Making a run for the border

This morning, we left the Republic of Ireland and crossed the border into Northern Ireland which is officially part of the U.K.  So they don't use the Euro; they use the pound. And not very many green, white and orange flags but Union Jacks. So we took about two hours to get here with a half-way break. We met our local guide for a bus tour and she showed us the highlights of Belfast: City Hall, Queen's University, various famous addresses and most importantly sites having to do with the Titanic. We saw the dry dock where it was built, which is now next to the Titanic Experience (which we went back and did later) and Titanic Studios which used to be partly owned by Tom Hanks and is currently where they film the interior shots of Game of Thrones. She showed us the parts of the city which had been the areas most affected by the fighting between those that wanted to stay with the United Kingdom and those that wanted to reunite Ireland. Lots of bombings and violence in this city's history. 

Queen's University: 

Europa Hotel - the most bombed hotel during The Troubles. 

So after the tour, we had a lunch break and then headed over to the Titanic Experience, where we got to explore the population boom and the building of the Titanic and other White Star luxury liners. We went step-by-step through the building, furnishing and launch of the famous ocean liner and then ended with its fateful night, aftermath and rediscovery.  Outside, we walked in the dry dock where it was built. The tall poles are as high as the first deck was and the building is as high as the ship.

So after Titanic, we checked into our hotel and walked across the street to the Crown for dinner. After dinner, a few of us headed off to a pub to join the locals for some live music. We made it just in time for the last set which included the musicians singing songs by Adele, Mumford and Sons, Kenny Rogers, John Denver, Aloe Blacc, Walk the Moon and everyone's favorite, "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond. 

So now we have a short seminar in the morning before heading to the north coast and then back into Ireland.