Giant's Causeway

Giant's Causeway is a geological phenomenon consisting of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by an ancient volcanic eruption. The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the base of the cliff and disappear under the sea.

According to legend, the columns are the remains of a causeway built by a giant. The story goes that the Irish giant Finn MacCool was challenged to a fight by the much bigger Scottish giant Benandonner. Finn built the causeway across the North Channel, to Scotland, so that the two could meet. Finn outwitted Benandonner by disguising himself as a baby. Thinking that if a baby could be that big that the father must be huge Benandonner fled back to Scotland, destroying the causeway so Finn could not follow.

Across the sea, you can find the same basalt columns on the Scottish Isle of Staffa.

Giant's Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a very popular attraction. There were people everywhere exploring and climbing all over the columns. Due to my illness, I couldn't do much exploring. I just took a seat on one of the columns and enjoyed the fresh air.

Our tour guide told us that it was about a 15 minute walk down to the columns from the parking lot. One passenger grumbled that any time they say 15 minutes, it ends up being 3 miles. Lol. Because that is usually true, and because we had limited time, and I had covid - I opted to take the shuttle down (masked) to the beach for just £2 roundtrip.

If you're on a tour, I recommend taking the shuttle to maximize your time at the columns. Plus, it will take twice as long to walk out uphill.

Sadly, the person sitting in front of me on the tour bus, did not make it back to the bus on time. We even waited an extra 15 minutes before leaving without them! I have been on so many organized tours and this is the first time this has ever happened.

Our tour guide said it was his first time ever leaving anyone behind too. I can't imagine the terror of being left behind in a foreign country. Their belongings were still on the bus. They were traveling alone. Did they even have their wallet? How did they get back? What a nightmare!

Every tour I've been on always has the same constantly late people - don't let this be you!