Traveling Tonya: Giant's Causeway and Game of Thrones Territory

Hostel Windows

So more on the hostel. I really like it. Global Village, is relatively new. The atmosphere is like a family. You even get breakfast, which I have found to be unusual (ok, just continental, none of which I eat, but it's something).

So I asked for a room with 6 females when I booked online. I got settled in my room, and noticed 2 of the beds were occupied, but never saw anyone. The beds were unusual in that they were basically a wooden cubbyhole with an opening at one end. I especially liked the shelf with an outlet by the pillow. So I change my clothes got into bed last night. I wake up a little later to hear a few male voices. I peek out and ask what they are doing here, only to find out it is a mixed room. Which means it could be males or females. At this point I decide what to heck and go back to sleep.

The next morning I wake up and find that I slept with 5 men. So, before leaving I talk to the night employee, and he apologizes profusely and offered to switch me to a female room. I tell him it this point I don't really care, it was just as easy to stay but it's up to him. After checking the schedule, he says he needs to move me to female room. So tonight I'm sleeping with 5 women.

I have to say in all my years of staying in hostels, this is the first time something like this has happened…

Anyway, I took a Giants Causeway tour that hikes part of the trip. So, rather than taking the bus the whole way, I skip the Bushmill distillery and a castle, and get dropped off part way, to walk with a guide the 5 miles to the Causeway. I will then meet up with the bus to go home from there.

It was a beautiful drive to the Causeway (we took the scenic route; on the way home will take the faster interior route). The shore was covered with black and white stone. The black stones are basalt (ancient volcanic rock) and the white ones limestone.

First we stopped at Carrickfergus Castle. Built in the late 12th century, it was the start of the campaign for Scotland to take over Ireland 150 years later. Although they won the battle here, the lost the war 3 years later. Under British rule, the castle was attacked by many (Scotland, Ireland, France, and even America) up until WW2.

We passed through many cute coastal towns. As with the rest of Ireland, we saw several sheep and cows, although these were really hanging on the side of a steep hill. One of the towns, Carnlough has an inn built by Winston Churchill's great-grandmother. He was a frequent visitor throughout his life. It was also was the home to Paddy, a homing pigeon who was awarded a medal for bravery to animals during WW2. He delivered a coded message on the Allies advancement in record breaking time (France->England, less than 5 hours). A children's book was written about his journey.

Scotland off in distance

Along the way we passed several areas of interest:

A promontory, where Ireland is closest to Scotland - only 12 miles. (Can you see the little bit of Scotland on the right).
A small pond, which according to our driver will be absorbed into the rocks and disappear by tomorrow.
Some areas where game of thrones is filmed, but since I've never seen I it, I wasn't sure what area.
Ballycastle, where the first commercial radio transmission by Marconi occurred.

Carrick-a-Rede Ropebridge

Finally we reached the 300 year old Carrick-a-Rede ropebridge. The walk to the bridge is beautiful. The other side is nice, and I did get some great pictures, but honestly you could do everything except cross the bridge to the small island for free. Since I'm not likely to make it back here, it was worth the $7.50. But I could see skipping it with the family and just enjoying the walk.

View from Carrick-a-Rede Ropebridge

Across from us was Rathlyn Island…. Behind the island is Scotland. Rathlyn island is another site for The Game of Thrones.

I little ways down the road, the bus stopped and I got out to make my trek. They claim it is 5 miles, but I swear it is more. Although maybe that's because of all the ups and downs. Actually, I think it is because they don't include the Giant's causeway site, which must be at least another 2 miles.

Ridges show layers of lava over time

Along the walk, you can see the layers in the side of the cliff. The rock is formed from lava bubbling up between platelets. Some layers represent 1000 years. In any case, the rock is igneous, but one of the layers has decomposed faster than the others due to plant life and climate conditions. It was igneous, but has become sedentary rock. It's also the prettiest (red).

There was a geocache box with a book I got to sign. Pretty cool.

There is a legend in the area about Finn McCool. Some giants came over, so to intimidate them, his wife has him get in bed and she swallowed him like he w was a baby. So when the giants came to the door, she invited them in and told them they could wait for her husband by her sleeping soon. They saw how big the baby was and figured he must be a giant, and left him alone. Of course there are all kinds of rock formations named after Finn, his boots, his grandma, etc.