Monday, September 5, 2011
Day 10-Monday-Last Day!!
Our last day in Ireland has been spent finishing up souvenir shopping and trying to fit everything in our suitcases which was not an easy thing to do! Rob's main focus was finding an old fishing reel to go with the one I got him last year in England so we headed out to Francis Street where we were told all the antique stores were. The very first store we found it making for a very successful outing. I found some treasures for myself in a Celtic jewelry store(shocking I know!). Today has been the first day of rain but we didn't mind and it just made us more than ready to go home. Only a few more hours to enjoy Ireland and then back to reality but not before a few last pints of Guinness. This has been an epic adventure and Rob and I are still talking to each other. That in itself is amazing!!!!!
Day 9-Sunday-Dublin
Hilary had to fly home today so it was quick breakfast and stroll along the River Liffey before her taxi came. We always try to make for quick goodbyes to we don't cry! But we are already planning our next meeting so it wasn't too bad. After many hugs and waves Rob and I headed to Dublin Castle and then the National Archaeology Museum to see the Bog Bodies and some amazing treasures they have found here in Ireland. There was a Gaelic Football game in Dublin today and there were 81,000 people at the match. Could not believe the team spirit these people have! They seriously put us to shame in that category. The pubs were filled with those who couldn't get tickets and we did watch part of it. It's hard to explain but it is a combination of rugby and hurling played by some large, tough Irishmen! Tried to do some souvenir shopping but all the shakers & shufflers (old people on tour buses) were out in the late afternoon. Spent the evening strolling Temple Bar listening to the buskers performing great music before the pubs filled up.
United Nations - Dublin Style
After dinner Saturday we went to Turk's Head Pub in Temple Bar for a nightcap only to spend the rest of the night with a wild group. While sitting outside the people next to us just started chatting with us right away and introduced themselves as Jenny (Holland) and Jeffrey (Ireland) and Pontus(Sweden). Then Steig (Norway) joined us when Jeffrey found him at the bar alone because he didn't want to go see the riverdance performance with his friends. Over MANY beers and Irish whiskeys we covered many topics including Obama(they LOVE him!), Catholic Church, crash of the Celtic Tiger, Gaelic Football, the bombing/shooting in Norway, divorce in Ireland and many others subjects I will not list here!! We even covered the starving children in Africa which I am not making up!!!!! By 1:30 am (we got there at 8!) we were all hungry and the only thing open was a Iranian Doner Kabob place so that is what we had (not a shish kabob!). With full bellies and warm hearts we adjourned our United Nations gathering and all had a group hug.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Day 8-Saturday-Dublin
Did the whole tourist thing today by going on the top of a double decker bus and going around the city while seeing what we would like to go back and explore later. After one go-round we picked out our favorites and went around again. First stop at Guinness OF COURSE!!!! Back on the bus to Kilmainham Gaol (jail) frequently used as a political prison. Touring the cells and places of execution was one stop I think we could have done without because we were all so depressed by the place. Back on the bus to Jameson's Distillery and shopping for gifts Hilary needed to get. By the end of the day I swear we could have given the damn bus tour ourselves! We had a two day pass for the tour bus and all agreed we were NOT getting back on that bus. Dinner was at The Porterhouse Brewing Company (www.theporterhouse.ie) which had the longest beer list I have ever seen!!! I kinda "borrowed" one of their beer menus :-)
Day 7-Friday-Dublin
Hilary arrived from England this morning! Rob wasn't feeling too swift so he went back to bed and Hilary and I headed to Trinity College and viewed the Book of Kells. After 7 days of no Starbucks it was time to hunt one down! Much to Hilary's shock I actually smelled it before we rounded the corner and knew it was close. Hit Grafton Street for shopping and found a place doing an organic fish pedicure, claiming to be a relaxing exfoliation & foot massage (www.treatyerfeet.ie). Needless to say the thought of little fish nibbling on my feet was NOT going to happen!!! Went to one of Ireland's oldest pubs for dinner, The Brazen Head established in 1198. Hilary and I had a great time just catching up while I expanded my beer horizons trying a few beers I hadn't tasted yet. I'm starting to think there is no such thing as bad beer here!!!!!!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Day 6 -Thursday- Dingle to Dublin
Horseback riding on the beach along Dingle Bay was pretty amazing! Great views of Slea Head Drive, Coumeenoule Beach (film set of Ryan's Daughter), Dunchaoin Harbour and Conner Pass which about gave me a panic attack. They REALLY need some wider roads over here!!! We boarded our train in Tralee for the journey back to Dublin which took a good chunk of the rest of the day. We got checked in and headed out for dinner finding a great place around the corner from our hotel. Guinness Stew washed down with Guinness, oh yeah! We even got lucky with live music and a Riverdance performance. Hilary arrives tomorrow!!!!!!!!!
Slainte!
Day 5 - Wednesday - Skellig Michael & Dingle Peninsula
Skellig Michael is like the Holy Grail of Irish monastic island settlements. It is one of three UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ireland and was first inhabited by sixth-century Christian monks for over 500years which led to my first question, WHY?!?!?!? It is always weather dependent if you can even get out there and we got the all-clear at breakfast that the boats could make it. A rocking, little fishing boat ride for (50 minutes each way!) in the Atlantic Ocean was NOT an option for Rob so him, Al and the guide went to castle ruins instead. So off we went in our little boat all dressed in rain gear thinking it has to rain here at some point! Now there are NO restrooms on the island so we were all restricting our coffee intake which has it's own risks. This island shoots straight up out of the sea like a pyramid and getting off the boat was entertaining enough. Over 600 odd shaped stairs straight to the top, no hand rails, fatalities occur every year and us. Dumb! Half of our group made it to the top and it was amazing but unfortunately no pub up there. I could go on but I'm sure you are all bored so I will wrap it up quickly! After all that we took a cute little ferry over to the Dingle Peninsula which is a great little village of 2000 people and 54 pubs, need I say more?
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Day 4 (Tuesday) - Ring of Kerry
Here they have a stroll, ramble and a hike and i think we have covered all three. Started out with a long hike in Macgillycuddy Reeks Mountains with amazing views. A jaunt to the Kissane Sheep Farm to watch shearing and the dogs round up sheep was pretty interesting but feeding the lambs and the herding puppies were the best part! As we traveled around the Ring of Kerry we passed famine villages, ancient stone circles and ring forts. Ending our day visiting Derrynane House (home of Daniel O'Connell) and checking into our rooms in Portmagee, a cute little fishing village and starting point to Skellig Michael which hopefully the seas allow us a visit tomorrow.
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Day 3 - Bantry Bay, Beara Peninsula & Kenmare
Started out today with seal spotting on Bantry Bay in Glengarriff. Yes, I got in a VERY small boat and rowed out to see them!!!!!!! I was determined to get pictures of those buggers and it was worth it. We explored Beara's stunning coastline going over Healy Pass which is one of Ireland's bendiest and bounciest roads which drained all the color out of Rob's face so everyone voted to give him the front seat! I seriously think they forgot to put shocks on our Range Rover!!!!! Landing in Kenmare for the evening we checked into the amazing Coachman Inn. Great room, food, drink and amazing music! Our tour guide, Mia (easy for me to remember her name!) has been so much fun. Our group consists of a family from Boston, two divorced women from Lansing, Michigan (of all places!) and a widow from Cleveland who is just a crack up.
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Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Day 2 - Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle and Gougane Barre
Our tour left Dublin this morning and headed south to the Rock of Cashel for our first stop. Rising high above the fertile Plain of Tipperary, it is one of Ireland's most historic sights. Seat of the ancient kings of Munster (c. AD 300-1100), this is where St. Patrick baptized King Aengus in about AD 450. Then it was off to Blarney Castle which I did NOT kiss!!!!! One of our group members did and after hearing why the rest of us didn't I'm pretty sure he regretted his decision. We ended our day hiking in the Gougane Barre Forest Park and a wonderful dinner in the hotel overlooking the lake. Topping off our evening in the bar we enjoyed pints of Murphy's while listening to rousing Irish renditions of Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers and summer some camp tunes like "you are my sunshine" which left us giggling and wondering if we really heard it!!!!
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Sunday, August 28, 2011
Day 1 - Dublin
After a VERY long flight we finally made it! Guess I didn't check the event calendar when booking because we flew in the same day as the very popular England vs Ireland rugby match near our hotel. We were sitting in a pub near the stadium when the game finished up (Ireland lost) and the pub filled to capacity within minutes! It was so fun listening to them talking and singing songs and drinking a LOT of beer with faces painted and game attire. Unfortunately our first meal consisted of chicken and chips due to the large crowds everywhere so the pubs had limited menus! But the Guniness more than made up for it. Early to bed so we can be ready for 5 day trek to the southwest of Ireland in the morning.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
"My Gnomie"
Well he is Lena's but he has accompanied me on my last 3 years of travel so we have joint custody!! He is packed and ready to go with only 22 hours to go.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Good Stuff
Irish Quote
When we drink, we get drunk. When we get drunk, we fall asleep. When we fall asleep, we commit no sin. When we commit no sin, we go to Heaven. So, let's all get drunk and go to heaven.
Irish Drinking Toast
May your glass be ever full,
May the roof over your head be always strong,
And may you be in heaven
Half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.
When we drink, we get drunk. When we get drunk, we fall asleep. When we fall asleep, we commit no sin. When we commit no sin, we go to Heaven. So, let's all get drunk and go to heaven.
Irish Drinking Toast
May your glass be ever full,
May the roof over your head be always strong,
And may you be in heaven
Half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.
25 More Days.......
25 days and counting before Rob and I venture off on our big adventure to Ireland. Just thinking of that pint of Guinness is making my mouth water!!!!!!!
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