Our last big meal together was held on the top floor of the Europa hotel.
It’s a beautiful hotel – I couldn’t believe how lucky were were for the entirety of our trip with the hotels we stayed in.
Okay, so the first one in Galway was a bit rambunctious with the pub being right below my window, and then there was that wedding party that went past 2:30am – and the rowdies then beneath my window at 5:30 am yelling at each other.
It couldn’t be helped that it was HOT –and the hotel did not have air conditioning because that just never happens in Galway ---
but all in all it was a beautiful hotel!
The Europa…TOP NOTCH!
Except I heard from locals twice on that leg of the journey “Oh, the Europa? Don’t you know that is the most bombed hotel in all of Belfast?!”
It’s been quiet in Belfast for many years now….but it sure brought the reality of the whole Northern Ireland experience forefront in my mind.
Can you see everyone taking pictures of the rainbow outside the window? Here is a recap:
Left side--Yes, it’s a double!
It seemed to get brighter every second ---
Right side!
Ireland is so far north that it was light til way past 10pm at night. It feels weird being back in the south where it is dark just past 9:30 or so. After dinner a few of us put on our running shoes, grabbed our cameras and went out walking…in Belfast, Northern Ireland – and were out past 10pm!
The sky was clearing after the rain storm –and the setting sun lit up the clouds.
Yes, this is a KFC!
Entrance to a pub…tile floors again!!
This street had lots of churches of every variety…they were beautiful in the fading light.
Tall square bell tower --
Towers, tall, round and pointy like a pencil.
Further down the road we came across Queen’s University
What a magnificent building!
Founded by Queen Victoria, the Queen's University in Ireland, was designed to be a non-denominational alternative to Trinity College Dublin which was controlled by the Anglican Church.
Just SO beautiful!
Doesn’t this look like something out of Harry Potter?
Statue in the front court yard --
Magnificent clouds!
Marker on the monument
Close up of awesome windows!
Angel on the door archway
Oh, those clouds!
It was a great evening walk in a fascinating city with some new traveling quilter-friends!
You know what is nice not to see?
ReplyDeletegraffiti! We saw it all over Europe on beautiful historical buildings. Make me ill to see it.
Ireland, isn't it magical?
Thanks for sharing your trip, welcome home and
Happy Sewing
I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the photos from your trip. It has been a fun coincidence that I am reading TransAtlantic by Collum McKann right now (just finished last night) and many of the landmarks I read about are in your blog soon after I read about them!
ReplyDeleteBonnie - your photography is getting so good you should sell these to National Geographic! Thanking you once more for the Ireland Tour.
ReplyDeleteHow you keep your schedule is well beyond me lol. Relax whenever you can, please.
Smilies
JulieinTN
Beautiful! BEAUTIFUL!
ReplyDeleteBonnie, you are so blessed with the life you lead. and then theres we who live through you vicariously. wouldnt have it any othwr way. i loved touring Ireland with you every step of the way. thankyou for sharing the most fantastic trip of a lifetime.
ReplyDeletei consider you a great friend.
Blessings to you, Sara
I've really enjoyed your photos.
ReplyDeleteI in the tropics and here it's well and truly dark by 6.30, I miss light filled evenings.
What an amazing trip you had!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
Always, Queenie
What amazing pictures. I hope to get to Ireland one day, but until then I travel with you.
ReplyDeleteHUmmm, I've seen house patterns, barn patterns, Cottage patterns, bird house patterns.... Maybe a Church pattern somebody?
ReplyDelete