4-Xtremes – Part 63: Of luxury liners and giants' causeways

Series: 4-Xtremes – The World Tour

A truly watery leg of the journey!

Where was the "Titanic" built? Where were scenes for "Game of Thrones" filmed? And where does a visit to the pub become a history lesson? A trip to Northern Ireland!

Magnificent pub: Belfast’s "Crown Liquor Saloon" has been serving drinks for around 200 years.


Northern Ireland is a bit overshadowed by other destinations in the British Isles. This certainly has something to do with the unrest that has plagued the region for so long. Fortunately, Northern Ireland is largely free of "troubles" now - and that's not the only reason why it's worth a detour.

Just before sunset, our ferry arrives in the capital Belfast. We have to search a long time before we find a parking space for the Axor – and then walk a few kilometres to the centre. But the effort is worth it, if only for the town hall with its pompous entrance hall with lots of marble and stained glass windows.


Northern Ireland’s rugged Atlantic coastline with the Giant’s Causeway – best travelled on the almost 200-kilometre-long Causeway Coastal Route.
Northern Ireland’s rugged Atlantic coastline with the Giant’s Causeway – best travelled on the almost 200-kilometre-long Causeway Coastal Route.
Northern Ireland’s rugged Atlantic coastline with the Giant’s Causeway – best travelled on the almost 200-kilometre-long Causeway Coastal Route.
Northern Ireland’s rugged Atlantic coastline with the Giant’s Causeway – best travelled on the almost 200-kilometre-long Causeway Coastal Route.
Northern Ireland’s rugged Atlantic coastline with the Giant’s Causeway – best travelled on the almost 200-kilometre-long Causeway Coastal Route.
Northern Ireland’s rugged Atlantic coastline with the Giant’s Causeway – best travelled on the almost 200-kilometre-long Causeway Coastal Route.
Northern Ireland’s rugged Atlantic coastline with the Giant’s Causeway – best travelled on the almost 200-kilometre-long Causeway Coastal Route.
Northern Ireland’s rugged Atlantic coastline with the Giant’s Causeway – best travelled on the almost 200-kilometre-long Causeway Coastal Route.

Incredible effort – building the "Titanic" in Belfast.

On the way to Solidarity Wall, a kind of open-air museum for murals, we stop off at the "Crown Liquor Saloon". This pub has existed since the 1820s, and we almost forget to drink the obligatory pint of Guinness as we marvel at the carved mahogany booths and details like the etched glass and gas lamps.

On day two, it starts to rain again. But it's dry in the "Titanic" museum. The luxury liner was built in Belfast a good 110 years ago, with incredible effort. Around 14,000 people were involved and the construction cost the equivalent of £160 million (€185 million) today. 


Modern architecture and historical buildings: Belfast is always worth strolling through, even in dreary weather.
Modern architecture and historical buildings: Belfast is always worth strolling through, even in dreary weather.

Straight down the Atlantic coast.

The next day we board the Axor and head west on the Causeway Coastal Route. The road runs along the rugged coast of Northern Ireland for almost 200 kilometres. There are a couple of short tunnels, one is limited to 3.80 metres in height, and we just about squeeze through. As in Scotland, we have to make every effort to use the few hours when we don't get soaked from above.

All the same: It's enough for some short stops in villages and at a castle ruin. The Giant’s Causeway is a must: a stretch of coast with around 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns. It’s no wonder that numerous films and series have been filmed at the Giant’s Causeway, including "Game of Thrones". We take in the place on an early morning – without rain. Unfortunately, that was it for the good weather. We continue and hope for more sun across the border in the Republic of Ireland. 


4-Xtremes – The World Tour.

An unparalleled journey.

Andrea and Mike Kammermann have been on tour in their Axor for three years. "4-Xtremes – The World Tour" is the motto of the journey that the two Swiss nationals embarked on in mid-2020 and which they share with the RoadStars community. Keep up to date and don't miss out on any of the stunning destinations visited by the adventurous pair.

You can find the current parts from the “4-Xtremes – The World Tour” series here.

You can find the route of the trip before the crossing to South America here.

 


Photos: 4-Xtremes

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