Foto: The Titanic Experience (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Northern_Ireland - We cross the River Lagan and enter the Titanic Quarter. Modern apartment buildings now line the waterfront, once the site where impressive ocean liners were built. The most famous of these was the Titanic. In 1911, the 269-meter-long ship was launched here—unfortunately, for only one voyage. After hitting an iceberg, the ship sank on its maiden journey to America. Today, the Titanic Experience Center stands on the site where the ship was built. It is a modern museum showcasing the construction, launch, and tragic end of the ship. The museum is crowded—very crowded. It seems everyone opted for a visit today because of the rain outside. Lines form inside to access the next exhibition rooms. There’s also a queue for the most popular attraction. Signs indicate a wait time of at least twenty minutes. In small cars, we move over the old shipyard and re-enter through the stern of the ship. Workers are shown laboring on the ship—an enjoyable and impressive attraction. On a round screen, you can see how the various decks of the Titanic once looked. You’re right in the middle of it. For a moment, I imagine myself aboard the historic ship. At the end of the tour, a film shows how the wreck was discovered on the ocean floor—3,800 meters deep. The ship had broken in two. Outside, it’s still raining, giving the city a rather gloomy atmosphere. With my umbrella up, I walk to the SS Nomadic, the ship used to ferry passengers from France who later boarded the Titanic. It’s interesting to see how this smaller sister of the Titanic was constructed.
The religious wall
Northern_Ireland - While yesterday was mainly about the Titanic, today is focused on Belfast’s history. For years, Protestants and Catholics fought one another during riots. Catholics strive for unification with Ireland, while Protestants want to remain part of the United ...