle from down the road. We couldn't make it to the castle, which was unfortunate, but the way I see it, you've seen one castle, you've seen them all.
And you don't have to go far to go inside an old castle in Ireland. They're all over!

Here are some pictures of Dunluce Castle from when I visited it last year.

The tour then dropped us off at Giant's Causeway, which is where my next post will continue!

Ryan and Kelsey Go To Belfast

Here is some history about Belfast for you.
Belfast is part of Northern Ireland, which makes up one sixth of the island of Ireland. There are just under 1.8 billion people living in Northern Ireland, and Belfast is the largest city, containing 267,500 people.

Following the Government of Ireland Act in 1920, when the island of Ireland was partitioned, Belfast became the capital of Northern Ireland. Opposing views from the Roman Catholic and Protestant populations contributed to the dividing of Ireland.
Starting in the late 1960's and continuing for 30 years, Northern Ireland experienced violence, division and discrimination between the minority nationalist community (Roman Catholics) and unionist community (Protestant). The Protestant community attacked civil rights marches and were the ones initiating fights; the Catholics were the ones getting beaten up.
These events occurred in Derry, which is northwest of Belfast, and in 1972, unarmed civil-rights protesters marched down the streets of Derry and 26 were shot by soldiers of the British Army in an infamous event known as Bloody Sunday.
Don't worry about the Troubles, though.
Instead, listen to this song while you keep reading.

Belfast is under British rule, which means most people in Belfast do not speak Irish as a second language, and they use pounds as their currency.

Ryan and I took the train from Dublin Connolly Station to Belfast on Friday the 23rd. It wasn't a long trip, maybe two hours at the most, but we napped along the way.
We stayed at this great hostel, Lagan Backpackers. I highly recommend it!

Ryan and I had the whole day in Belfast, so we went to the Botanic Gardens, which was right by our hostel.

We walked to City Hall

And to a huge shopping center that had a great view.

We also saw some art on the brick walls of buildings!

First day in Belfast? Success. We loved Belfast!

Ryan Comes to Dublin!

This guy came to visit me last Thursday, the 22nd!

We walked around Dublin that day. All pictures are credited to him! Unless they're of him.

We walked down by the River Liffey

And tried to recreate a picture of me!

This was taken when I went to Ireland with my mom last year.

We got someone to take a picture of us on the Ha'Penny Bridge. I think the people in the background really add a lot to this photo.

We stopped by the Book of Kells.

Ryan had the brilliant idea of getting a shamrock shake, so we did before we ventured around Temple Bar area.

I think this picture really highlights Ryan's eyes.

We walked through St. Stephen's Green and saw a mom sitting in her daughter's stroller!

Some days I remember to brush my hair.
Today was not one of those days. Clearly.

We fed some swans!

And visited Oscar Wilde at Merrion Square Park.

Ryan and I went to Belfast that weekend, but on Sunday we walked around campus and went grocery shopping at Omni.
I got to wear sunglasses! This never happens in Dublin!

A Wee Bit O' Irish Music for Yeh

Check out these modern bands! They all formed in Ireland.

The Thrills -- Big Sur

The Thrills is an Irish rock band, formed in Dublin in 2001.

U2 -- Beautiful Day

U2 formed in 1976 in Dublin. I recently put two and two together and found out that Bono is the lead singer.

Enya -- Caribbean Blue

Enya, whose birth name is Eithne Ni Bhraonain, began her musical career in 1982. She is Ireland's best-selling solo musician and the best-selling female musician of 2001.

The Script -- The Man Who Can't Be Moved

The Script is a soft rock band from Dublin.

Snow Patrol -- Called Out In The Dark

Snow Patrol is an alternative rock band from Bangor, Northern Ireland.

I love Snow Patrol, and it was hard to pick a great song, but here is one of my favorites!

Van Morrison -- Brown Eyed Girl

Van Morrison is a Northern Irish singer and songwriter.
This song came out in 1967!

More Presents!

My parents stopped by my flat this morning, and they brought me some more things. Like this pretty box from my grandma and grandpa!

I wonder what's inside....

I knew it! A box of chocolates!

They are so delicious.

Best present ever?! Yes.
They are from Chocolate Expressions in Burlington!
If you need a gift for a girl, this is the place to go. Trust me, she won't be disappointed.

AND the colorful ribbon doubles as a hair bow! #winning.

I forgot to add this in to yesterday's post, but I got a cute book from my mom in the big suitcase full of snacks.

It's a great book. Even if it was to Jason in the first place.