Belfast - Day 1

Got up extra early to catch an 8:30 am flight from Glasgow to our next destination, Belfast. It was easy to get to the Glasgow airport. Just a 15 minute walk to the bus terminal and then a direct AirPort Express to the airport. On arrival in Belfast we caught a bus from the airport to the city centre. We had all our luggage with us and several hours before we could check in so we found a “Bounce” drop off office close by and left our luggage there.
Over the next several hours we did what we like to do when we arrive in a new location: we walked around. It’s always enjoyable taking in the new sights. We walked through the shopping district, along a pedestrian mall, past the iconic Belfast City Hall, the leaning, Albert’s clock tower, White’s pub (dates back to 1642) and went to George’s Market to look at the many vendors and the interesting things they were selling. We also grabbed a lunch there.
After lunch we continued to explore the city on foot, eventually making our way back to the Bounce office and then to our accommodations, which were not far away. Once rested we decided to go to a grocer and get some food for dinner. Unfortunately, on the way out, we couldn’t seem to get the door to lock. In the process of trying to do so we broke the key and the broken part was now stuck in the lock with only a teeny bit protruding.
I called the owner who said he’d come down with a spare key, but didn’t have tools to get the broken piece out. While he was trying to locate tools I tired in vain to remove the broken key with tweezers, Then, I saw a neighbour down the street and asked if he might have a pair of pliers I could borrow. He did have and I was able to pull the broken key piece out of the lock. I called the owner back to let him know and he arrived soon after with a replacement key. He showed me that there was nothing wrong with the key or lock on the door. All I had to do was hold up the handle on the door while turning the key in order to lock it. I suggested that he might want to put that instruction in the welcome booklet as most North American travellers would not know to do this!もっと詳しく