Backin' Belfast

Belfast has seen some tough times over the years, but you'd be surprise to know that it's rated as one of the "Destinations on the Rise" by Trip Advisor. Between the MTV Europe Music Awards being held here in 2011, Rihanna shooting a racy music video that got the world's attention, Games of Thrones being filmed in the Titantic Studio, and Holywood (with one "L"), the #1 golfer, Rory McIlroy's hometown, just outside of the city, you can understand why people are "Backin' Belfast!"

Gerald and I had to go there to get our visa renewed so we decided to make a weekend out of it and sure glad we did. We heard the visa process was going to take a long time so we were prepared. When we arrived at the UK Border Agency 30 minutes early, he told us to go get a coffee and come back in 15 minutes, in his Irish accent of course, so we didn't get it the first time and still tried to go in, but he refused us again. So strict! Well, when we got in, we could see why we didn't want to wait in that cold, white room for too long. Anyhow, my bag was full of snacks and our iPads to prepare for the long wait, only to be confiscated (no electronics and liquids allowed!). We got in, paid the fee, took some pictures and fingerprints, waited a few minutes and was out of there within in an hour. Score!

Now, it was time to explore Belfast! I didn't really know what to do, so started researching things and this is what I came up with...

Victoria Square - newest shopping center in town, with restaurants and shops all around. G-man needed his haircut so this was our first stop.  

One of my favorite shops in Ireland - Avoca

Grand Opera House - Sleeping Beauty was on, so we decided to check out the beautiful theatre

Drinks waiting for us during intermission! This is genius, you pre-pay for your drinks, they give you a number, and during intermission, you just go and grab it. We really got the coke but took the champagne instead...haha, just joking! People are so trustworthy here, I love it! Now, you can actually have time to use the bathroom =)

St. George's Market - the market runs every Friday - Sunday, selling fresh fish, meats, produce, food, sweets, and local crafts! We loved this place so much, we went two days in a row. I would love to live in a city with one of these markets. 

Duke of York - where Snow Patrol first played back in 1998! also, one of the oldest bars in town with one of the largest stocks of Irish Whiskey (they spell whiskey with an "E" in Ireland, the Scots, without.) P.S. the Guinness does taste better in Ireland!

The Crown Saloon - only bar owned by the National Trust. a true Victorian style bar.

Doors to your private sitting area

City Hall - this building definitely stands out in the town of 280K. this is where the St. Paddy's parade started

That's pretty much all we had time for in Belfast City, but stay tuned for our bus trip out to the Giant's Causeway and our Titanic Experience! Also, I can't forget about all the yummy food we ate, so I'll be sure to share that with you as well =)