This will probably be my most exciting and nerdy post of the entire trip. After the seriousness of last post, I wanted to lighten the mood by talking about the greatest day of my life: the Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland. Okay, I’m being a little dramatic but for a Thrones obsessor, it was fantastic. According to the tour guide, we were actually taking the same bus that the cast and crew used to be transported to the sites. First that came to mind:
I COULD BE SITTING IN THE SAME SEAT THAT JON SNOW HAS SAT IN. (Insert girlish scream)
For those of you who do not watch or do not care to know about the wonderful Game of Throne experience, please skip to the end of this post to read about our visit to Giant’s Causeway.
The first two places we drove by were “The Wall” which is the main camp for those who take the black, such as the lovely Jon Snow and the second was the rock where Ned Stark beheaded the ranger who abandoned the Night’s Watch (first episode of the show). These places we in the distance so I wasn’t able to get good pictures of them.
The next place we went to was the area where Westeros was filmed. This is the Stannis Baratheon and Lady Melisandre story line. We saw the area where Lady Melisandre’s boat arrived on the beach of Westeros and is met by Davos.
We then we able to go into the cave where Lady Melisandre (who happens to be my least favorite character on the show) gives birth to the shadow assassin.
After spending a little time taking pictures we got back on the bus and headed to Pyke, home of Theon Greyjoy’s father Balon, Lord of the Iron Islands. One of the scenes filmed here was the awkward first encounter Theon had with his sister, Yara, who he did not realize was his sister…. Acca-awkward!!!! (Pitch Perfect reference)
The last and definitely coolest place we visited was the Dark Hedges. These are snake trees spanning about one mile in Northern Ireland. Shockingly only one scene was filmed here…for 8 seconds. This is the King’s Road where Arya goes with the recruits for the Night’s Watch to escape King’s Landing after her father, Ned Stark, is beheaded.
Overall it was an amazing tour and it heightened my obsession for Game of Thrones. They already signed a contract for season 5 and 6! Woohoo. Okay I’m done now.
GIANT’S CAUSEWAY
Until actually being in Ireland, I had never even heard of the Giant’s Causeway. When I found out that we were going there for the last part of the tour I was like “Cool?”. I had no idea what to expect. The causeway is a group of interlocking basalt columns about 3 miles from the Northern Ireland town of Bushmills (yes, like the whiskey).
It was down pouring when we got there and apparently it take about 25-30 minutes to walk there even after we got off the bus. All I was thinking was that this better be amazing if I have to stand in the cold rain for am hour. Trust me, it did not disappoint.
On our bus ride to the causeway, our tour guide told us a story of how people believe the causeway came to be. Honestly, I didn’t pay much attention. I was having Game of Thrones withdrawals. From what I remember, there was an Irish giant named Fionn mac Cumhaill who was challenged by a Scotish giant to fight. Fionn built the causeway so they could meet in the middle of Scotland and Ireland.
A more believable story is that the causeway was created as a result of an ancient volcanic eruption. Whichever story is true, all I know is that the causeway was marvelous. I wish I could use so many more adjectives to describe it but I don’t know if I can think of enough. It was unlike anything I had seen before. The way the rocks formed, we were able to climb them like stairs to get to the top.
Hands down the most interesting day I have had on my trip so far. Even if you don’t like or watch game of thrones, the landscape of the tour was amazing all on its own.
Today we are headed to the airport for our final leg of our journey. ON TO SPAIN!
travelingtrainwreck 