A Second Fast Five for the Week! We're off to Ireland and Northern Ireland!

 Yes, I do know how different Northern Ireland and Ireland are.  I'm well traveled.  I just spent some time this week learning a little bit about both and thought I would mention some gems of ideas for when you might visit the area.  Both are great places to road trip, so here's some little gems.

1.    Kilfenora Cathedral and the Crosses, Kilfenora, County Clare, Ireland.   Kilfenora is along the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the most beautiful drives in the world.  The tiny town is home to the Kilfenora Cathedral, finished in 1058 and is part ruins, part UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It's famous for it's crosses.  In particular, the seven Celtic Crosses that date back as far as to the ninth century.

I mention this one because it's along such a great road trip route.  To be honest, it's right on a map you can either get on your phone or in a tourist center along the way, but I love Celtic stuff, and this is a phenomenal site if you're interested in ancient Celts.

https://kilfenoraclare.com/kilfenora-cathedral-and-crosses/

https://heritageireland.ie/unguided-sites/kilfenora-cathedral-and-high-crosses/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1028040-d266546-Reviews-Kilfenora_Cathedral_Crosses-Kilfenora_The_Burren_County_Clare.html

https://clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/archaeology/kilfenora_stone_crosses/doorty_cross.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zUVU-K2nEY

2.    The Titanic Museum, Belfast, Northern Ireland.  If you've never heard of the Titanic, I can't help you.  However, it was built in Belfast.  It sailed from Southampton, England, but it's origin is in this fascinating, and sometimes controversial city.

Anything you ever wanted to know about the defunct luxury ship you can find out in this museum.  They have displays, artifacts, reproductions, interactive exhibits, and anything you can imagine about the now sunken ship.  It's one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, so you will want to reserve a spot ahead of time for your timed entry.  Adults can enter for around 25 pounds and children and seniors for less.  There are other optional tour items that are extra.  The hours run most days from at least 9 to 6, but check the schedule online, because they have special days that they aren't open and the hours can vary off and on.

https://www.titanicbelfast.com/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186470-d2322884-Reviews-Titanic_Belfast-Belfast_Northern_Ireland.html

https://www.ireland.com/en-us/things-to-do/attractions/titanic-belfast/

https://www.irishtourism.com/the-titanic-museum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2WLn40en4M

3.    Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.   Most people I know have heard of this spot.  It's a fantastic stop along the wild west coast on any number of fabulous road trips in Northern Ireland.  

Where do I start?  This UNESCO World Heritage site covers a park of roughly 70  Hectares along the coast.  About 600 million years ago there was a volcanic eruption, and when all was said and done the area was covered with around 40,000 polygonal basalt rocks.  It's really that simple.  However, it is one of the coolest volcanic views you'll ever see, and while there are a couple of other places in the world you can see stones like this; this is the one to see while in Northern Ireland.

The Park is open dawn to dusk most days and there is an entrance fee of 14 to 15 pounds, depending on when you visit.  Children and seniors are less.  There's a lovely visitor's center on site as well and plenty of parking for your road trip car.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/giants-causeway

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/369/

https://www.ireland.com/en-us/things-to-do/attractions/giants-causeway/

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/ireland/northern-ireland/giants-causeway/attractions/giant-s-causeway/a/poi-sig/1451691/359805

https://www.viator.com/Belfast-attractions/Giants-Causeway/d738-a680

4.    Mussenden Temple, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.   This great spot is another wild one along the northwest coast of Northern Ireland, south from Giant's Causeway.  The temple is the round building that sits on the cliff.  The temple is not open to the public, so this is a stop along a road trip.

The temple was built in 1785 and is part of the estate of the Earl Frederick Augustus Hervey.  There are some other ruins to look at on the property, and oh my, the view.  The temple sits on top of 120 foot high cliffs overlooking the sea.  It's a great view and is one of the more photographed sites in Northern Ireland.  

https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne-p675701

https://www.ireland.com/en-us/things-to-do/attractions/mussenden-temple/

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne/history-of-mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne

https://trenchfarm.com/attraction/mussenden-temple/

https://www.causewaycoast.guide/locations/mussenden-temple

5.    Take a Speed Boat Tour along the North Coast, Northern Ireland or the coast of Ireland.  It may not resonate with those who haven't spent time in the north close to the Atlantic, but it's wild up there.  More and more Speed Boat Tours have become popular in these areas.  It's a wild ride with some of the most amazing scenery you'll ever see.

Northern Island and Ireland have joined the parade of boat tours over the years and you should check out the option of a speed boat tour.  There are several companies to choose from, and different ports of call to leave from, visit  and so on.  If you decide to take a road trip along the coasts of these countries, you should really think about a speed boat tour along the way.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g186469-Activities-c61-t190-Northern_Ireland.html

https://abhainncruises.com/

https://www.viator.com/Ireland-tours/Jet-Boats-and-Speed-Boats/d56-g17-c107

https://www.northernirelandworld.com/whats-on/things-to-do/8-great-boat-trips-to-take-across-northern-ireland-4105516

https://www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/things-to-do/strangford-lough-boat-tours-p762421

There you have it.  If you choose to take a road trip along the coast, into the wilds of Ireland, or Northern Ireland, these are some ideas of things to do.  Both countries are known for their wild side, and the views off the coasts are stunning and might just leave you speechless.  Be aware, they are two separate countries; one is not a region of the other and they are separated by a body of water.  If you love the outdoors, road trips might be for you and there's no better place to take one than in Ireland or Northern Ireland.  So, if you're feeling it, rent a car, pack your bags and enjoy!

This Week's Fast Five Goes to China!

 I've been seeing and reading a lot about China lately, and I thought I'd share some interesting stuff that I've learned.

1.     Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China.   In my generation, this was one of the most notorious locations in the world.  Circa, May 1989, protests; mostly students, became a daily event in the square.  Most sources agree that the protests started with the death of Hu Yaobang, a progressive Chinese Communist Party General Secretary.  Over the course of a few weeks, things festered, coming to a head on or about June, 4th.  The government deployed troops to the square where many people protesting died.  The numbers were never verified.  Hundreds to thousands of people died starting on that date.

Fortunately, things have both changed and remained the same in Beijing, and although it's still monitored by guards today, the square is open to the public and is still the largest public square in the world.  You should make a reservation to enter and bring your passport for security.  Viator and other tour companies can help you arrange a visit.  

While there you can visit the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and Monument to People's Heroes, and Quianmen Gate.  It's also adjacent to the Forbidden City.  You can reach the square easily by subway and there is no charge to enter the square itself.  Other attractions on site may charge an entry fee.  You should always have reservations for attractions in this area.

If in Beijing, which is more and more uncommon all the time, but still possible if you're adventurous, this is a historic site not to be missed.

https://www.viator.com/Beijing-attractions/Tiananmen-Square-Tiananmen-Guangchang/d321-a164

https://www.getyourguide.com/tiananmen-square-l4269/viewing-points-tc238/

https://wildgreatwall.com/make-reservation-tiananmen-square/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g294212-d28018660-Tiananmen_Square_Entry_Reservation-Beijing.html

https://www.history.com/topics/asian-history/tiananmen-square

2.    The Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China.   This is another great historic site in the city.  Not far from the Forbidden City, this is a Taoist Temple that was originally designed to use to be thankful for a successful harvest.  Sacrifices were done at the site for the God of Heaven, although not anymore.  Visitors can visit the grounds, but need a reservation and a ticket ranging from $4 to $7 to enter the building.

Once again, this site can be visited easily by subway and is open during daytime hours.  It's beautiful, ancient, and a great place to take photos.  So, once again, if in Beijing; add this stop to your itinerary.

https://www.chinahighlights.com/beijing/attraction/temple-of-heaven.htm

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/beijing/temple-of-heaven-park-and-dongcheng-south/attractions/temple-of-heaven-park/a/poi-sig/1106060/1333765

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294212-d311534-Reviews-Temple_of_Heaven-Beijing.html

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/881/

https://www.historyhit.com/locations/temple-of-heaven/

3.    Pipe Street, Hutongs of Beijing, China.  Known as Yandaixie Street, it is a 232 meter Hutong.  A Hutong is a narrow alleyway or street.  That being said, it's a beautiful part of the old town of Beijing.  Historically, there were a lot of tobacco shops and places to smoke and buy pipes on the oldest business street in the capital.  Today, its got great architecture and old world charm.

Today, it's a great place to go shopping.  It's geared for tourists, so you'll find a lot of souvenir type shopping and great local food.  It's a must see if you're in Beijing, and it's a lot of history.  Who knows?  You might even get to buy some tobacco and a pipe.

https://www.chinadiscovery.com/beijing/yandaixie-street.html

https://english.visitbeijing.com.cn/article/47OOqDfLDWN

https://www.viator.com/en-GB/Beijing-attractions/Yandai-Byway/d321-a18694

https://ruqintravel.com/china-destination-guides/yandai-xiejie-street/

https://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/beijing-travel/night-view-of-yandai-byway

4.    What is Alipay and how do I use it?   There's a lot of different ways to pay when traveling, and Alipay is the most popular Chinese way to pay, or tap if you choose.  Alipay is an app and while in China, it's your best way to tap, pay and go.  Your American and most other credit cards won't work in China, and Alipay is way more convenient than cash in today's economy.

There have been rumors about the Chinese stealing your personal information, but I hear that about everything Chinese, and I've never encountered a problem.  Neither has anyone I've ever known who's traveled to China.  Decide for yourself.  If you're that paranoid about it, maybe you shouldn't be traveling in China in the first place.

But, you can download the app while in the country and load it and use it for just about anything.  You can pay for merchandise, subways, trains, food, services like Uber and on and on.  Just a great way to navigate conveniently in China.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eg.android.AlipayGphone&hl=en_US

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alipay-simplify-your-life/id333206289

https://www.alipayplus.com/pay-in-the-chinese-mainland

https://wise.com/us/blog/what-is-alipay

https://www.registrationchina.com/articles/how-to-use-alipay-app-to-help-foreigner-visiting-china/

5.    Ride the HSR throughout China.  The HSR is High Speed Rail.  China has one of the most extensive high speed rail networks in the world.  You can go all over the country and it's a big one.  You can buy business class and first class seating or just ride like a normal person.  Also known as bullet trains, they started in Beijing and eventually oozed out all over the country, so the prices start at around $5 for a local trip to Tiananmen Square or so and go up from there.  You can travel across the country for around $200 one way in regular seating on the right train at the right time.

Riding trains is one of my favorite pastimes.  I love the scenery, the experience and the fact that I don't have to drive.  I imagine that driving in China is anything from overly complicated to just plain impossible as a visitor, so riding a bullet train sounds like a great way to get out and move about the country.

https://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/high-speed/?srsltid=AfmBOopyO5Id63z8vfcIkOL53say-PVNjmFPTZ0ONw2bWYn8f_PH-mIc

https://wildchina.com/2023/11/chinas-trains-a-comprehensive-guide/

https://seeingtheworldinsteps.com/2024/09/12/spicy-panda-china-fuxing-high-speed-train-business-class-review-hsr-trains-chinarails/

https://www.newsweek.com/china-high-speed-rail-miracle-1924185

https://www.statista.com/topics/7534/high-speed-rail-in-china/#statisticChapter

There you have it.  Some random, but hopefully helpful information about visiting China.  It's one of the most exotic locations that we as Americans may visit someday, and I find it fascinating.  Always remember, the people of a country are not the politics of their country.  Most people are fabulous and you'll be happy that you took the chance to go to a country that we as Americans are normally warned about.  Travel is education, and education knows no boundaries and should know no fear.  I know people who have traveled in China just a few years ago, and they had an exceedingly memorable trip and made friends that they're still in touch with today.

Remember, you only have one life to live and there's a whole world out there to see.  Travel to learn.  Travel to enjoy the wonder of it all.  Travel for the experience and enjoy!