Yes, more about London again. I know I have been shuffling back and forth with 2010 and 2012 in my recent posts. It is my perennial backlog, I’m ashamed to admit. But, aren’t we all guilty of broken promises at one time or another? Well, this year, I do want to make good on my resolution and absolutely stick to this travel blog of mine. I don’t want to simply upload published articles, travel photos or random thoughts just for the sake of it. In the words of a Brit, I bloody love travel and this blog is my unabashed declaration of it. So, be patient, as I make my way through the past and update this blog. Hopefully, I’ll be able to make this a proper blog, with regular posts and even specific features. Let’s see, okay? As always, I have a never-ending list of things I want to accomplish. Here’s to reminiscing great travels like the UK and cheers for a fine and amazing 2012. Wishing for big time travel, baby!

This seems so long ago. I really wish I can just jump on a plane right now and be somewhere new.

[in Expat Travel & Lifestyle magazine, The Humanitarian Issue]

“Goood morrning, me-nem is Allen.”

That was how the appellation announcement of our driver-cum-tour guide Alan sounded like in my head. And as he said it over the PA system, setting in motion the bus ride for Giant’s Causeway —one of the world’s top five most scenic coastal drives — I couldn’t help but grin. I was a sucker for accents, especially those spoken in this singular mash-up called the United Kingdom. The Irish tone (and the English, and the Scottish, but not so sure on the Welsh) amuses me particularly, just as all indicators that I’m in Ireland delight me: the vast green terrain; the drinking; an assortment of Mc-blank surnames; the drinking again; and the glens, loughs (pronounced as locks), and all their funny vocabulary, or even when they simply ask, “Are ye mad?”

Ye bet I am, I’d say. I went to Belfast didn’t I? Belfast, capital of Northern Ireland, is different from the other down to the southwest, which is Dublin – capital of the Republic of Ireland, which I daftly assumed was the same country. The two Irelands are not. The former belongs to the UK while the latter is a distinct nation, although both in the island of Ireland. Ye following? And among the token Irish things one can think of, Belfast connotes “The Troubles” or the IRA. That’s why in two reasons I’m thick in the head. Belfast is still new to being at peace.

This tumultuous history is most likely the first piece of knowledge a traveler will discover upon venturing here to the zone of U2 and leprechauns. For years, Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland have been divided between Unionists and Nationalists, escalating to violence around the 1960s, thus the aforementioned periodic name: The Troubles. One side, primarily Protestants, desired a permanent inclusion with the UK. The other, collectively Catholics, were pro-republic, longing to join the rest of Ireland. Complex layers of tension erupted in frequent paramilitary attacks from both sides: the provisional Irish Republican Army and the Ulster Volunteer Force mixed with the conspiratorial state security forces. Thousands of bombings, countless shootings, and a hunger strike enveloped the country until the ceasefire and 1998 peace pact dubbed the “Good Friday Agreement” ended the bloodshed.

Leaving the city for the countryside, a few colorful political murals whooshed past my window. I became enthralled with Belfast’s past and the visual artistry it unleashed, which included the myriad of flags strewn along lampposts and buildings still demarcating the polarized landscape. Alan rambled on about how tourism is the key elixir to revive his hometown, as evidence of construction and sparkly new buildings confirmed his statement. But, the architectural facelift cannot completely hide the vicious veneer.

Not that I wanted it to. The lesson is ingrained into public consciousness by these reminders. Besides, the atmosphere transforms into one of beauty soon enough. After stop number one at the 800-year old Carrickfergus Castle, the coastal road starts to turn into a boundary between the colors of life – the brightest greens and blues – that intensify as the gateway town of Larne opens up to an expanse of the nine glens of Antrim, and to the right, the Irish Sea. The glens reminded me of Batanes’ sloping fields and hedgerows, albeit not rugged. Glenarm, Glencloy, Glenariff, Glenballyeamon, Glenaan, Glencorp, Glendun, Glenshesk and Glentaisie – my untrained eyes could not tell one from the other. As far as I could see, gently rolling plains curved into hills, at times dotted with houses, or round packs of hay, or idle sheep. Nature had been kind here, creating a manicured lawn this portion of the planet. Had this been in the Philippines, Mr. Sy would surely have an SM block by each glen.

Giant’s Causeway, on the other hand, would have been a huge landscaping supply for some politician’s mansion. The main agenda of the tour is a geological marvel – the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland – consisting of 40,000 hexagonal columns interlocking like a tessellation. Occupying what would otherwise have been a long stretch of sand this side of the Atlantic, the stacks are visible on those imbedded on the surrounding plateau. The pattern and its quantity is so mindboggling that the Irish have a legend to rationalize the occurrence (as with everything else actually, they characteristically like telling tall tales, pun intended). A giant by the name of Finn Maccool supposedly built the Causeway to reach Scotland and fight another giant, but logically, the reason is due to volcanic activity eons and eons ago.

Whichever explanation, locals are immensely proud with their ‘eighth wonder of the world’. Causeway has always been their secret, said Alan. Now, they are stretching their arms wide open, to generate more foot traffic into the country, and remove the stigma attached to Belfast.

The next and last day of my Irish romping, my Aunt Vip (who is an expat there with her husband), grandmother and I decided to stick to the city, instead of trooping out to other counties. I, in particular, wanted to see more of the political murals. There were only a number left. According to my charming host and new guide (yes, I’m sucking up, please bring me back), these are already being covered up, allowing for a more progressive identity. One such section receiving development is the Titanic Quarter, a contemporary district bustling with business and residential buildings, a riverside entertainment district and a soon-to-open theme park based on the RMS Titanic. The infamous ship was built here by Harland and Wolff. Now, colossal cranes with H & W have risen up to the skyline, a modern reincarnation of what was once a flourishing shipping industry.

Downtown, as we walked back to the city center, we passed by the imposing landmark on Donegall Square, the City Hall, which also links to Royal Avenue – the main thoroughfare with major shopping malls and establishments. For a first timer, I appreciated the blocks of signs found along the roads or anything of note. I felt the whole of Belfast was one museum I could readily absorb. And finally, we reached the pièce de résistance, The Falls Road, with its collection of murals calling for an end to cruelty or commemorating an idol. Running parallel to it, but divided by a peace line to separate the Nationalist-Catholics, is Shankill Road, territory of the Loyalist-Protestants. A march of some sort had just ended and there was a swarm of people and litter on the streets. Almost everybody was drinking. But that wasn’t surprising, over at Falls, a hobo held a bottle of his own, like another group I spied later by St. Anne’s Cathedral. Each time, I was told not to draw attention. Random riotous acts still happen.

I wasn’t scared. Again, I may be daft, but that’s how it is. I am foolish to believe that these Irish will break the mold. The clash of the violent yesterday and the peaceful tomorrow will have its finality. For akin to the female figure at Thanksgiving Square, the future will emerge victorious – reconciled and unified.

FAST FORWARD >> Northern Ireland

\Flights

A number of airlines fly from Manila to Belfast via London (usually Heathrow). One can also opt to stay over in London for a few days before taking a connecting flight to Northern Ireland. Try RyanAir for cheap flights in and around Europe. 

\Time Difference

8 hours behind

Belfast: UTC/GMT -0 

\Dialing Codes

UK: 44

Belfast: 28 

\Exchange Rates (subject to change)

GBP 1 = PHP 68.69

\Weather

Prepare for lots of layered clothing. Not only is rainfall regular at this time, but temperature drops to below 10 degrees Celsius.

THE ROOM

Europa Hotel (Gt. Victoria St., www.hastingshotels.com) is an enduring icon that has hosted celebrities and heads of state. Located near the Grand Opera House, the high end hotel fitted with plasma TVs and Ralph Lauren beddings makes a great base to explore the city. Plus, every room has a rubber duckie. Hilton Belfast (4 Lanyon Place, www.hilton.co.uk/belfast) and Radisson Blu (3 Cromac Pl., Ormeau Rd., www.radissonblu.com/hotel-belfast) are other pampered options. 

THE GRUB

To get a real feel of local life and flavors, try St. George’s Market Bar & Grill (1/F, St. George’s Market, Oxford St.) for breakfast when action is aplenty. The menu is filled with gourmet produce such as Kilkeel crab claws, Glenarm organic salmon, etc. Also, how about chomping on award-winning Ulster fries and sizzling fajitas, beef and Guinness pie, or Dublin coddle? Brights (23-25 High St., www.brightrestaurantbelfast.com) has all these and more. Don’t forget to drop by one of the many pubs in the city as well. Go taste some local brews like Guinness, Harp and Magners.

THE SIGHTS

The country and capital are rich in history and excitement so you’re sure to never be bored. Tour around the Antrim Coast with McComb’s Giant’s Causeway Tours (www.minicoachni.co.uk) and along the way, go down at these stops: White Park Bay viewpoint, for a quick photo op overlooking peaceful, pure white shores; Bushmills Distillery, the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in Ireland, to order a hot toddy; Dunluce Castle, a majestic 17^th century castle perched on a cliff; and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, to court danger crossing that rickety connection traversing a 20-meter wide and 30-meter deep chasm. Salmon fishermen used to catch 300 salmon a day, while only 2 to 3 people fall per week. Kidding!

Around the city, follow the Titanic Trail, gaze at the preserved structure of the red brick Queen’s University, which is also near the too-pretty Botanic Gardens. Rest your sorry feet here for a while before continuing your way about town. There’s still plenty to see, shop, savor! For more, click on to www.discovernorthernireland.com or www.gotobelfast.com.

In the meantime, let’s see if I can get this blog on track.

Can I get this tomorrow? Please.

And even though this is not a travel post, this is about traveling and how I miss it so. Lately, I have had a growing ache about things and travel writing has been one of them. I miss it. I miss travel, even though I am in a different country and essentially it can be said that I am traveling each day that I am here. But it’s different, the travel of the unknown and to see an unfamiliar place, people, life and to simply be moved by it. To be moved so much that you try to capture it in words, but always fail to do so. And yet you still try. I love traveling, and I always will.

So to my friend for life and to this blog post that I read that has moved me to write about this passion for life, I shall try my best to update this blog and find a way to travel again.

Till then, dream, dream, dream.

*Thank you to Garance Dore for this inspiring photo and for her recent travels to my dream destinations, reminding me that it can be done.

As a cruise virgin, I was faced with stereotypes: one, a cruise is for old fogies; two, a cruise is blah central, and three, a cruise is nothing but contained stiffness. However, despite these hurdles, there is also that undeniable charm with the image of a colossal liner sitting majestically still on the ocean. Hence, amidst stark notions, I assented to the romantic and glamorous ideal. How could I not? Not only did I have a long-lasting affinity with the aquatic, but I was sure that this cruise ship christened as Norwegian Epic wouldn’t be close to resembling the trinity stigma.

True enough, reaching the port at Southampton, England for its maiden voyage (where RMS Titanic set off), I was faced with the immensity of the ship. There loomed one mass of horizontal block, a huge residential edifice with numerous tiny terraces jutting out. I could hardly see the ends where any boat would have its tapered sides. This newest and largest baby of the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) – a company under the Genting Hong Kong Limited group, which also handles Resorts World Manila and Star Cruises, and thus is considered as the third largest cruise operator in the world – is a 17-decker, 153,000-ton giant. Size befitting its name, surely the inside would as well.

Possibly the only lull in this fleeting vacation of grandiosity is the time for boarding. I followed the long line of passengers eager to board. So far, no retirees in sight. Thankfully, the procedure was relatively simple: the usual baggage scan followed by a ticket and credit check leading to a cabin key card. Then, cruise time – with the standard photo-op of course! The trouble though is lugging suitcases up the ramp.

Oh, but the surprise at entering that beauty! Wide open space filled with a bazillion of buzzing people, all bursting to party, walking around plush carpeting, some already sipping cocktails by the Atrium bar, lights everywhere signaling every nook and cranny to peek into, but the pièce de résistance is that screen of all screens, extending from floor to ceiling, showing U2 in concert. The next day it had the England vs. Algeria World Cup match – a riot! We were going to rock this boat.

The rooms are a doozy. My stateroom curved like a wave, yet maximizing utmost space, starting with the separate toilet and bath, to a plush couch, onto a more plush bed, and ending with my own private balcony. There’s also a whole array of others: spa staterooms, suites, villas, and studios—a first in the industry to accommodate solo travelers. In fact, this move is recognized by Time magazine’s, “What’s Next: Top 10 Travel Trends.”

More attention-grabbing is the fact that NCL boasts of freestyle cruising, pertaining to debunking all formalities for a do-what-you-want, when-you-want fun. There is no schedule to follow but your own. So following our whims, we began our overwhelming inspection of the Epic. Dining options? Dizzying. Amenities and everything else? Dazzling.

There’s the startling LED chandelier, the largest at sea; Epic Casino with 350 slot machines; and over 40 bars and restaurants offering popular cuisines in different decks, port and starboard. We missed devouring those juicy steaks at Cagney’s Steakhouse, too many guests wanting our exact plan. No biggie, we booked our reservations at Wasabi for some sushi, sashimi and yakitori lunch the following day, and headed for the Garden Café. It was the catch-all culinary haven, an overflowing smorgasbord.

And as if that wasn’t indulgent enough, majority of the ship’s international crew are Filipinos. Once they know you’re from the Philippines, you get the best service in the house. A couple of Caucasians dropped their jaws when in we came, sashaying across Spice H20, for that clubbing under the stars, and immediately got our mojitos pronto while they stood there begging to be noticed. Satisfied here, hop over to Bliss Ultralounge, where the all-around ambiance is ‘it’s so hip it hurts’, especially with that projector imposing revelers on the mist upon entrance. Wild!

The absolute epic? The Ice Bar. Based on the Ice Hotel in Sweden for that cool cocktail-sipping experience. A fur coat and pair of gloves is lent upon entering.
But lest you think the Epic only garnered its appellation for its absent sobriety, you’re dead wrong. Families are welcome too, with Nickelodeon At Sea and Recess, a kid’s area. Serenity searchers have the Mandara Spa and Salon, again the largest floating spa facility and fitness center. Finally, there’s the Aqua Park with two pools and three adrenaline-pumping slides that when put end-to-end rivals the upcoming 750-foot Heron Tower in London!

On our last night, back-to-back entertainment was on the offing: Cirque Dreams and the worldrenowned Blue Man Group. The former is a dinner show filled with awe, spectacle, and some bootylicious acrobats. The latter is quite another extreme, full of paint, shock, and moments that are one-time inane and the next thoughtprovoking.

The Epic does not let up. There is so much to get anyone pumped up – from jazz club to comedy shows – that it’s to each their own kick. It kind of seems pretentious then that I came here for the ocean, because to be honest, I forgot about it. Wait, did the ship even move?

Thanks to NCL for the first photo. To download a copy of the article featured in Expat, click on the Norwegian Cruise Line in my Wanderlist page.

There are many reasons why people consider London their favorite city. It’s not mine (that title goes to Venezia) but it is one of the cities I do love. Here are my little, unusual reasons (besides the British accent):

1. Picadilly Circus, because it’s the opening scene of Bridget Jones’ Diary and I just really like that movie. (Colin Firth!!!)

2. As with all of Europe, I am enamored with their architecture.

3. West End! Les Miserables. This play will always be special thanks to our first ever full-on play in high school. Guess who I was?

4. Pubs! Pubs! Pubs! I wish there were pubs here in Manila (not just Murphy’s) that I can regularly go to. I don’t know why I like it, might be the cozy but rough interiors, the barkeep, or the steak pie!

5. This is so peculiar and I love it. I was surprised to see Brits lying on the grass at the middle of the day, simply sunning themselves. It was as if they stepped out on their lunch break to have a moment of vacay. It must be because they usually have dreary weather or they love their parks and outdoors.

6. I love London for all its token English icons: the red double-decker bus, London cab, red phonebooth, red round post box, and the list goes on. Most of all, I love London for the monarchy. Admit it, we’re fascinated with royalty!

Cheerio for now dahlings, till the next London post! Ta-tah!

My gaaaaad! What can I say about this post? Um, totally unimaginable? I always have things I want to do: for the day, for the year, etc. etc. I just didn’t have London or the UK peg for 2010. Thank you Universe! Back in Europe after 7 years. Primarily for a press trip of a new cruise but who am I kidding? I”m here for London, UK, and Euuurope! Take a look at these select photos and drool! Sometimes, I just get lucky.