Belfast, Ireland


The Viking Sun docked in Belfast beside the shipyard that built the Titanic.  It is now in bankruptcy, having built their last ship in 2006.  Our excursion for the day was to the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the seven natural wonders of the world.  Jan remained on-board the ship with a bad chest cold. Along the way we passed Dunluce Castle built around 1500 by the MacQuillan family and later seized by the ambitious MacDonnell clan in the 1550s.  


It was a busy day in the area as motor scooter caravans and walkers raised money and awareness for prostate cancer.


Upon reaching the Giant's Causeway Visitor's Center, we learned that reaching the site required a 1-mile hike downhill (uphill for the return). 


Finally we reached the majestic and mysterious Giant's Causeway, an aggregation of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns--the result of an ancient volcano eruption.


 The columns, hexagonal in shape, date back to intense volcanic action 60-million years ago.


As the slow-moving lava cooled, vertical cracks formed. 


For millions of years, the unique rock formations have stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of Atlantic storms.  The rugged symmetry of the columns both intrigues and inspires.


Returning to the ship we viewed the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge spanning a chasm 80-feet deep.  (The bridge, with several people on it, crosses above the 'v' just left of center in the photo.)  Our guide must have figured that with the average age of the tour group about 75, we should only look and not cross.
Location: Belfast, UK

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