We got up, had breakfast at the hotel which was really not too bad and there was no one else in the dining room either so that was nice. Then we walked to the Castle thinking it would open at 9:00 a.m. Nope. 9:45. Bloody English. ;-) So we had to wander around for awhile to pass the time. Finally, it was time to go to the Castle, which of course, is still inhabited and used by the royal family even though they were not in residence on this particular day. We walked through the castle, saw Queen Mary's doll house (which is amazing and has electricity and running water, as well as tiny little wine bottles filled with real wine and tiny little books written in the handwriting of real author's of the day), the state apartments, and art from the queen's collection including original sketches by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo. It was quite a thrill to be able to look at something like that. Then we went to see the Changing of the Guards with all its pomp and circumstance. My favorite part was the bagpipers and drummers that led them in and out. I had my picture taken with the sentry. Then we went to Starbuck's and back to the hotel, got our bags, and caught the bus to Heathrow to catch our flight to Belfast. We ate dinner in the hotel at Belfast and enjoyed looking out the window at the view of all the pubs. One big difference between England and Ireland - people standing outside of pubs in Ireland actually smile. Not so in England too often!
By the way, flying into Ireland I had a window seat, so I was able to see firsthand that it is indeed the Emerald Isle. Green everywhere and very beautiful.