Ireland and I have a weird history together. The first time I visited, I came away insisting that I felt little desire to return. That sentiment didn't last, obviously. Not even a year later and I threw caution to the wind and back to the Emerald Isle I ventured. I was already abroad in Scotland for the holidays, so the travel there was a hop and a skip, literally. So, I threw some spare cash together and embarked on my second time across the Irish Sea.

The bad news is that the Republic of Ireland didn't change my opinions much from my last visit. The good news is that Northern Ireland (country number 9 on my European hit list) was absolutely brilliant!

Northern Ireland, particularly Belfast, is full of anger and subdued hostility - you can feel it in the heavy air that lingers over the city. The massive unionist vs. nationalist divide is still a prominent part of their daily existence. The "peace walls" that stand proudly in West Belfast stand for everything but peace. The troubles that not long ago affected these people cannot (and should not) be overlooked. But beyond the dark, there is so much light to see in Belfast City. This lovely capital is where Irish and British culture mesh together gorgeously (if not always peacefully). The architecture in the city center is some of the prettiest I've seen in ages - everywhere you look you see beauty. The city is a perfectly walkable size and the people are outstandingly friendly. People will just walk up to you and have a chat with you walking down the street and that really appeals to my extraverted nature.

I toured the city on a hop-on-hop-off bus and had the delight to drive past the famous "Leaning Tower of Belfast," an old clock tower that has an irreversible lean to the left. I saw old churches, shopping streets, and most famously, the shipyard that crafted The Titanic! An accomplishment of NI's that took me completely by surprise. On the pier where the boat once sat there now sits a memorial and museum for all those who care to learn more about what's-known-as one the greatest tragedies in nautical history.

It was a true shame that I only gave myself a day in this lovely city because I was not ready to leave when it was time for my train to depart the next day. One Belfastian man who I was able to converse with briefly explained that many people experience the same sadness that I did and that he can't understand why so many people die to visit Dublin and only deign to visit Belfast. Regrettably, I fell right into that same trap. Northern Ireland has always been a country at the bottom of my to-see list for many reasons, but in hindsight, I'd not only return in a heartbeat, but I wish I'd seen it so much sooner. If I can leave those who are interested with any kind of advice, don't overlook Northern Ireland - you'll regret it just like so many of us have. Northern Ireland was a welcomed surprise and now proudly has a place not only on my list of favorite places to visit, but also a place in my heart.

On my way back out of the United Kingdom, I took a coach tour north to the Giant's Causeway. Legend has it that long ago there lived a giant that used to love to fight other giants for pride. He ran out of Irish opponents, so he built a rock bridge from Ireland to Scotland to find himself other giants to defeat. Once in Scotland, he heard of a Scottish giant that was far too big for him to take on, so he returned home and devised a plan with his wife where she would dress him up as a giant baby in order to scare off the antagonized Scot. Once across the bridge, the Scottish giant saw the giant baby and thought that if the family's baby was that large, the father must be well out of his reach and he retreated home, destroying the bridge on his way back. And there my friends, is how the Giant's Causeway was created. In reality, it's just a section of basalt rock from a volcano eruption that hardened in hexagonal shapes when it hit the ocean, but who wants to hear that story when the other one is so much more interesting?

The Causeway was breathtaking and so much fun to explore! A little slippery, but in my #BeanBoots, I fear nothing. These cool rocks have been featured in #GameofThrones among many other things, but they didn't only impress because of their #celebstatus. They were all-around one of the most exciting places I've ever beheld. I spent forever walking around taking photos and avoiding being washed or blown into the aqua-blue sea. Whatever the cause - be it volcano eruptions or giant's bridges - the Causeway does not fail to impress. Definitely a must-see place for anyone venturing north in Ireland.

During my time in the north, I also had the privilege of visiting the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge in County Antrim, NI. It's exactly what it sounds like it would be - a rickety old rope bridge suspended over 100ft off the ground that (if you're brave enough) you can cross over and gain access to a small island off the coast. Of course I wasn't going to let this amazing opportunity pass me by (unless I chickened out, of course). In the end, despite the gale-force winds and rain, I put on my big girl pants and crossed the bridge. #adrenalinerush

Before and after my many adventures in NI, I had my hands full in Dublin and Limerick. I made it my mission to cross the country a bit and see all that Ireland had to offer. I had a few drinks, did a bit of sight-seeing, and just generally enjoyed my own company. In a way, I'd say I found myself in Ireland. In the end, I caught a nasty cold and spent my last evening #bingewatching #FreshMeat in the hotel room and that might have even been one of my best evenings ever.

If I had to sum up both of my experiences in Ireland I'd say something like this: tons of history, beautiful scenery, wonderful food and even better coffee, (somewhat) questionable people, but two all-around interesting and very different countries worth seeing.

In my previous post I explained that I was hopeful that Ireland and I would have a future together. Last time around the Republic of Ireland is where my strange tale began. But this time, thanks to Northern Ireland, I think I found my happy ending.