August 10-11, 2024
Belfast, Northern Ireland/at sea for Iceland

On day twenty-two we sailed into Belfast, our final stop in 
Ireland. Sue and I planned to go to the Ulster Museum, the
Botanic Gardens and St. George's Market. When we arrived
in the terminal, we received some advice ride service here.
There is Uber but a better option was Value Cab. They were
more efficient, clean and helpful and just slightly more cost.
Our cab driver was from Belfast and was very informative about it's history.

                                                                         We arrived just before the museum 
                                                                         opened so we took a short walk to 
                                                                         the Botanic Gardens. The nearby
                                                                         Palm House conservatory had opened and we could not
                                                                         resist browsing through the well-tended plants, some                                                                               hiding small sculptures.

After walking back to the museum, we found a small café inside,
so we had a pastry and coffee before continuing our tour. A guide
suggested that we visit a conference room on the side of the main
part of the museum. It contained a plethora of information about
the famous "troubles" depicted in historic art works. Much of the
information was also related to events similar to their "troubles"
in other parts of the world, including the United States. When we visited the main part of the
                                                             museum, even more detailed information was offered.

                                                              St. George's Market was our next destination. We hoped to be                                                                able to find a place there for lunch. It was very crowded and                                                                  the lunch vendors were mobbed. So, we decided to go up                                                                      to Stock Kitchen, a restaurant above the market, which was a                                                                  great find.

After lunch, we procured another Value Cab, with another friendly and helpful Irish driver who drove us back to Zuiderdam. We spent the afternoon playing trivia in Billboard Onboard while having a drink. Then we met Eric and Pegi for dinner in the Dining Room, where we talked about their Giant's Causeway excursion.

Day twenty-three was spent cruising back toward our next destination in Iceland.