Touring Northern Ireland in the Paddy Wagon :)

As part of our hostel we were offered a free tour today with Paddywagon tours. It went to carrick a rede rope bridge, the Giants Causeway and then Derry. Of course we decided to take it up!! As broke backpackers all they had to say was free and we would be in, regardless of where it went!!

We had an early start and breakfast before being picked up at 9.15am. We met Troy who would be our tour guide for the day. He was a real Irishman from north ireland, not some ring in tour guide with no idea, so that was good. During the first part of the trip to the rope bridge he talked and talked and talked. It was hilarious!! He was telling irish jokes, and little stories and things, then would be like "Where was I again... oh yeh, the rope bridge!!". He was saying what happens on tour stays on tour and how if any of us see him drinking through the day, we were NOT allowed to tell his boss!! Lol, or he would go all Liam Neeson (from taken) and use his life skills to hunt us down and kill us... Then he was making jokes about how he doesnt actually have a licence, as he failed 4 times. But hopefully he can pass next weeks test!! We were all laughing, but then nervously thinking, ummmm... this IS ireland, hes probably serious!!! lol

Some old man who clearly was too uncomfortable from the stick up his bum was complaining telling Troy to just be quiet and put some music on or something... but Troy basically made fun of him then continued with his jokes lol. Ohhh I love Ireland!!!

We got to the rope bridge and had about an hour a half to explore. We walked down to the island and crossed the bridge. It was insane. The water was crystal clear and the cliffs were so colorful. It looked like the carribean or something, but then in the background were these huge rolling green hills and sheep and houses. It was one of the most spectacular places ive been.

Next stop was the Giants causeway. It was another 'short walk' down to the actual causeway. But it was beautiful. All the walking is fine when Ireland is the backdrop. Its so easy to get distracted!! Once we got down the bottom we had a bit of a look around, got some photos and then decided to go back up to the pub :) The most interesting part of the causeway were all the tales and myths about how it was created. Officially it was due to a lava eruption, but there are irish myths about a Giant who fought a scottish giant... theres hundreds of different stories! Its fascinating.

After a real good irish stew and beer we all fell asleep on the bus on the way to Derry. Clearly I still havent caught up on enough sleep yet!! Once we got to Derry we were taken to the information centre to meet Rory, who would be our walking tour guide. It started raining almost as soon as the tour begun, but it wasnt too bad. Rory took us around to the old town, which is the walled city. He told us the history with catholics and protestants and why all the fighting begun. Then he told us more about the IRA and the real IRA and how all that came about. I had heard so much about the IRA but never knew why they fought until now. He said that at the moment it is 90% at peace, but the real IRA are still there and just as dangerous if not more dangerous than the initial IRA.

He showed us murals and memorials relating to bloody sunday which basically kicked off the 'troubles' in northern ireland. It was insane!!

Then it was a short trip back to the hostel. It was such a great way to start my travels through Ireland. So much history in this area!!

Once we got back we decided to head to the bottle shop. Again, I know ive said how cheap it is here... but we managed to get 8 half litre beers, and 12 breezers for 15 pounds!!! This is heaven here.

Were enjoying it so much we have decided to stay another night. We want a proper sleep in tomorrow and to have a free day to just wander around at our own pace. (Even if our bathroom light is blown, the shower floods and our room lock is dodgy...) who cares!! lol. Still loving ireland!!!!