Game of Thrones transforms Northern Ireland into Westeros and more

Sharleen Crossinis a tourguide for a bus company that organizes "Stones and Thrones" trips throughNorthern Ireland, where a big chunk of HBO'sGame of Thrones is filmed.The petite blond hastheinside scoop on everything about the series.

By the time I'm on this guided tour (last fall),the HBO mega-hit hadjust wrapped up sevenweeks of filming for the upcoming season 6 whichpremieresthis Sunday.

"Very hush-hush," saidCrossin."HBO owns Ireland,"she declaredto her captive audience.

There's about 30 of us on the bus tour making our way out of Belfastup the coast to the Irish Sea and into Game of Thrones territory, a.k.a.County Antrimon the northern coast of Northern Ireland.Or, inmy world, Westeros.

It's a stunning and rugged backdrop hosting more than half a dozen Game of Thrones shooting locations.

That crack about U.S.cableTVnetworkHBOowning Ireland is not a joke.About an hour out of Belfast, we roll by an abandoned quarry. In the distance,there appears to be a series of buildings.We all want a closer look, but we can'tthe area is fenced in. There's a padlock at the entrancegate anda somewhat threatening red signthat reads: "Strictly No Photography."

From inside the bus, I snap a quick shot.It's unfocused, of course the bus is moving after all.

Believe it or not, those black buildings in the distance where there's a blob of white,likely fake snowis Castle Black.You know, where Jon Snow hungoutwhen he wasn'tfightingthe White Walkers.

So if that's Castle Black, where's the famous wall?On TV, it'sa towering slab of ice and snow.

In real life, it's a dull,beige-coloured hillside.Yes, a bit disappointing, but CGI willfix it all up in post-production.

Speaking of Jon Snow our favourite, brooding member of theNight's Watch ourtour guide has met him. She bumped into him in Belfast.It's a small city, relatively speaking,and many of the Game of Thrones cast members stay there during shooting season.

"I met Kit Harington,who is tiny in real life," Crossinsaid.

And just in case I didn't quite get that last part, she emphasizes:"Very tiny."

She's not done. He was also a "wee bit grumpy."

OK, he's about fivefeet sixinches tall. I Googled it.And grumpy?I don't blame him.Did you see what his Night's Watchbrothersdid to him in at the end of season 5?

The actress who plays ultra-mean Queen RegentCersei Lannister fares better, as far as Crossinis concerned.

"Lena Headey is such a lovely woman!"

Crossin bumped into her walking down the street one day andsays she was starstruck.Headeystopped and the two "had a conversation."

'Like Fort Knox secrecy'

HBO and the show's producers arevery secretive about plot developments with anyof the Game of Thrones characters, like "Fort Knox secrecy," a Belfast cabbie tells me. Sothe cone of silence is a requirement.

The bus stops inCarnlough.It's a quaint little harbour, but we wonder why we're here.

Crossinwill only say that somewhere, in this harbour, Arya (the youngest girl in the Stark family) takes a swim.We're not told why.We'll have to wait for season 6.

"She was freezing," revealed Crossin.

Apparently, actressMaisie Williams who plays Arya was a real trouper.

A boost for locals

The showrunners may demand full secrecy from their employees,butGame of Throneshas been good for the local economy, creating about 900 full-time jobs and some 6,000 part-time jobs.

"I was an extra," revealedCrossin, whichin journalism circlesis the equivalent toburying the lead.

"You were an extra?"

"A wildling in season 5", she says, oh so matteroffactly."The Hardhomeepisode."

For the uninformed, that's the onewhere all those undead creatures, the wights and White Walkers attacked our still-brooding Jon Snow and his gang. And, of course,it's also the one withthat great shot of thecreepyNight's King with his arms outstretched.

It was a gut-wrenching episode. But Crossinsaid she had "loads of fun."

She said HBO has a rule that any extra has to be from Belfastor from Northern Ireland.

"So many people from Belfast are extras on Game of Thrones, which is great for the economy."

Though thepay for extras isn'tthat good, apparently, Crossindidn't seem to mind. She said she got an amazinginside look at the HBO operation.

Her friendwas also an extra, she continued, adding with awink:"She was in Littlefinger's establishment."

By that, I take it to mean her friendprobably required little clothing for her scenes.

Over a quick lunch,I chat with Doug and Helen. They've travelled from New Zealand for a holiday in Northern Ireland andseeing where Game of Thrones is shot was a must-do on their list.

Well, for Doug anyway.Helen is here for the breathtaking vistas.

"I don't go around the house dressed in leather, swinging a sword," Doug said.But, yeah, he'sa fan.

"I've read all the books, I've watched the whole series."

So have many, many others, consideringthe average audience for season 5 was just under seven million viewers.

Winter is here.Bring on season 6.