Day 12 (by Nic)
Hello again everybody! Get ready for an exciting blog!!! Hahaha
We woke up a little earlier thsn usual today, 8:30!!! Oh yeah! (sorry I just had 2 cups of coffee, plus we had a lot of fun today). Anyways, before I begin I want everyone to get out a map of Ireland, so you can see where we went (I think google maps is the best so you can type in the locations that we went to, but another map is fine)...
Ok now that you have your maps out, we started the day in Galway, that is the city of Galway, not the county. We took a tour bus at 10:30am from Galway city about an hour south along the coast to a region called the Burren. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burren ) I don't know how to explain it other than really rocky. The entire region is made of limestone and it looks similar to a moonscape. Here we went to a small town called Doolin where we stopped for lunch. Hannah and I had made spaghetti the night before so we had that to eat. After our lunch we went another 15 minutes along the coast to the south still to the Cliffs of Moher. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffs_of_moher ) It sounds epic... and it was! The cliffs span a length of 5 miles and stand 650 feet tall at the highest point! It's so hard to picture, and i wish we could put up our pictures because it was so totally mind blowing!!! We did take tons and tons of pictures though.
After our 1 hour stop at the Cliffs of Moher, we took the bus inland to the east about 30 min and stopped at a place called Poulnabrone Dolmen ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poulnabrone_dolmen ) that's the wikipedia link be causes I know I won't be able to explain it right. But basically it is a 5000 year old burial site. There was an excavation 30 years ago, I think, and they found 16 adults and 6 children. They aren't exactly sure what it was for, but they think it was a ritual burial type of deal.
Next we went about 15 more minutes inland to a cave called Aillwee cave ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aillwee_Cave ) wikipedia link. The first person to find the cave was a farmer in the 1940's who happened upon it while hunting rabbits when his dog chased one into the cave. There has been some blasting and excavation in order to make a safe walkable loop for us tourists to tour. It was wicked cool though!!! We both agreed that it was cooler than the lava tube on Maui, and longer too. We had a tour guide with us and had 6 different stops where he told us different things about the cave. Oh I forgot to mention, the cave was dimly light while tours were in session so we could see, but at one point our guide turned out the lights so we could experience "true darkness". Hannah was on the border of freaking a bit, but it was really cool!
After our 30 min tour of Aillwee cave we took the bus an hour back to Galway and out of the Burren. We got back at 5:15pm. We're just hanging out now, probably bed soon, I'm tired. We had more pasta for dinner. Yep... I hope this blog was exciting and educational for all of you back home! Alright... Bye!
Nic
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Day 10 + 11 (by Nic)
Day 10
We didn't do a ton today. It was quite sunny, but also very chilly. We walked around Wicklow a bit in the morning, just kind of looking around the town. We went to a nice cafe for lunch and had a very good tomato basil soup with homemade brown bread. Then we went and sat next to the ocean. There was a team of 3 420 sailboats that we watched for a while. We found some more sea glass also, and then went back to the hostel to figure out what we were going to do in Galway, our next destination.
Day 11
We woke up reall early this morning so we could take the 8am bus from Wicklow back to Dublin. We wanted to go to church in dublin this morning, but we arrived too late for the first service, and the next wasn't going to start for another hour and a half. So instead we took the 10am bus to Galway, but we will be going to St. Patricks church and the Christ Church next weekend when we are in Dublin, our last weekend!
The bus ride to Galway was 3 and a half hours long and so we didn't get here till 1:30pm. We were able to check into our hostel, the Galway City Hostel, when we got here, so we checked in and dropped off our bags and went about exploring the town. We found a great place for lunch called Food 4 Thought. We got a pretty good vegan shepards pie, and on Sunday's they give 3 free little salad samplers, so we got potato salad, broccoli salad, and pickled beets for free!!! Afterwards we walked around more and came upon a market stand where a guy was making fresh doughnuts in front of us and we got to watch him make them and then choose either chocolate, cinnamon, or sugar for the top, or plain. We choose one chocolate, one sugar, and one plain. Let me just say they were AMAZING!! Crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, and warm! We hope to go back tomorrow too!
We are back at the hostel now after walking around a bunch more. Probably a salad and more peanutbutter sandwiches for dinner. Alright. Bye-bye.
Nic
We didn't do a ton today. It was quite sunny, but also very chilly. We walked around Wicklow a bit in the morning, just kind of looking around the town. We went to a nice cafe for lunch and had a very good tomato basil soup with homemade brown bread. Then we went and sat next to the ocean. There was a team of 3 420 sailboats that we watched for a while. We found some more sea glass also, and then went back to the hostel to figure out what we were going to do in Galway, our next destination.
Day 11
We woke up reall early this morning so we could take the 8am bus from Wicklow back to Dublin. We wanted to go to church in dublin this morning, but we arrived too late for the first service, and the next wasn't going to start for another hour and a half. So instead we took the 10am bus to Galway, but we will be going to St. Patricks church and the Christ Church next weekend when we are in Dublin, our last weekend!
The bus ride to Galway was 3 and a half hours long and so we didn't get here till 1:30pm. We were able to check into our hostel, the Galway City Hostel, when we got here, so we checked in and dropped off our bags and went about exploring the town. We found a great place for lunch called Food 4 Thought. We got a pretty good vegan shepards pie, and on Sunday's they give 3 free little salad samplers, so we got potato salad, broccoli salad, and pickled beets for free!!! Afterwards we walked around more and came upon a market stand where a guy was making fresh doughnuts in front of us and we got to watch him make them and then choose either chocolate, cinnamon, or sugar for the top, or plain. We choose one chocolate, one sugar, and one plain. Let me just say they were AMAZING!! Crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, and warm! We hope to go back tomorrow too!
We are back at the hostel now after walking around a bunch more. Probably a salad and more peanutbutter sandwiches for dinner. Alright. Bye-bye.
Nic
Friday, March 18, 2011
Day 7, 8, and 9. (by Nic)
Day 7
Slept in a lil bit again. We took a taxi back from Newgrange to Drogheda (and paid €15 instead of the €20 we paid the first time) and made it back literally just in time for the bus to Dublin.
In Dublin we went to cafe shop and got a cream of veggie soup and a roasted veggie sandwich, both of which were very good. We used the Internet to find our next place, the Sandymount Hotel, a 45 min walk away from the center of Dublin.
Day 8 ST PATRICKS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
....where to begin....
9am: we locked up our stuff for the day at the bus station.
10:15am: we were at our viewing spot for the parade with a veggie burger, fries, and chocolate shake :)
12:30pm: the long awaited parade, scheduled to start 12, finally started with over 600,000 people surrounding us on the streets, in buildings, and even on the roofs. It's hard to describe the immaculate costumes and performances that must have taken forever to plan out. But let me just say that it was totally mind blowing!!! We will put up pictures later, but right now we have no way to get the pictures off our camera.
2:30pm: the parade ended and we got a little food in our bellies before we took the 4pm bus to Wicklow, where we are now.
8pm: pizza from a very crowded store, and then bed shortly after :)
Day 9
The owners of the hostel we are staying in, Captain Halpin's Bunkhouse, took us up to a place called Glendalough where there is a national park, Wicklow National Park, and hiking trails, and also an old monastic village. It was all very interesting and i suggest you, whoever you are, look it up! We ended up doing a 5km hike up the side of one of the mountains that looked over a lake. It was very beautiful. At the top we had a lovely picnic of scones, potato salad, and a broccoli salad.
After our hike we came back to Wicklow and went looking for sea glass on the beach, and were quite successful! We had veggie burgers for dinner and then watched The Departed. I'm tired now so my writing is getting worse and worse. I would say it's time for bed. Good night!
Nic
Slept in a lil bit again. We took a taxi back from Newgrange to Drogheda (and paid €15 instead of the €20 we paid the first time) and made it back literally just in time for the bus to Dublin.
In Dublin we went to cafe shop and got a cream of veggie soup and a roasted veggie sandwich, both of which were very good. We used the Internet to find our next place, the Sandymount Hotel, a 45 min walk away from the center of Dublin.
Day 8 ST PATRICKS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
....where to begin....
9am: we locked up our stuff for the day at the bus station.
10:15am: we were at our viewing spot for the parade with a veggie burger, fries, and chocolate shake :)
12:30pm: the long awaited parade, scheduled to start 12, finally started with over 600,000 people surrounding us on the streets, in buildings, and even on the roofs. It's hard to describe the immaculate costumes and performances that must have taken forever to plan out. But let me just say that it was totally mind blowing!!! We will put up pictures later, but right now we have no way to get the pictures off our camera.
2:30pm: the parade ended and we got a little food in our bellies before we took the 4pm bus to Wicklow, where we are now.
8pm: pizza from a very crowded store, and then bed shortly after :)
Day 9
The owners of the hostel we are staying in, Captain Halpin's Bunkhouse, took us up to a place called Glendalough where there is a national park, Wicklow National Park, and hiking trails, and also an old monastic village. It was all very interesting and i suggest you, whoever you are, look it up! We ended up doing a 5km hike up the side of one of the mountains that looked over a lake. It was very beautiful. At the top we had a lovely picnic of scones, potato salad, and a broccoli salad.
After our hike we came back to Wicklow and went looking for sea glass on the beach, and were quite successful! We had veggie burgers for dinner and then watched The Departed. I'm tired now so my writing is getting worse and worse. I would say it's time for bed. Good night!
Nic
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Day 6 written by Nic this time...
Day 6
Beautiful day today!!! We slept in till 9:40 and then enjoyed a wonderful continental breakfast consisting of fresh fruit, granola, coffee, and coco puffs.
We biked to Slane village today with the intention of visiting Slane castle. The views along were absolutely amazing! We saw sheep and their babies grazing in fields along the way, and tons of old stone houses, all very cool. My butt is so sore from the biking because my seat was up way too high and I couldn't lower it, but i do believe that I will survive.
In Slane we went to a little bistro for lunch and had the most amazing panini in the world (exaggeration)! It had avocado, pickled cucumbers, brie, lettuce, and tomato. We also got a hot chocolate that, for some reason, was lovely (everyone here say lovely so i decided to pick it up).
A little past Slane was the Hill of Slane where there was an old college and church dating from around the 1500s. It was here that Saint Patrick lit the paschal fire on Easter in defiance of a pagan holiday. We took a ton of pictures of the old stone buildings here because it was just so dang cool!
Our long bike ride home was rather uneventful, except for us panting to make it up the hills and then enjoying the downhills at the end. Although, we did see some cute baby sheep at the end.
Well, now we are back at the Newgrange Lodge and I'm starving! We will write more later! Tomorrow we head back to Dublin for one night and then... St. Patrick's day!!!
Bye everybody!
Nic
Beautiful day today!!! We slept in till 9:40 and then enjoyed a wonderful continental breakfast consisting of fresh fruit, granola, coffee, and coco puffs.
We biked to Slane village today with the intention of visiting Slane castle. The views along were absolutely amazing! We saw sheep and their babies grazing in fields along the way, and tons of old stone houses, all very cool. My butt is so sore from the biking because my seat was up way too high and I couldn't lower it, but i do believe that I will survive.
In Slane we went to a little bistro for lunch and had the most amazing panini in the world (exaggeration)! It had avocado, pickled cucumbers, brie, lettuce, and tomato. We also got a hot chocolate that, for some reason, was lovely (everyone here say lovely so i decided to pick it up).
A little past Slane was the Hill of Slane where there was an old college and church dating from around the 1500s. It was here that Saint Patrick lit the paschal fire on Easter in defiance of a pagan holiday. We took a ton of pictures of the old stone buildings here because it was just so dang cool!
Our long bike ride home was rather uneventful, except for us panting to make it up the hills and then enjoying the downhills at the end. Although, we did see some cute baby sheep at the end.
Well, now we are back at the Newgrange Lodge and I'm starving! We will write more later! Tomorrow we head back to Dublin for one night and then... St. Patrick's day!!!
Bye everybody!
Nic
Monday, March 14, 2011
Day 5
Slept in late today which was very nice. We then went to Newgrange burial site that was built about 1000 years before Stonehedge. It was absolutely mind boggling to see what the people back then were capable of building. Such an amazing experience. We then went into Donore and had a bite to eat at the supermarket and from there biked to the site of the Battle of the Boyne which was the biggest battle site in all of Ireland and England. The history that is here in Ireland is so incredible. It's lime being onside a history book and being able to go on amazing field trips every day! We probably walked about 1 mile today and biked about 8 miles. It was a gorgeous day although it did rain a bit on one day. But it pretty much rains at least once a day here so that's not too surprising. Oh and we had a very nice continental breakfast this morning!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Day 2
Very rainy day! Didn't sleep super well cus there were people up and about until 3 am! Lots of drunk travelers.
We clocked one hour of walking and found that we walked about 3 miles every hour. We have been walking 10-12 miles everyday and boy do I feel it!! We went and visited the Marsh Library which was built in the 1700s by an archbishop. There are over 25000 books in the library! It was so neat to walk through! We then walked around some of the gorgeous cathedrals, Christ Church and St Patricks to name just two.
We went a delicious vegetarian restaurant that was in an old mansion. It was sooooo yummy and the prices were totally reasonable! Then we walked around Dublin a bit more. We went back to the Avalon house, which is the first hostel we stayed at, and we went and hung out in at the Bald Barista which is right next to the hostel.
I cannot even tell you how much I love Dublin. It's such an amazing city to be in. The grass is green everywhere and the are buds on the trees. There are so many daffodils everywhere and violets too and hyacinths and tulips and crocuses. (I have no idea if I spelt that right). Also on many street corners are crates and vases filled with gorgeous bouquets of flowers.
For breakfast we have been eating continental breakfast at the hostels which is usually cereal and toast and tea. For lunch and dinner we buy a few baguettes and some fresh mozzarella and some fruit. Its actually quite cheap to buy things from the grocery stores here.
We also stop for tea at least once a day. There is something so lovely about just sitting down to a scone and a cup of tea on the streets of Dublin. I love it here!
DAY 3
I wish I could put up pictures! I would love to add them to my blog. I will as soon as I can! It rained on and off today which wasn't to bad. We have learned that no matt what you don't leave without your rain jacket and an umbrella as it will rain whenever and where ever, but usually when you least expect it! We walked about 12 miles today and my feet and ankles and calves and knees and thighs and just everywhere are so tired and sore! We have been walking everywhere so that we don't have to take the bus and we can see more when we walk anyway. Oh and did I already say all the buses are double decker buses!? How cool is that?
We walked around z lot just admiring the buildings. A huge thing here is that most of the buildings are brick or stone but the doors are painted these brilliant bright bold colors. They are so beautiful and I want to take a picture of every one! We had tea and a scone at Honest to Goodness and then went to the Guinness Storehouse. It was massive and so interesting! The tour was fantastic! I do not like beer but we hade to do this tour because Guinness is HUGE here. At the end we got a free pint of beer but I hated it so didn't drink it! :)
We then walked back to our next hostel which was called the Abraham House. We walked down Henry Street to get there. This street is the biggest shopping street in all of Europe! It was a bit frightening with all the people but we made it safely!
DAY 4
We took a bus from Dublin to Drogheda today and then a taxi to Donore. We are now staying in the countryside for 3 nights at the Newgrange Lodge. It's mostly out in the middle of no where but we have access to free bikes and there are a lot of historical sites around that I cannot wait to see. It's very nice to have a day to rest my legs! Early to bed tonight!
Very rainy day! Didn't sleep super well cus there were people up and about until 3 am! Lots of drunk travelers.
We clocked one hour of walking and found that we walked about 3 miles every hour. We have been walking 10-12 miles everyday and boy do I feel it!! We went and visited the Marsh Library which was built in the 1700s by an archbishop. There are over 25000 books in the library! It was so neat to walk through! We then walked around some of the gorgeous cathedrals, Christ Church and St Patricks to name just two.
We went a delicious vegetarian restaurant that was in an old mansion. It was sooooo yummy and the prices were totally reasonable! Then we walked around Dublin a bit more. We went back to the Avalon house, which is the first hostel we stayed at, and we went and hung out in at the Bald Barista which is right next to the hostel.
I cannot even tell you how much I love Dublin. It's such an amazing city to be in. The grass is green everywhere and the are buds on the trees. There are so many daffodils everywhere and violets too and hyacinths and tulips and crocuses. (I have no idea if I spelt that right). Also on many street corners are crates and vases filled with gorgeous bouquets of flowers.
For breakfast we have been eating continental breakfast at the hostels which is usually cereal and toast and tea. For lunch and dinner we buy a few baguettes and some fresh mozzarella and some fruit. Its actually quite cheap to buy things from the grocery stores here.
We also stop for tea at least once a day. There is something so lovely about just sitting down to a scone and a cup of tea on the streets of Dublin. I love it here!
DAY 3
I wish I could put up pictures! I would love to add them to my blog. I will as soon as I can! It rained on and off today which wasn't to bad. We have learned that no matt what you don't leave without your rain jacket and an umbrella as it will rain whenever and where ever, but usually when you least expect it! We walked about 12 miles today and my feet and ankles and calves and knees and thighs and just everywhere are so tired and sore! We have been walking everywhere so that we don't have to take the bus and we can see more when we walk anyway. Oh and did I already say all the buses are double decker buses!? How cool is that?
We walked around z lot just admiring the buildings. A huge thing here is that most of the buildings are brick or stone but the doors are painted these brilliant bright bold colors. They are so beautiful and I want to take a picture of every one! We had tea and a scone at Honest to Goodness and then went to the Guinness Storehouse. It was massive and so interesting! The tour was fantastic! I do not like beer but we hade to do this tour because Guinness is HUGE here. At the end we got a free pint of beer but I hated it so didn't drink it! :)
We then walked back to our next hostel which was called the Abraham House. We walked down Henry Street to get there. This street is the biggest shopping street in all of Europe! It was a bit frightening with all the people but we made it safely!
DAY 4
We took a bus from Dublin to Drogheda today and then a taxi to Donore. We are now staying in the countryside for 3 nights at the Newgrange Lodge. It's mostly out in the middle of no where but we have access to free bikes and there are a lot of historical sites around that I cannot wait to see. It's very nice to have a day to rest my legs! Early to bed tonight!
Friday, March 11, 2011
IRELAND!!!!!!!!!
It is day two here in Ireland! We arrived yesterday at 6am. We were totally exhausted by that point and were really only functioning on our adrenaline! I still CANNOT believe I am in Europe! Ive wanted to come visit here all my life and now I'm finally here! Ahhhhhhhhh!
I won't be able to put pictures up for awhile because I just have my iPad and no place to plug my camera in. But I should be able to add pictures once I get to Spain.
Dublin is absolutely incredible! It's so surreal being here in this country that ive only read about in books. The cobblestone streets and sidewalks are gorgeous and the streets upon streets of beautiful old shops and apartments stretch out in every direction! It's just thrilling to turn each corner and find an even more amazing view at every turn and the catholic churches just take your breath away. The magnitude and magnificence of these buildings just blows my mind.
We went to the Chester Beatty library yesterday. There aren't really any books but they did have amazing galleries and a very cool Japanese garden on the roof. On one floor they had displays of religious writings and I saw original pages from the books of the disciples, the book of Genesis and of Esther. That was definitely a surreal moment seeing those. And that wasn't just because I was only running on 2 hours of sleep within the past 30 hours!
We went and walked around in the gorgeous St. Stephens square yesterday where were beautiful flowers just budding, a lovely pond, bridges, oh and I saw two swans! In learned that this was the main square where people would be held in stocks, whipped, and even hung. I saw exactly where it used to happen. That was kind of a disturbing part of the square but it really is a huge part of any countries history as that used to be a common happening so it was cool, in a way, to see.
It was about 50 degrees here yesterday. It was beautiful out but a bit chilly with the wind. The grass is green and the trees all are budding and their are flowers everywhere!
Some things vie observed:
1. Everyone smokes, and I mean just about EVERYONE!
2. Irish accents are THE COOLEST THING EVER!
3. I'm having a very hard time controlling my excitement and I'm afraid I stand out as a total tourist!
4. There aren't that many red haired people.
5. History is absolutely everywhere here and I LOVE IT!
6. The tea here is VERY strong!
7. The cars driving on the opposite side of the road is psyching me out and I think I'm going to get hit because I always forget to look the right way before I cross the road!
8. People dress much nicer here, for the most part.
9. Irish people are very friendly and happy.
10. Europe is so way cooler than America!
I won't be able to put pictures up for awhile because I just have my iPad and no place to plug my camera in. But I should be able to add pictures once I get to Spain.
Dublin is absolutely incredible! It's so surreal being here in this country that ive only read about in books. The cobblestone streets and sidewalks are gorgeous and the streets upon streets of beautiful old shops and apartments stretch out in every direction! It's just thrilling to turn each corner and find an even more amazing view at every turn and the catholic churches just take your breath away. The magnitude and magnificence of these buildings just blows my mind.
We went to the Chester Beatty library yesterday. There aren't really any books but they did have amazing galleries and a very cool Japanese garden on the roof. On one floor they had displays of religious writings and I saw original pages from the books of the disciples, the book of Genesis and of Esther. That was definitely a surreal moment seeing those. And that wasn't just because I was only running on 2 hours of sleep within the past 30 hours!
We went and walked around in the gorgeous St. Stephens square yesterday where were beautiful flowers just budding, a lovely pond, bridges, oh and I saw two swans! In learned that this was the main square where people would be held in stocks, whipped, and even hung. I saw exactly where it used to happen. That was kind of a disturbing part of the square but it really is a huge part of any countries history as that used to be a common happening so it was cool, in a way, to see.
It was about 50 degrees here yesterday. It was beautiful out but a bit chilly with the wind. The grass is green and the trees all are budding and their are flowers everywhere!
Some things vie observed:
1. Everyone smokes, and I mean just about EVERYONE!
2. Irish accents are THE COOLEST THING EVER!
3. I'm having a very hard time controlling my excitement and I'm afraid I stand out as a total tourist!
4. There aren't that many red haired people.
5. History is absolutely everywhere here and I LOVE IT!
6. The tea here is VERY strong!
7. The cars driving on the opposite side of the road is psyching me out and I think I'm going to get hit because I always forget to look the right way before I cross the road!
8. People dress much nicer here, for the most part.
9. Irish people are very friendly and happy.
10. Europe is so way cooler than America!
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