Belfast

We really loved visiting Belfast.  Our hotel was a few miles from the city, but it was an easy commute by train.  The Irish people are very friendly, and they told us to find City Hall and catch a hop on hop off tour that stops in front of City Hall.

 City Hall is huge and beautiful, and we decided to go inside to have a look.

Of course I tried a judge's robes on.  Don't I look so important?  ha.

Did you know that the Titanic was built in Belfast?  Well, it was, and the Irish are proud to point out that they delivered a perfect ship to England for its maiden voyage.   Anyway, the Titanic exhibit was very interesting, but there are no actual Titanic artifacts here out of respect for the deceased.

This is the drydock where the Titanic was built, and it's easy to see how huge the ship was.

They did have models of staterooms on the ship,

and videos taken of the actual Titanic as it appears now.

Here we are, ready for our Titanic Cruise.  Just look at Bob's fake grin!

The tour guide pointed out the Titanic Studios where The Game of Thrones is filmed.

Belfast is a beautiful and safe city, but there are still signs of the strife from previous years, and there are many murals throughout the city highlighting the troubles between the Catholics and Protestants.

Some sections of the city still have very high fences to keep peace, and they are locked at night with nobody left in or out after the gates are locked.

Speaking of murals, look at this one I found!

Why not celebrate our fun day in Belfast by raising a pint of Guinness!  

It's on to Dublin tomorrow for a few days before heading home.