Gym's Ramblings: Atlantic Odyssey 2025: Belfast and the Giant's Causeway

Hexagonal columns of basalt at Giant's Causeway

Leaving Donegal and the Republic of Ireland behind, the MS Vista sailed back into the North Atlantic and turned right. She rounded the top of the Emerald Isle and in the morning of May 29th sailed into Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland and a constituent part of the UK. Mrs. Gym put away the Euros for the day and grabbed the sack of British Pounds.

Belfast and the surrounding area have so much to offer. Our hero and his dear wife had a difficult time choosing where they would spend the few hours that they had in Northern Ireland. They ended up passing on everything in Belfast city and so they would miss the Titanic Belfast Museum, St. Georges Market, Cave Hill Park and the Black Cab Tours. As usual, they discovered that they needed to return someday and spend a few more days there.

As Mr. Gym's favourite subject in university was geomorphology, he wanted to see the Giant's Causeway and his lovely sidekick agreed to join him in this endeavour. It was a bit of a drive outside of the city but it was well worth it. And it turned out, there were a few bonus experiences close to the Causeway, that werepart of the itinerary.

The Giant's Causeway is a must-see venue. The paved pathway down the cliffs to the igneous formations is wide and safe. It is about 1.5 milesl down to sea level and back up again. Beside the pathway is a paved one-lane road for the trolley that runs up and down the grade. The trolley is for the elderly and the lazy sightseers. The exposed outcrops of the hexagonal-shaped columns of basalt are stunning and really worth seeing. The facilities at the top of the cliffs are clean, modern and comprehensive with spacious and ultra-modern washrooms, a very nice cafeteria and a gift shop. In the summer months, they average several thousand people a day there and although it was crowded, everything flowed pretty well.

Just eight miles down the road from the Causeway, Gym was pleased to be able to drive by the venue for this year's British Open. The 153rd Open is being played at the Royal Portrush Golf Course from July 13-20, 2025. When the bus drove by Gym could see the bleachers going up and the hospitality tents being erected.

A little farther down the road from the golf course is the ruins of Dunluce Castle. Shots of it appeared in Game of Thrones. Dunluce was the inspiration for the castle of the House of Greyjoy. The bus stopped here for a photo opportunity.

Finally, on the way back to Belfast the bus drove past the town of Bushmills and its famous Irish Whisky Distillery. Gym was saddened that they couldn't stop for a tasting.

All-in-all, it was a great tour.

That night, the Vista would steam south into the Irish Sea. The next stop was Dublin where Euros would again be the currency-du-jur.