http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Europe , Ireland en-us Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:15:45 BST Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:15:45 BST This morning we were supposed to go on a field trips for one of classes...already...but it got cancelled due to unpredictable weather. Ryan decided to take us to Aldi's since none of us had any food yet and then we were sent out to do whatever we wanted. Kaley Bridget and I first got our groceries walked them back to our apartments....about a 10 min. walk...and then decided to go explore the c http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Carlow/Carlow/blog-320562.html NOTE I write these blogs primarily for personal memories...I make them public because maybe they may help a traveler who is willing to muddle through them or connect me with a long lost friend. They are full of personal experiences and honest opinions. If I don't like something I say it...it's not meant as an affront to any area or people. If you're looking for politically correct keep on lo http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/blog-320263.html Well I'm finally here Mom dad and I left our house about 840am on Thursday and arrived at Chicago airport around two. After meeting up with the Ambrose group...around 17 students....we checked in our luggage...mine being exactly at the weight mark We took off from Chicago around 7pm and flew through rain pretty much the entire time. As soon as we started flying over Ireland the rain cleared http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Carlow/Carlow/blog-320226.html I've been to a few stops since my last post more up's and down's and more brushes with coming home. Me and Kate and Jess didn't see a whole lot of Glasgow until we were walking around with our bags waiting for our bus to Edinburgh and took a grand total of zero pictures. After a quiet first night in the hostel we made some friends the second night and stayed up pretty late exchanging stories s http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Galway/Galway/blog-320080.html The title refers to a question about an actual fox that was spotted by an anonymous student on the way back to XXX last night. The response from another student who will also go unnamed was ldquoHonestly when you asked me that question I thought you were referring to Dr. Barrington...rdquoBack by popular demand Sorry for the extended hiatus folks but I have returned. Herersquos a ru http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-320028.html I was not having the Luck of the Irish when I arrived in Dublin on Sept. 2nd. I had just gotten off of a plane after a 7 hour flight two days of travel hell and had to sit next to an Irish dude that wanted to make out yes he actually asked. Not only was I famished after consuming a dinner of gummi bears the plane food did not look edible but the airline neglected to give me free wine and b http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-319864.html One of my first lessons learnt on this trip is to buy a city map wherever I go. Either that or listen to the bus drivers that give me advice. Got the 11 hour flight from Hong Kong to London and went throught the checks at Heathrow. I didnt find it any hassle just that the place is so large. As long as you follow the signs you dont really have a worry. Eventually got on the BMI flight to Du http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-319444.html Bellinter House Alan Joyce Chiswicks weddingIt was wonderful to catch up with Pauls family again especially for an occasion as exciting as a wedding. We maximised our luxurious 5 star accommodation and tried to scrub up as best as possible following our 6 week tour of south america. Contrary to the wet summer Dublin has been subjected to so far the weather over the weekend was glorious and http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-319048.html Dublin home to Guinness and the worlds best buffalo wingsAs you can now tell our travel blogs probably wont be able to tell you much about the oldest buildings in the cities we visit or the most culturally compelling sights to see.....but we can sure sniff out a delicious basket of buffalo wings. and they come with blue cheese dressing It was paul in a 'jeansandwich during our stay in dubl http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-319045.html Every traveler often dreams of stumbling upon a significant cultural event or tradition in the country they are visiting. Something that allows a tourist to experience and even briefly become a part of that nations culture. Well last week we had that opportunity in Tralee. We arrived just in time for the last two days of the Rose of Tralee Festival. During the five days of this festival 'Roses http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Kerry/Dingle-Peninsula/blog-318966.html This one is actually from the 17th to the 31st but I been lazy writing it upTim version Saw grandparents and relatives and all are doing OK. It rained. Lots. Think I got 1 dayof sunshine.Longer versionMostly a personal visit over here so not a tonne to write up. Mostly chilled out with the grandparents at their place doing the odd visit here and there and ducking up to the Library to use th http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/blog-318884.html We arrived at Dublin airport and Anne was waiting for us at the arrival gate camera in hand taking a very bad shot of a scraggly looking Soph and Owen. Thanks Owen had arranged to hire a car for our time in Ireland they drive on the left hand side of the road and we werenrsquot staying in central Dublin so a car was really the best way to get around. We headed off to find our way to Enniskerry http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Wicklow/blog-318500.html Woke up this morning and had breakfast at the hostel hard boiled egg jam butter slice of cheese and 3 pieces of toast... hits like a rock and sticks to your bones for for a good 3 hours. After we picked up Kayley girl from Vancouver whom we met on the tour yesterday from her hostel we went to Discount Bikes and rented pedalbrake bikes haven't been on one of these since I was 8 and h http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-318383.html The title was something we heard yelled at a man on a bicycle who had nearly hit another fellow who was walking along the street. Many expletives followed but I thought Irsquod just leave it at that. We heard this yesterday as we left campus to stroll down OrsquoConnell Street. By the way my favorite part of class Thursday morning was Dr. Baringtonrsquos description of how the British http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-318216.html Leaving tomorrow Tis my last day and I have to magically shrink and squash everything into my bag so it weights 10kg..... http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Monaghan/blog-317554.html Well... It's hard to believe that it's actually the end of August... I should be flying home now and I'm not. Truth is I'm feelin' very cozy and at home here but it's definitely strange that I'm not headed back to school next week. Cheers to all you who are Slee... good luck with the kiddies and hi to everyone for me kTullamore was absolute madness... it was really really really amazing fun http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Offaly/Tullamore/blog-317101.html Irritated Female Passerby Why is this bus here It needs trsquo be movedOur Bus Driver It has nothinrsquo trsquo do with me marsquoam.IFP Wherersquos the driver of the busOBD No tellinrsquo. I believe hersquos gone inside.IFP mutters as she walks away You ARE the driver of the bushellipOBD looks over at us laughs heartily and tells us in a hushed tone Best to http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-316921.html Well I have been in Europe for a few weeks now. All of the traveling was amazing and very fast paced. We only had a few days in each city so we made the most of it and did as much sightseeing as 24hrs allowed. I am splitting up these cities into different entries because 1 I highly doubt anyone will sit and read a novel on the past few weeks in one sitting and 2 because I don't have to typ http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-316871.html photos will be added when I'm back in CanadaWe're in Ireland. Conor's homeland. Home also to rain and all things green. Conor's parents met us in Rosslare where our ferry docked after crossing both the English channel and the St. George channel in the Irish Sea. It's been a nice change of pace being able to relax yet still see the country a bit with the help of Conor's parents. We've been stayi http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Tipperary/Tipperary/blog-316846.html The next few days of our tour dealt with some of the scenic wonders of Ireland. The first that I will discuss is the fabulous and iconic Ring of Kerry. The bus pulled out of the hotel amidst a dreary backdrop of haze and fog. At our first stop Moriarty's at the Gap of Dunloe a store where Tommy was letting us out to shop we were scheduled to take a group picture. Complete with umbrellas rainco http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Kerry/Killarney/blog-316654.html Well we are back and enjoying being with family and friends again and also loving the freedom of being able to head out on our own without organising anybody or anything. Even though it is great to have a driver cook and cleaner in India it also requires a lot of explaining organising and time management so it's just been nice to just do whatever we want whenever we want. We went to the be http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Cork/Cork/blog-316333.html So today is our LAST in Europe...not counting tomorrow which is full with a bus a train and two planesYesterday we toured the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren two verrrry beautiful areas around Galway. The cliffs were absolutely amazing and we lucked out with pretty good weather. We haven't had true sunshine here yet and its raining today and I wish we had because there is so much green t http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Galway/Galway/blog-315930.html Can you believe we had TWO FULL days of sunshine In a row Simply fantastic It was just enough to lift our spirits before it went back to pissing down rain. I've heard a few times now that this summer is the worst summer on record stealing the title from last summer. I think this Irishman said it best when referring to the global enviroment situation 'God gave us a garden and we're just http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Galway/Aran-Islands/blog-315911.html I dreaded Ireland from the start because I tried my hardest to spend the least amount of time under the Euro currency. Ireland was harsh. So harsh in fact that it set a small limitation on the amount of fun we could have. Seehellip we do not need to drink to have fun but we have more fun when we drink. Just think all the years we worked on building our tolerances all the calories we added t http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/blog-315796.html My time in Dublin was short and sweet. Once again the weather was supposed to be miserable but we were greeted with a beautiful clear cold crisp winter day. After an hourlong bus ride from the airport we were dropped off at the center of town. And our hostel was just around the corner. We dropped off our stuff at Marlborough hostel and headed to Dunnes a grocery store. It blew my mind. Her http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/Dublin/blog-315676.html Hey allToday we went on a day trip with Galway Tour Company. We were a little afraid because it was raining but it ended up being alright. A bus picked us up around 10 AM and we drove to the county of Mayo yes like the condiment where we stopped at Ross Errily Friary ruins of a friary that has been around since the 14th century. Great place to take photos and walk around it almost felt like http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Galway/Galway/blog-315427.html Well not long left now till we hit the minty highway....exactly 3wks 3 days....just doin last minute preps gettin the usual suspects sorted out like backpack mossie net etc... Really lookin 4ward 2 goin now after a brief spell of doubtfulness Delhi belly....it'll be a great break sure the craic will only be 90...plenty of time for responsibilities when I cum back sure. Ayee... Check http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Ireland/County-Dublin/blog-314997.html