and more
and more
Wed saw and did so much, it was so beautiful - including hikes down and up to see the stunning Giant's Causeway. Hopefully these videos do some of it some justice.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The Beautiful Northern Coast
We spent last Friday touring the northen coast of "The North," aka Northern Ireland. There are about a trillion pictures on FB. Here's some video of the coast we shot from the car. So you can get some idea of what it's like here. I mean, the scenery just doesn't stop.
Galway
We left Dublin. We stopped for lunch at Burger King. We drove through Galway. We stopped at McDonald's to use the restroom. We had vanilla shakes. We drove back to Dublin. Six hours round trip.
The End
The End
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Appy Feet
No, really. It's Appy Feet, not Happy Feet. We're not talking about something as commonplace as penguins. No, not at all. This is Appy Feet: The Ultimate Fish Pedicure.
We went into Belfast today in search of an electronics store and a bank. Mission accomplished on both counts. Can I say it's a pain to have to use different currencies without even going through customs? How can you tell where one starts and the other stops? I suppose I should just shut up and be happy there's no customs to deal with. Let's go with that.
So I needed to use the toilet (that's how they're all labeled over here), and we went into the local mall. On our way back out, I checked out the window to see what this Appy Feet place was. You go in, wash your feet, put them in a fish tank, and fish eat the dead skin off your feet. This would freak me out more if Clinton and I hadn't stumbled into this service in a tidal pool in Jacksonville. Anyway, I did it, made some nice friends (who wouldn't with fish eating your feet?), and I swear - not even paying much attention - I noticed that my feet felt softer on our way back to the car.
Dinner at the castle was really great and really cool. Restaurant is in the cellar and they've really pulled off a great mix of dressy casual, past-present, etc. Gotta run - Clinton has been patiently waiting to WOW and is growing restless...
We went into Belfast today in search of an electronics store and a bank. Mission accomplished on both counts. Can I say it's a pain to have to use different currencies without even going through customs? How can you tell where one starts and the other stops? I suppose I should just shut up and be happy there's no customs to deal with. Let's go with that.
So I needed to use the toilet (that's how they're all labeled over here), and we went into the local mall. On our way back out, I checked out the window to see what this Appy Feet place was. You go in, wash your feet, put them in a fish tank, and fish eat the dead skin off your feet. This would freak me out more if Clinton and I hadn't stumbled into this service in a tidal pool in Jacksonville. Anyway, I did it, made some nice friends (who wouldn't with fish eating your feet?), and I swear - not even paying much attention - I noticed that my feet felt softer on our way back to the car.
Dinner at the castle was really great and really cool. Restaurant is in the cellar and they've really pulled off a great mix of dressy casual, past-present, etc. Gotta run - Clinton has been patiently waiting to WOW and is growing restless...
Once Upon A Time
Today we drove to Northern Ireland. We are staying at a hotel and golf resort (ha! like we golf) outside of Belfast in a town called Templepatrick. I thought the countryside would be a nice contrast to our time in Dublin's city centre.
There was no border crossing, which I had anticipated, but everything seems to change at the border. Clinton says he can't tell much difference, yet to me... I don't know, it just feels different. They are on different currencies - The Irish Republic is on Euros while The North is on Pounds. Nothing like changing out more money.
We went exploring and Clinton discovered the Belfast Castle in our GPS, (Thank you, Garmin!) so off we went! It was easy to find, and - get this - the park is open 24/7 and admission is FREE not only to the park but also for the castle. Hello, US, take a lesson here.
Speaking of lessons, the story of the castle is:
We ate dinner at the hotel. More good food. Kati's trainer, Doug, and his mom said the food here was awful. The only thing I really haven't cared for was the steak and kidney pie - and I was really going out on a limb to try local flair with that one. I still managed to eat half of it (mostly the steak and pastry, but still).
I'm a day behind here. We had to buy a power cord with a local outlet-dealy today. Our other hotel took US.
There was no border crossing, which I had anticipated, but everything seems to change at the border. Clinton says he can't tell much difference, yet to me... I don't know, it just feels different. They are on different currencies - The Irish Republic is on Euros while The North is on Pounds. Nothing like changing out more money.
We went exploring and Clinton discovered the Belfast Castle in our GPS, (Thank you, Garmin!) so off we went! It was easy to find, and - get this - the park is open 24/7 and admission is FREE not only to the park but also for the castle. Hello, US, take a lesson here.
Speaking of lessons, the story of the castle is:
- some guy built it
- some guy who inherited it blew all his money on gambling, etc.
- that dude had to sell off all his holdings except castle and immediate land to pay off his debts
- some chick who was next in line married a rich guy who paid off the rest of it
- it got donated to the city
We ate dinner at the hotel. More good food. Kati's trainer, Doug, and his mom said the food here was awful. The only thing I really haven't cared for was the steak and kidney pie - and I was really going out on a limb to try local flair with that one. I still managed to eat half of it (mostly the steak and pastry, but still).
I'm a day behind here. We had to buy a power cord with a local outlet-dealy today. Our other hotel took US.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Crystal Clear
Yesterday we made a mid-day decision in favour of a road trip. Waterford was the closest city so off we went. We arrived rather late. Monday (5/2) was a "Bank Holiday," whatever that is, so we just wandered the streets.
Our visit was anything but crystal clear. The weather was what I expected here. It was overcast with an occasional drizzle - not too much on us since we weren't in rain gear. It's been sunny in Dublin since we arrived, and yesterday was no exception. I'm not checking the forecast so I don't jinx it.
Back to Waterford - I didn't want a tour and am not sure they were even open to give me one, though it looked like their store was open. Maybe it's silly, but I like the mystery behind my wine glasses.
For the most part, it was what we expected - colorful shopping and dining along the waterfront, rows of townhomes that look exactly like what you see on House Hunters International, It's Me or The Dog, or How Clean is Your House. We weren't prepared for the lovely (I swear, everything I see over here is either "lovely" or "magnificent") mansions on the hill. I really wasn't prepared to see that one of them was housing the Waterford branch of Earnst & Young.
We only went in one shop (most were closed as it was after 18:00) to see if they had a light windbreaker for Clinton. The weather here is so variable, not so much in temp but rather shifting with sun vs shade, wind vs calm. It just feels very different, even in walking a single block. I wish I had a suitcase full of coats.
Today's plan is to take a slew of photos in St. Stephen's Green. It's about half a block from where we are staying, and it's beautiful.
Our visit was anything but crystal clear. The weather was what I expected here. It was overcast with an occasional drizzle - not too much on us since we weren't in rain gear. It's been sunny in Dublin since we arrived, and yesterday was no exception. I'm not checking the forecast so I don't jinx it.
Back to Waterford - I didn't want a tour and am not sure they were even open to give me one, though it looked like their store was open. Maybe it's silly, but I like the mystery behind my wine glasses.
For the most part, it was what we expected - colorful shopping and dining along the waterfront, rows of townhomes that look exactly like what you see on House Hunters International, It's Me or The Dog, or How Clean is Your House. We weren't prepared for the lovely (I swear, everything I see over here is either "lovely" or "magnificent") mansions on the hill. I really wasn't prepared to see that one of them was housing the Waterford branch of Earnst & Young.
We only went in one shop (most were closed as it was after 18:00) to see if they had a light windbreaker for Clinton. The weather here is so variable, not so much in temp but rather shifting with sun vs shade, wind vs calm. It just feels very different, even in walking a single block. I wish I had a suitcase full of coats.
Today's plan is to take a slew of photos in St. Stephen's Green. It's about half a block from where we are staying, and it's beautiful.
Monday, May 2, 2011
And Another Thing
Where does all this blogging time come from? Quick bits here or there while Clinton is busy with something else.
So when we went to Foleys yesterday, it was really bizarre to see a Japanese face owned by a lass speaking English with an Irish accent. Put that down under the category of "Things We Were Not Expecting." And we weren't the only ones. We met a couple from Boston who has been here 25-35 times (as they estimate), and it wigged them out, too. ("Are we walking into a Chinese restaurant or something?")
Over dinner we met a really fun, fairly drunk Irishman. Of course, I hit him up for things to do and places to see. He recommended Slane Castle - already on my to visit list because it's where U2 recorded The Unforgettable Fire. It's one of his favorite albums, too. Also: Galway, Cork, and other places I either can't remember or locate on my map.
Today we purchased a GPS - something Clinton had thought about buying before our trip. It was cheaper than getting European maps added to my TomTom or iPhone. All the Irish one way streets and pedestrian walks and canals make local driving a small nightmare.
Clinton is looking at his watch. You know what that means. So long!
So when we went to Foleys yesterday, it was really bizarre to see a Japanese face owned by a lass speaking English with an Irish accent. Put that down under the category of "Things We Were Not Expecting." And we weren't the only ones. We met a couple from Boston who has been here 25-35 times (as they estimate), and it wigged them out, too. ("Are we walking into a Chinese restaurant or something?")
Over dinner we met a really fun, fairly drunk Irishman. Of course, I hit him up for things to do and places to see. He recommended Slane Castle - already on my to visit list because it's where U2 recorded The Unforgettable Fire. It's one of his favorite albums, too. Also: Galway, Cork, and other places I either can't remember or locate on my map.
Today we purchased a GPS - something Clinton had thought about buying before our trip. It was cheaper than getting European maps added to my TomTom or iPhone. All the Irish one way streets and pedestrian walks and canals make local driving a small nightmare.
Clinton is looking at his watch. You know what that means. So long!
Ireland Day 2
Slept in til 1:30. Awesome since we barely slept on the plane. Clinton gave me 10 (yes, 10, goodie-goodie) when we got up, lovely pieces of turquoise jewelry that coordinated with each other. I wore the starfish earrings.
Ate at Foleys - a local pub. I had an Irish breakfast accompanied by a cup of tea - which turned out to be a pot of tea. Yum. I am so back on caffeine for the week. Clinton had the seafood pie - cockles, scallops, etc., yummy, also.
Whoever said Irish food wasn't good obviously didn't appreciate the seafood, the lamb, the sausages - okay, I will concede that black pudding and white pudding are acquired tastes (I like both), but still! If you do your research on the specialties of any area, it makes it easier to root out the tasty dishes. (Yes, Kati, please share this with Doug during one of your torture sessions.)
Took a carriage tour around Dublin past Bono's flat. I can now scout stalking locations. We found a mall here - it's a plaza type deal with streets blocked from cars.
Must go - hard to function without my morning cup of tea...
Ate at Foleys - a local pub. I had an Irish breakfast accompanied by a cup of tea - which turned out to be a pot of tea. Yum. I am so back on caffeine for the week. Clinton had the seafood pie - cockles, scallops, etc., yummy, also.
Whoever said Irish food wasn't good obviously didn't appreciate the seafood, the lamb, the sausages - okay, I will concede that black pudding and white pudding are acquired tastes (I like both), but still! If you do your research on the specialties of any area, it makes it easier to root out the tasty dishes. (Yes, Kati, please share this with Doug during one of your torture sessions.)
Took a carriage tour around Dublin past Bono's flat. I can now scout stalking locations. We found a mall here - it's a plaza type deal with streets blocked from cars.
Must go - hard to function without my morning cup of tea...
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Aye, We've Arrived!
We had a shocking flight:
Customs was very cordial. The car rental gave us the option for an upgrade, which worked out very well because I don't know how our luggage would have fit in anything smaller.
We took a Family Vacation style tour of Dublin - Look kids! Big Ben! - in search of our hotel. The map the gave us couldn't have been less helpful. We finally asked a cabby for directions. It turned out to be "literally right around the corner," but with 17 or so turns, they didn't even try to give us directions and just led us here.
Signing off in search of dinner.
- 2 meals - one of them hot
- free beer and wine
- hardwood floors in the lavatory
Customs was very cordial. The car rental gave us the option for an upgrade, which worked out very well because I don't know how our luggage would have fit in anything smaller.
We took a Family Vacation style tour of Dublin - Look kids! Big Ben! - in search of our hotel. The map the gave us couldn't have been less helpful. We finally asked a cabby for directions. It turned out to be "literally right around the corner," but with 17 or so turns, they didn't even try to give us directions and just led us here.
Signing off in search of dinner.
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