Here we are! At the Giant's Causeway, named the 4th greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland.
Located along the northeast coast of Northern Ireland, it consists of over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. Created 50-60 million years ago by intense volcanic eruptions.
And here we are....two wee Canadian gals discovering the most amazing natural phenomena I have ever seen!
The North Sea over my shoulder. I kept watching to make sure the waves weren't getting too close.
Debbie is the best to humour me by taking pictures even if I am a 'wee weirdo.'
Might be a wee bit close.
The columns have a hexagon shape caused by an ancient volcanic eruption. Made of basalt which is found on the ocean floor. These columns occur when volcanic lava cools slowly to form what is technically called 'polygonal joint pattern.'
A remarkable view of the astounding coast.
Millions of years of being blasted by the North Sea some of the stones are worn down, with smooth edges. There are markers to keep tourists safe from getting wet or being washed out to sea. Heads up...they are quite slippery if they are wet. We did see a few have a tumble on the columns.
It is a MUST see if travelling to Northern Ireland. I just couldn't get over how many there are.
As well, huge boulders dot the beach from either the ocean or have come down from the cliffs above our heads or by glaciers.
On the other side of this wall of 'Causeway stones' Deb and I climbed to the top. (The picture with us together). But if you think they are slanted here (below).....on the other side you feel like you are climbing on a huge slant. Two guards helped us off after we climbed up. Neville and David....awesome, friendly Irish protectors.
I might have been one of those tourists who got too close to the marker line? That wave came up close. I am still a ways away at this point. I actually videoed a tourist getting wet from a HUGE wave that hit. Luckily he wasn't swept out to sea.
The waves on the North Sea on this day had to be over 20 feet high. Incredible sound of them crashing on the Giant's Causeway. Exhilarating to say the least.
There is wee Debbie (below) already at the top of this group of basalt columns. These are the ones that appear quite sideways as we climbed. In the red jackets are Neville and David. They carry a whistle and you hear it when someone gets too close to the water.
The Queens of the Causeway!
We climbed these??? Seriously.
A fantastic day. Exhilarating and beautiful.
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