Before I took on this assignment, I have only heard of Dublin and Ireland, not Belfast.
This is the first time I am in this Northern part of Ireland.
But when I first left the Belfast International Airport, I felt a strong feeling of peace and serenity in Belfast. It was all farm and cottages, until I reach the city center.
There is no better and faster way to explore the small city than the City Tour bus ride. The tour costs no more than 5 sterling pounds. You can find their salesmen scattered across major tourist attractions in Belfast. The service is a hop-on-hop-off, but having to wait an hour for the next ride is tad long, unless you decide to visit the royal grounds.
This is the Odyssey Arena where it houses a huge ice-skating rink.
This is the site where the Titanic was built. It will soon be a Titanic Museum in 2012, to mark the anniversary of the sinking of the historic cruise liner. In the earlier days, Belfast was a thriving ship-building industry, where many huge commercial ships and war ships were built here. However, Belfast today is no longer involved in ship building.
The bus ride brings visits around the suburban regions of Belfast city.
The Imperial Grounds.
The murals in Belfast are beautiful and tells the story of Belfast's politics, history and culture.
Today, Belfast is much more peaceful than her earlier days.
An iconic steel sculpture stands on the bridge.
The Grand Opera House is currently screening the story of George Best, a football legend.
There is the Berlin Wall in Germany.
Belfast has its own Peace Wall which served a similar purpose of keeping peace among the once divided population of Catholic and Protestant. Today, the Peace Wall which sits in Shankill region, is a legal graffiti wall. During my visit, the government of Belfast has stopped the opening of the gates on these walls.
Tourists will leave a message of well-wishing for Belfast, on this part of the wall.
More murals scattered in the city of Belfast.
After the bus ride, I was back on High Street. Since it was Sunday, majority of the shops were closed. I was able to find a cafeteria sitting on High Street where I had a scone and latte for lunch, costing me around 3 sterling pounds.
Within walking distance, I found myself on Victoria Street.
Victoria Square is one of the few shopping malls in Belfast.
The mall is not very big, but has the essential shops to satisfy your shopping needs.
Climbing up to the viewing dome of Victoria Square.
Back in the streets.
Belfast City Hall marks the center of Belfast city. The City Hall is open to public where locals just relax and enjoy its open grounds out in the sun.
A bit more of Belfast City. The city is small and not complicated at all, with only a few iconic sights scattered within walking distance. Many buildings are free admission, but operates only during office hours.
For complete image gallery,
friends please check out multiply.
Photography by William Tan
Copyrights Reserved 2010
This is the first time I am in this Northern part of Ireland.
But when I first left the Belfast International Airport, I felt a strong feeling of peace and serenity in Belfast. It was all farm and cottages, until I reach the city center.
There is no better and faster way to explore the small city than the City Tour bus ride. The tour costs no more than 5 sterling pounds. You can find their salesmen scattered across major tourist attractions in Belfast. The service is a hop-on-hop-off, but having to wait an hour for the next ride is tad long, unless you decide to visit the royal grounds.
This is the Odyssey Arena where it houses a huge ice-skating rink.
This is the site where the Titanic was built. It will soon be a Titanic Museum in 2012, to mark the anniversary of the sinking of the historic cruise liner. In the earlier days, Belfast was a thriving ship-building industry, where many huge commercial ships and war ships were built here. However, Belfast today is no longer involved in ship building.
The bus ride brings visits around the suburban regions of Belfast city.
The Imperial Grounds.
The murals in Belfast are beautiful and tells the story of Belfast's politics, history and culture.
Today, Belfast is much more peaceful than her earlier days.
An iconic steel sculpture stands on the bridge.
The Grand Opera House is currently screening the story of George Best, a football legend.
There is the Berlin Wall in Germany.
Belfast has its own Peace Wall which served a similar purpose of keeping peace among the once divided population of Catholic and Protestant. Today, the Peace Wall which sits in Shankill region, is a legal graffiti wall. During my visit, the government of Belfast has stopped the opening of the gates on these walls.
Tourists will leave a message of well-wishing for Belfast, on this part of the wall.
More murals scattered in the city of Belfast.
After the bus ride, I was back on High Street. Since it was Sunday, majority of the shops were closed. I was able to find a cafeteria sitting on High Street where I had a scone and latte for lunch, costing me around 3 sterling pounds.
Within walking distance, I found myself on Victoria Street.
Victoria Square is one of the few shopping malls in Belfast.
The mall is not very big, but has the essential shops to satisfy your shopping needs.
Climbing up to the viewing dome of Victoria Square.
Back in the streets.
Belfast City Hall marks the center of Belfast city. The City Hall is open to public where locals just relax and enjoy its open grounds out in the sun.
A bit more of Belfast City. The city is small and not complicated at all, with only a few iconic sights scattered within walking distance. Many buildings are free admission, but operates only during office hours.
For complete image gallery,
friends please check out multiply.
Photography by William Tan
Copyrights Reserved 2010
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