It was alright when it left here.............

"The continuing adventures of Angela and Sarah..."


Some of you will no doubt be aware of my trip last weekend to Belfast to visit the Titanic Museum recently opened - I particularly apologise to my Facebook friends who by now must be feeling bombarded with photos and links - but hey - here's some more!!

The trip was organised in a very last minute way - feeling overly burdened with work over the last semester, my good friend Sarah and I decided that we needed a break. Initial thoughts turned to Ragdale Hall, visions of pampering, spa-ing and all round glowing filled our minds - then we saw the prices - ahem! we thought again!!

On the news the previous evening I had seen a report about the Titanic Museum opening (it being the centenary of the launch and sinking of this memorable ship) and decided that I must go and see it. I have had a fascination with the Titanic since being a child and some of my latent excitement was released at the thought of 100 years commemorations. On mentioning this to Sarah, who has had a soft spot for the city of Belfast since visiting last year for a conference, it was agreed this is where we should go - and when better than for the special weekend exactly 100 years after the fateful event. The trip was booked!!!

Flying EasyJet from Liverpool was a new experience for me - but one that Sarah had travelled before - so her insistence on hand luggage only became law!

Anxiety Number 1: I don't do travelling "light". I need to pack for all eventualities - not an irrational thought as some of you may consider but one born out of many experiences - notably the 2010 trip to Chile with Sarah where her suitcase never arrived and we had to share clothes  etc.

OK, I spent 10 days working out which bag complied with the measurements required for hand luggage, putting together a capsule wardrobe that enable me to a) travel, b) be warm and dry, c) be cool (if hot) d) be clean. Now, the reason Sarah and I make good travelling companions is that we both have the same energy levels. This means that, even though clothes were taken to change into for the evening - neither of us wanted to venture very far and we ended up next door to the hotel eating at 7.30pm and were back in the hotel room ready for bed by 8.30pm - no change of clothes necessary

Lessons learned 1: Even when packing light I take too many clothes. I could pack even lighter??

Day One: Arrival and The Troubles

The weekend arrived and the journey began at some unearthly hour - I had to de-ice my car it was that early! Satnav on, we made our way to the airport and the long stay carpark.

Anxiety Number 2: Sarah had entrusted me with all the documents of bookings etc (car park, flights, accommodation, museum entry) - had I got them with me? Phew - yes!

Lessons learned 2: Don't trust Sarah with documents was learned a long time ago 

Arrived at Car park and the barrier wouldn't let us in - Sarah in her best "what will you do for me now" voice spoke to the intercomm and the barrier magically raised.

Anxiety Number 3: what if my ID is not accepted (passport - why wouldn't it?), what if we miss the flight, what if our bags are not accepted as hand luggage?? What if the plane crashes.........


Breezed through into the departure lounge, had plenty of time for breakfast and then sauntered onto the plane - what was all the worry about!! Arrival at Belfast just as smooth, found the hotel no problem who even let us store our (small) bags with them before official check in. So, now for a wander around with Sarah as tour guide having been here before. First stop was down to the waterfront - a beautiful sunny day - but freezing - I was wearing the wrong coat and I was reeeeallly cold! Decided to brave it out.

Lessons learned 3: When packing light don't go for style over functionality 

St George's market opened at 10am and we made a beeline for there - charming place full of local artisans, food merchants and things to eat. Never one to refuse the opportunity for a coffee we proceeded to drink copious amounts whilst tasting "the best croissant I've ever eaten" (Sarah) - unfortunately there was no chance of taking a photo before it was unceremoniously devoured before my eyes). After a bout of people watching we made our way to the tours buses that go round the city and chose one of the many companies touting for business.

Although fine, it was still windy and cold, but as I wanted to take photos I insisted that we sit on the open deck at the top all the way round (90 minutes!). We were also the only 2 people on the bus and so our guide, Dara, sat with us and gave us a personal tour experience.

And what an experience.................




Belfast is a lovely city that has re-invented itself to become a very welcoming tourist destination. The "troubles" has formed part of the tourist trap - as has their pride in building the Titanic ("it was alright when it left here"!). What neither of us had realised is the impact that the troubles had taken on the city. We were shocked to see the peace wall - not only that it was there in the first instance, resembling something from Eastern block Europe, but that it is still there and still functional in that some of the gates are still locked at night. The graffiti is amazing and we were given the unique opportunity to stop at the wall and write something on it.


Lessons learned 4: Keep an open mind


Driving down both the Falls Road and Shankill Road felt wrong somehow - these are residential areas and we began to feel uncomfortable on a brightly coloured double decker bus gawping at the area - our guide assured us that this was OK - but a group of about 5 lads (aged about 13years or so) vocally made us aware how they felt about tourists!!! And who can blame them? This experience occupied much of our conversation through the rest of the weekend.

Needless to say after 90 minutes on the top of a bus had taken its toll and we were both freezing, so headed for The Garrick pub which had been recommend to us for a feast of Sausage and Champ (also recommended) which Sarah has since referred to as sausage and skank being unable to have the word champ in her memory. I then had to go buy a warmer coat!!!

Lesson learned 5: sausage and champ is delicious and just the thing to warm you up.

This was all too much excitement for us so we found our way back to the hotel, checked in and had a snooze for a couple of hours (well we had been up before the larks!). Then, after a (very quick) freshen up we went to the restaurant next door for a scrumptious meal (more food!!!! but we were on a weekend away so that's OK?).  Having packed light this was one of few trips that my trusty Kaftan had not made with me - so it was straight into bed for me - I would imagine that we were both asleep by 9.30pm and dreaming of more excitement for the day ahead.

Day Two: The Titanic


We had pre booked tickets for the 11am tour at the museum and so a leisurely breakfast was the first order of the day. With every best intention of eating fruit and yoghurt after the indulgences of the day before we ended up with a full Irish breakfast complete with soda bread - well it would be rude not to!!

Lesson learned 6: we both have limited  willpower when confronted by delicious food


After checking out, and again leaving our bags at the hotel we walked down to the tour bus again (our ticket was current for 48 hours) to hitch a lift to the Titanic Quarter. As soon as we entered the bus the driver insisted that we were sisters. No amount of denying this was acceptable - he even produced his own digital camera (??) and took a photo to prove how alike we look.



Anxiety Number 4: what is the bus driver going to do with the photo???


On the bus journey I suddenly remembered that I had left the ticket information for the museum in my hand luggage back at the hotel

Lesson learned 7: Don't trust Angela with documents either (see LL 2)

However, Sarah again put on her "what will you do for me now voice" to the cashier and 2 tickets were produced with no problem.

Lesson learned 8: take Sarah and her "what will you do for me now" voice with you whenever you expect a crisis


The museum had only been opened about 10 days but we were impressed by the staff, the resources, the atmosphere, the diverse experiences and the fact that the prices of entry, souvenirs and food was reasonable - nobody seems to want to rip you off!

It was fantastic! Cinema clips, photos, interactive experiences, rides, story boards, stories, mock ups, facts the whole experience from building the ship to the final sinking and inquests. It was hard to leave - but we had to to ensure we made it back to the airport and then home - exhausted but buzzing with the experience - it felt like more than 36 hours we had been away.



Lesson learned 9: Belfast should be proud of their achievements.







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