A Fast Trip to Belfast (Part 1): No Way, It's the Giant's Causeway!!

- July 1-2, 2026, Wednesday to Thursday.

- It was a fast trip from Dublin to Belfast! Well, a two-hour train ride, that is. Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. Just to clarify, for some, although Northern Ireland is the northern part of Ireland (the island), Northern Ireland is geopolitically is part of the UK, and is not part of the Republic of Ireland. In a nutshell, the Partition of Ireland happened in 1921 when some parts of the island wanted to remain British, and others wanted to be an independent country. So yes, I was finally back in the UK, and the "borderless" transport between Ireland and Northern Ireland made everything smooth. I did not have to pass through any kind of immigration officer; I just hopped on the train and that was it!

- I walked through the city center to reach my accommodation called The Edge. It's actually a student flat with some units being available for short-stay bookings during the summer term. It's very near Ulster University, and is literally at the "edge" of the city center. It can honestly be a bit of a walk from here to everywhere else, but as far as this flat was concerned, I loved it so much (and it has air conditioning!!)

Assembly Buildings, headquarters of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. 

Belfast City hall.

Belfast has many intertwining shopping streets north of the City Hall. This part is somewhere in Corn Market, with the "Spirit of Belfast" standing in the middle.

Just to let you know I'm here haha.

This is my flat. Too bad I'm only staying here for a short time!

- Just like in Galway, my first day was spent out of the city. I booked a tour with GetYoutGuide to see the Giant's Causeway. But before that, we started our day by visiting Carrickfergus Castle. Carrickfergus is one of the oldest towns across the whole of Ireland. Its castle was built in the 12th century, and likewise, is one of the oldest and best preserved castles in Ireland. Although we were asked to only go around the castle as we didn't have time to go inside and explore, seeing the castle gave me some warmth in my heart. I've long known about the Irish folk song called "Carrickfergus", and for the longest time I thought it was some mystical place, not knowing that it a was very real place that I could visit - and that I WOULD be able to visit it one day. So there I was, singing the song in my head while staring at the castle (after taking my photos of course haha.)

Carrickfergus Castle.

Castle gate.

"I wish I was....in Carrickfergus....where the castle....looks out to sea...." (at least, this is how it goes in the Charlotte Church version. of the song.)

Memorial.

William of Orange (William III.)

- We later drove to Glencloy and visited Carnlough Harbour. It was a trading port in the 19th century, and has a nice view of the sea. More recently, it is known for being one of the filming locations of Game of Thrones.

Calm waters.

Do you know the Krusty Krab? Yes, this is what it really is: a lobster trap.

Another look at the habor.

So here is the scene in Game of Throne....

....and this is me.

- For lunch, we stopped over at Fullerton Arms. Although it appears to be a regular pub, it was one of the fortunate recipients of the wooden doors used in Game of Thrones! There are around eight of these doors all across Northern Ireland, often in the most unexpected of places.

Oh we also had a brief stopover at Portaneevey lookout. It is a protected zone for ecological purposes.

There is a rope bridge for those who want to make it down there.

Fullterton Arms, where they don't only serve good food, but also....

....they welcome you with this authentic Game of Thrones door!

- After lunch we headed to the Giant's Causeway. Basalt columns were naturally formed through volcanic activity millions of years ago. Legend has it though, that giants made these columns; why or who specifically made the columns depend on which legend you come across, as there are many stories surrounding this place. Be careful when walking around or climbing the rocks because the winds and the waves can be unpredictable!

They look like playdough.

Yes, everything is natural.

The mountain, clouds, and sunlight? - Unpaid actors.

Climbing the stones feels like being in a video game.

It was incredibly difficult to take nice photos with the columns - there was just a lot of people, and lot of wind!!

I am the giant.

- We had a brief stopover at Dunluce Castle, before dropping by at the Old Bushmills Distillery. Old Bushmills Distillery was established in the 18th century and is still producing some of the best whiskeys in Northern Ireland today.

Dunluce Castle, built in the 13th century, and has been abandoned since the 17th century from battles and storms.

Old Bushmills Distillery.

We didn't get to go inside the actual distillery, but we saw quite a bit going around the buildings.

Distillery buildings from afar.

- Finally, we dropped by a seemingly ominous place called the "Dark Hedges". The name comes from the road lined with beech trees, whose branches have seemed to intertwine, making the pathway a bit darker and shadier. This place only gained popularity after Game of Thrones used this as the "King's Road". Whether you're a fan of the series or not, it does make a nice backdrop!

Dark Hedges. "They're not hedges, and they're not dark," said our tour guide.

From this angle, they remind me of the "tree of life", an important symbol in Celtic culture.

Intertwining branches.

I think the movie was shot from this angle.

OMG ANOTHER DOOR!! This authentic Game of Thrones door can be found at The Hedges Hotel, which is where were parked and went to see the hedges. I was looking for the toilet when I saw this door.

Back in Belfast, I was looking for a toilet here at Victoria Square, a nice shopping center.

- We arrived in Belfast an hour or so after leaving the Dark Hedges. I got so much more than what I had hoped to see and experience in the tour. Although the Giant's Causeway is one of the main things people visit Belfast for, seeing Belfast itself is just as important - and that's the next on my to-do list! 

Vibrant Vietnam (Part 1): Icons of Saigon

- December 20-21, 2024, Friday to Saturday.

- Ah Vietnam! One of the Philippines' neighbors that I had longed to re-visit, especially after its recent tourism boom due to the now-available direct flights to central Vietnam (via Danang) from Manila. Known for its cheap-but-good food and shopping, rich cultural heritage (a blend of native, Chinese, and French cultures), and for those interested - its breathtaking natural wonders, what is not to like about Vietnam?

- Since this Christmas break the first one in a while when I could honestly breathe and rest a little, I decided to go ahead of my family by a couple of days and went back to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), also known by its former name, Saigon. The last time (and my first time) in HCMC was in 2012. I was there for a few days, and because my family was part of a tour, we didn't get to explore the city too much. That's why I wanted to experience the city by myself.

- After I arrived Friday evening, I went to my hotel (Adventure Hotel), which has an amazing location as it is beside the Ben Thanh Market. It's located inside an alley, but a well-lit residential one (with a few stores and another hotel too), so no worries. I didn't get to do much after checking in, apart from buying some necessities at the nearby 7-Eleven, so I called it a day and rested for my fully-packed adventure the next day.

The Heat is on in.... (if you get this reference we can be friends. If you sing along with me we can be super friends.)

Saigon's Tan Son Nhat International Airport reminds me so much of Manila's own NAIA.

My room. I love how cozy it is!

- Armed with excitement and a luggage full of aodais (the Vietnamese traditional clothing), I woke up really early and took photos with the city hall, completed in 1908. It's not often open to visitors as it is a government building. It does have a square in front with the statue of Ho Chi Minh, who was the first president of North Vietnam (when Vietnam was separated into two during the Vietnam War). Saigon was renamed to "Ho Chi Minh City" after the war ended in 1979 to honor Ho Chi Minh, who is seen as the father of the nation.

In front of the City Hall with my white and blue aodai.

Look at its (obviously) French influence.

Closer this time.

- In front of the city hall the long Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Plaza. It acts as a park of sorts, where people can stroll or do recreational activities. Apart from the City Hall, one of the most well-known buildings along the plaza is the Cafe Apartments. The Cafe Apartments, as the name says, used to be a residential building built in the 1960s, but now the all units have been converted to cafes and restaurants. For this day, I just took a photo in front of it (more about the Cafe Apartments in a future blog).

Cafe Apartments.

It looks nice at night too, but I didn't go to the plaza at night.

Interesting sight at the plaza: Left: uncles and aunties doing zumba, right: the youth doing some dance for Tiktok. 

- From the Cafe Apartments, I walked north, passing by 22 Ly Tu Truong Street (formerly known as the Pittman Apartments), was the residence and CIA office of US government officials during the Vietnam War. There was a famous photo taken by photographer Hubert van Es showing American officials lining up to board a helicopter at the roof to evacuate Saigon. (The building in the photo has often been mislabeled as the US Embassy, which it never was.)

Passed by the Pittman Apartments. This big label at the roofdeck makes it easier to identify. I wasn't able to check if the rooftop cafe was open, I could've had breakfast there.

- A couple of blocks further north are two of the buildings that Saigon is most known for: the Saigon Central Post Office, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Both buildings, located right in front of each other, were built in the late 1800s with European influences. The cathedral is currently under restoration works, and will be having its much needed facelift for a couple of years. Fortunately, the post office is is still open so at least I was able to go around it. Apart from a functioning post office, it also has a number of souvenir stores inside. There were also cafes around the post office (where I had breakfast).

Outside the post office with another aodai.

There were many Santas that day I don't know why. (But yes I do realize that it was Christmas season, though not sure if they had an event or something.)

Inside the post office.

The side transept of the Notre Dame Cathedral, since the cathedral's facade was covered.

See I told you.

- Though unintentional, I found out that the Nguyen Van Binh Book Street was located right beside the post office. Named as such since 2000, this small street is lined with bookstores and cafes. Though mostly Vietnamese books, there are also many English books available. The stores may also sell some unique souvenirs as well.

I love how these quaint bookstores look.

I actually did end up buying a book!

I bought the Ayurveda book. Almost bought the Hanuman cardboard book but didn't as it was pretty much a book for toddlers.

- Capping my eventual morning was a visit to the Independence Palace. Built in the 1960s as the residence, office, and function halls for the president of South Vietnam. After the North Vietnamese forces destroyed its gates in 1975 that ended the Vietnam War, the building gradually ceased being used as a government building and now functions as a museum. It shows various rooms such as function halls, living quarters, entertainment rooms, and my personal favorite - the underground bunkers (which I didn't get to photograph due to the crowds.)

At the Independence Palace.

Banquet Chamber.

Conference Hall.

President's Office.

Thank you random tourists for taking amazing photos of me.

This was from their other camera. Hoping there are more tourists like them: very nice, and can take amazing photos. HAHA.

Car used by the president.

- I went back to my hotel after going around the Independence Palace, freshened up, changed, and had a less-than-desirable banh mi for lunch. Afterwards, I headed to the War Remnants Museum to understand the effects of the Vietnam War more. The museum, opened right after the war in 1975, presents how war affects not just the political level, but also the civilian level. This museum was probably the one that really made me lose all motivation to sing all the Miss Saigon songs in Saigon (which, if you don't know much about it, shows a romanticized and western-leaning view of the Vietnam War - as catchy as the songs might be.) I actually have been to this museum in 2012 when I first visited Saigon, but I guess visiting it again was a good reminder of how things were like during the war.

Forgot to mention that I had a quick stopover at the Mariamman Temple near my hotel before lunch. It was built in the late 1800s, making it one of the oldest modern Hindu temples in Vietnam.

How the temple looks inside. As the name suggests, the temple's main goddess is called Sri Mariamman.

A few blocks later is the War Remnants Museum, just a block north of the Independence Palace.

The front yard has a grand display of old planes and tanks.

Bombs.

Prison.

Guillotine.

Inside the museum.

- Related to the war, I decided to visit Ca Phe Do Phu, in District 3. I realized upon that I visited the wrong branch of Ca Phe Do Phu: I visited Ca Phe Do Phu - Dai Han (District 3, but to the north of District 1, along Dang Dung Street) instead of Ca Phe Do Phu - Bao Tang Biet Dong Sai Gon (District 3, to the west of District 1, along Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street). However, Ca Phe Do Phu - Dai Han was a good "accidental" discovery. Built in the 1940s, this house eventually became a base of Saigon's secret forces during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. Today, the house/cafe seems to preserve its old-time look. However, it felt very eerie as I was the cafe's only customer when I was there.

The "wrong" Ca Phe Do Phu.

I had coffee and some biscuits as a snack. I didn't want to leave the cafe immediately. I'm glad I stayed.

Brings me back to the Vietnam War.

This "cute" house was a hideout!

Ground level.

- The cafe staff told me that I should find time to visit the other Ca Phe Do Phu, which offers a more immersive experience on how secret forces operated before. (I had to take a Grab bike because there is some distance between the two cafes.) Now this confused me because beside Ca Phe Do Phu is an actual historical house with a secret underground bunker. This one is free of charge. However, to go to the Ca Phe Do Phu bunker, one must pay a small entrance fee. I tried both anyway, because why not?  

Here is the secret weapon bunker beside Ca Phe Do Phu. Can fit in the hole on the floor omg.

That's the caretaker of the bunker.

So many weapons!

A diorama of the house + all the secret rooms.

Weapon stash that can be folded and used (disguised) as a table.

Left: Ca Phe Do Phu house. Right: secret weapon bunker.

Here are the Ca Phe Do Phu bunker.

From the basement level I had to climb this ladder to....

....the second floor sink! Yes I had to crawl out of that omg.

Looks like an ordinary house.

A cabinet that has a narrow passageway to the second floor.

- After a day of so much history, I asked another Grab bike to drop me off at the Ben Thanh Market for some shopping. The market was built in the 1800s, though the area as a marketplace has its roots in the 1600s. If shopping for souvenirs and clothing (especially traditional clothing), I highly encourage going to the outer ring where the government-run stores are (you'll notice that the area looks cleaner, and the staff wear uniforms). These stalls are all fixed price (no haggling!) BUT their prices are way lower than the main market area. However, the main market will definitely have more options. The market also has a dining area, just make sure to eat there during the earlier timers of the day as some of them close or will have limited food available around 6pm. (I found out the hard way, so I ended up having dinner in a restaurant outside the market).

Ben Thanh Market.

This is the main market area. See how crowded it is!

- I never thought my first full day in Vietnam would be a jampacked one since I thought I wanted to ease myself in the city. However, I'm glad I was able to see and do a lot at this point so I could have more time to take it easy or explore other areas of Saigon not originally in my plan - who knows? For sure, this was an amazing start to spending the holidays in Vietnam!  

**** Check out my other adventures from this Vietnam trip:

Part 2 - Cu Chi Tunnels and Evening Food Tour: here

Part 3 - Mekong Delta: here

Part 4 - French Influences in Saigon: here

Part 5 - Hoi An Must Sees: here

Part 6 - Hoi An Coconut Boat and Hoi An Impression: here

Part 7 - Da Nang: here

Part 8 - Hue: here

Part 9 - Bana Hills: here

Part 10 - Marble Mountains and My Son: here