A weekend in Belfast

It was a rushing week, with full of meetings and reports to rush to. You know how it is, moving up and about to get things done, and even though it sounds scary, but nothing beats a good weekend! ;)

I had the chance of meeting a good friend of mine who now sort of resides in Belfast, at least that is what I think, and to which I support his future undertaking whichever it may be. I have the chance of meeting Savio, although he is now known as Dr. Savio, which I think I'm still not used to call him Dr just yet!! Haha! But anyway, he's a good, dedicated and shall I say industrious an ambitious doctor who work tirelessly and I think it's quite refreshing for both of us to get out of the office(for me) and the hospital for him to show me around the historic city of Belfast!

I left to Belfast from the John Lennon Airport, Liverpool. It was a Friday afternoon and the security was tight.  I think it is due to the fact that there was a shooting that happen during the week and the unrest between the unionist and the nationalist, the IRA etc. Nevertheless, I remembered the encounter with the customs officer.

'Where are you going son?"

"Belfast"

"Purpose?"

"Leisure!"

"Leisure??"

"Yeap, I'm going for St Paddy's day!!"

"St Paddy's day??" With a smile and suddenly all smiles, "Naa come on, you're celebrating St Patrick's day??"

"Yeap, Guinness and Shamrock, where else could I spend my weekend? ;p"

Such warmth and hospitality that I received not only that moment but my entire stay in Belfast! Arriving in Belfast International Airport, I boarded a bus and get a return ticket to the city. I was quite annoyed that I had to rely on my own, but I guess it was pretty straightforward and it's my fault that I didn't survey the place before I arrived! Nevertheless, there was nothing to worry about as the bus station to the place where Savio stay is within walking distance!! We stayed in the hospital! Well the hostel used to be a ward and its creepy for me at least, as such dark areas make the edge of my hair stand on its end! Nevertheless, I was made to attend the Malaysian Nite, organized by the Queen's University Belfast students during the Fri nite that I arrived. Although I was pretty much a visitor but I guess it was quite enjoyable to see a group of Malaysian after a period of time in a foreign land. I had my first ever Irish Stew, although its a delicacy to many, it was well...my first time trying it :)

 

The next day, we walked throughout Belfast town, and I think we managed to cover the whole town and try different varieties of food! Yeap, i think we ate a lot, lots of food. We walked and walked and walked and just to stop during lunch hour to watch the dreadful MU vs Liverpool match which I bled my heart out, watching the game from Kitchen Bar with lots of Liverpool supporters in it! Not forgetting that the Northern Irish have close ties with Liverpool thus the passion towards the YNWA team!

Then we went to Seafood bar for snack or maybe lunch or whichever you call it! I had fresh oyster which I miss so much having just like the one in Shogun, One Utama, with lots of Sashimi..yummy! I ordered crab caused I missed the crab dishes in Asia Cafe, Subang which is lovely! Well, can't wait to have these 2 meals once I get back to Malaysia! Firstly, the sashimi's and my crab seafood dish!

The Saturday night, I had the opportunity of joining the medical students for a birthday party in TGI's. Albeit the difference in profession among the medic students,I'm honored to enjoy their company and I guess we had fun too. Thanks to Siao Wen for being a hospitable host on the nite!

I wished I could stay longer in Belfast and take the bus to Dublin, Ireland but I guess that trip is for another time! I attended mass in the hospital and then a quick walk down to town area for Sunday breakfast. We went to St George's market and it's a market once of its kind.

The flight back to Liverpool was a full of mixed feelings as I know reality will have to step in as I prepare myself to work the next day!

 

Cheers!