We tooled around that area a bit longer and then walked to the Phoenix Park. The park is one of the if not the largest parks within a city proper in Europe. We found this awesome old tree that we played around on for awhile, I gave it a hug and a kiss because it was just that cool. I really wanted to kick my boots off and go for a climb but i didn't figure that would go over to well the the locals.There were some baby ducks in the pond below the tree bitching for mommy, it made me laugh to see her swim back from the other side when they started calling her. We spent some time laying on one of the lawns then went in search of the Military magazine that's also located in the park. On the way to it we were treated with some spectacular views of Irish flora. The magazine was pretty awesome, classical location on top of a hill with a 360 degree view. I made James run up it shouting AARRRRG just for the hell of it, I giggled...a lot. While we were there some clouds started rolling in, crazy dark clouds and then next to them clear sunny blue patches...weather in Ireland is almost as fickle as Austins aparently.

<3
Amanda

(edit) - James on to CORK!!!

written by  Slade's Elucidation on June 24, 2008 from Dublin, Ireland
from the travel blog: Slade's Elucidation
tagged Dublin, Ireland and Cork
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Blarney castle rocked. Somehow they’ve managed to keep it from getting too touristy. We tromped around the castle for a while, kissed the Stone, and went exploring the grounds.

The pictures do it way more justice than I could with words.

Blarney Castle

Tower at Blarney Castle

When we got to the Cliffs of Moher we we’re greeted by the cheery news that part of it was closed because someone had just jumped off the cliff…committing suicide. Setting that aside we enjoyed the amazing view even if it was a bit obscured due to the mist.

There’s a lot more to say but yeah, food and pubs a calling.

Oh by the way, James and I have been married 4 whole whopping years today. Happy Anniversary baby!

Amanda

p.s. I'll edit this with pics soon as I get a chance. probably after we head to Scotland tomorrow.

written by  Slade's Elucidation on June 29, 2008 from Galway, Ireland
from the travel blog: Slade's Elucidation
tagged Ireland, Cork, Galway, CliffsOfMoher and BlarneyCastle
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Really miss you guys and gals and wish you could come taste Europe with us for a few. Cause it'd be just so awesome we might esplode all over these people.

Love y'all!!!
James n Amanda

written by  Slade's Elucidation on June 30, 2008 from Edinburgh, United Kingdom
from the travel blog: Slade's Elucidation
tagged Edinburgh, Ireland and TrafficCones
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Also, Jenn is waiting on her wool coat to arrive in time after I bought mine last week. Too warm here in Florida to wear it before we leave, but there have been blizzard conditions in parts of Northern Europe this week, so we are trying to be prepared for the cold if needed.

The next travel blog entry should be the day we leave or after arrival in Dublin, Irleland on New Year's Eve. Thanks for all the well wishes.

written by  dmongosa on December 26, 2009 from New Smyrna Beach, United States
from the travel blog: Dan and Jenn's European Honeymoon
tagged Honeymoon, Jenn, Ireland, Dan, Jennifer, Mongosa and NewSmyrnaBeach
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I survived the packing experience with only a mildly traumatic sensation of ‘there’s something I’m forgetting’. First aid kit, tampons (sorry to all male readers), shampoo, a travel towel, a compass (always necessary, especially with my awful sense of direction - which way’s north again?), undies, socks and then the not-so-essential things: my passports, Eurail passes and clothes.

Anyway, so I think I’m prepared for everything up to and including a nuclear apocalypse, and, if you believe my brother, that could actually be quite soon.

And, despite Ryanair’s best attempts, I made it to Dublin in one, mostly undamaged piece. This city is amazing.

It’s really similar to Amsterdam, but I feel a lot more comfortable here (for the obvious reason that makes Amsterdam one of the main tourist destinations). Let’s just say Dublin is a more PG version and leave it at that.

There are statues on every street corner, people busking at the sides, tons of interesting, little shops, no shortage of internet cafes, and it’s all within reasonable walking distance. O’ Connell Street was my first delightful discovery and, once on that, it’s so easy to find everything.

My host was friendly and welcoming, but unfortunately had to work most of the time, so I barely saw him. But, despite that, I had the house key and a plan!

I’d checked couchsurfing events and found one! My aim: arrive at the meeting and get to know a whole bunch of people. I showed up, rang the bell and a guy came out. “I’m here for the couchsurfing meeting?” He just looked at me. There was no meeting that night. That’s on Wednesdays. It was a Thursday. Once again, I’d failed to read something correctly.

But, Andy (as I later learned was his name) told me to come inside anyway. And that was probably the best thing that could have happened to me.

The hangout is kind of like a communal place where anarchists and activists and like-minded people spend their free time. So far I’ve attended a squat group meeting, learned how to make seed-bombs, joined an anti-fur protest and have made some awesome friends. And tonight I get to hear Erik sing! That should be interesting….

And last night I met up with another couch surfer, Tom, and had my first pint of Guinness. It was good. You know, for beer. But nevertheless, it’s still BEER. Cider and cocktails all the way. Oh, and shots, don’t forget those. And I’m not actually an alcoholic, if you’re wondering.

Hmmm, what else can I say? I went to Dublin Prison for a tour with two other couch surfers, I went to Phoenix Park, the National Art Museum, the National Museum, the Chester Beatty Library, wandered through Trinity College, saw Dublin Castle, Christ Church, went along the river, lay in the sun in Remembrance Park, stared up at the spire and got a sore neck (it’s SO high), and am now in an internet café updating everyone so they don’t convince themselves that I’m dead and am in need of rescuing.

The point is: I am having an amazing time. Dublin is great. Visit it. That’s an order.

Tomorrow I’m heading down toward Kilkenny to stay with a new host, so here’s hoping that I don’t miss my bus at ten in the morning!

written by  Brigid Jelsma on April 2, 2011 from Dublin, Ireland
from the travel blog: Walk a little further to another plan
tagged Ireland
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Erik and his band played and they were brillinat! Their band's name is the gaelic word for Anarchy, so you can pretty much guess what they were singing about. Then this other guy I hadn't met before took the stage with his band and for the first time in my life I had a song dedicated to me by a musician! He pointed at me, asked my name and said, 'This song is for Brigid'.

Let's just say, I was pretty chuffed.

And to make it even more awesome, he really could sing! I would actually buy their album if they ever get stuff recorded.

Afterwards, we got chatting and I discovered his name - Brian. Then I convinced him to meet me somewhere in Waterford to join me for my trip across Ireland, but I don't think he can get away from work and stuff so spontaneously. But, anyway, another friendship was forged!

Oooh, and, on that note, I also made friends with this Polish man and he's very nearly convinced me to throw Poland into my trip as well!!! But I'll just have to see where I am and how I'm feeling by the time I get to eastern Europe.

Then there was a minor disaster - Aga, who I was meant to stay with that night came looking for me, but just missed me. And her phone wasn't working - PANIC. But it was actually quite comical. Andy, Erik and Conner found it highly amusing because, as they put it, 'We wouldn't leave you out on the streets, you know?'

I ended up walking up to random people at Seomra Spraoi and asking them if they had a 'free couch, bed, spot on the floor, anything?' Once that was sorted (and you'll be amazed at how many people were willing to help) I could finally relax and enjoy the terrible dance music that Brian's housemate was DJing.

Yesterday morning, I hopped on a bus, ditched Dublin and headed towards a tiny little village in the middle of nowhere. Leighlinbridge. And, when I say 'tiny', I really mean it. There is one tiny little corner shop that serves as the village supermarket. Granted, there are loads of pubs and one touristy hotel (in which I'm currently sitting and stealing internet), but STILL! It's absolutely lovely.

I went for a really nice walk (with my massive backpack on my back and my little backpack on my front) along the river, killing time and stopping randomly when my shoulders started to complain. Then I found a nice little corner to fall alseep in, hugging my bags and wriggling until I was comfortable.

Then I moved a little further along the path and fell asleep in a new spot, and so on and so forth until a fisherman who had seen me pass him a few dozen times eventually sat with me and offered me a beer, and we got chatting.

It was wonderful!

Then I met up with Aileen (my couch surfing host) and was shown the luxurious room I was to stay in. Aileen is amazing. She welcomed me to stay despite the short notice of my request, and has gone above and beyond what's required of a host. Plus, she has REALLY great taste in music!

Today I am just going to chill out and take it easy, recover from the late nights in Dublin and wander around the town. I'm quite looking forward to it, actually.

written by  Brigid Jelsma on April 4, 2011 from Leighlinbridge, Ireland
from the travel blog: Walk a little further to another plan
tagged Ireland
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Leaving Leighlinbridge was a bit sad, as I had a really great time there with Aileen and the town is absolutely charming. We went out the previous night to a little pub with Aileen's friend, Ben - a wonderful guy who is really great fun, and three ladies from various countries in Africa. It definitely made a night!

But, yes, I hitchhiked away.

People are so amazing!! One young Polish man was so concerned about me he gave me his number to call if I had any problems and lifted me well out of his way. Another Irish bloke drove me pretty much right up to the address I was staying at. It was great fun! Even the bits of lull in between lifts, walking through random little towns, alongside fields of curious sheep.

And then I met Joe, the couchsurfer I'm staying with at the moment. And then I met his baby, Fay. Adorable! Such a cute little munchkin!!!

I actually got to look after her for a few hours and we wandered around Kilkenny Castle. She loves flowers. I am so tempted to kidnap her, honestly!

But the whole family is wonderful. Susie is from Switzerland, Joe teaches a form of martial arts, Fay is an angel (most of the time) and Sam is the cutest little lad ever. Today Joe was awesome enough to take me around the area, walking through forests, along rivers, drinking from holy wells and exploring monastries.

I really love Ireland. I could easily live here. So much open space. Lush green fields. Ruins covered in moss. Loads of interesting mythology. People who just chat to you without prompting. It's wonderful.

I'm sitting in a little pub in Thomastown, sipping a Magners. I think I'll actually survive this trip.

written by  Brigid Jelsma on April 6, 2011 from Thomastown, Ireland
from the travel blog: Walk a little further to another plan
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So, with reasonable ease I arrived in Tramore, literally thirty yards away from where Karen, my wonderful couch host, is staying.

Karen is one of those veteran couch surfers. She's hosted over two hundred people! But, despite this, she's still taking the time and effort to get to know me. I borrowed one of her bikes and set off on a trip around the lovely seaside town: passing through fields and over cliffs and through forests, and then riding alongside the beach and then making my way up (unfortunately VERY up) the slope through the charming town.

I got into a long discussion with a guy who sells pancakes on the sea shore (these Irish are so damn friendly), I discovered a haunted well, I nearly ran over an old man (who just laughed and gave me a big, toothy grin) and I was accosted by American tourists.

There is one terrible thing, though. In my room. On the dresser. Before the mirror. There is a doll. And it watches me. How the hell am I going to sleep?

Am I a wuss? I am, aren't I?

written by  Brigid Jelsma on April 7, 2011 from Tramore, Ireland
from the travel blog: Walk a little further to another plan
tagged Ireland
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Last night we had a potluck at Karen's place and that was great fun: Irish people sitting at a table, plenty of alcohol, pancakes and good music (courtesy of my Ipod, so I might be a bit biased on that point). Most of them live in Tramore, so, as you can imagine, there was quite a bit of local gossip - highly entertaining for me - and discussion on the best places to visit in Ireland.

Too many people have told me that I just HAVE to go to Galway, so I'm cutting my stay in Cork by one day. From here I'll head to Dingle for two nights and then up to Gort (just south of Galway) for two nights before my flight to Nantes on the 14th. To be honest I'm definitely regretting pre-booking that ticket, as I could definitely spend another few weeks (or more) in Ireland, and I've become friends with so many wonderful people.

But, then again, maybe it's a good thing, because I'd probably just end up living here for the rest of my life. And that's not a viable option (I value my life and I know certain persons who will kill me if I don't make it home at the end of this year).

Ooooh, and an update: I can actually cook! This revelation was brought about by Aileen and then Karen serving as my guinea pigs. So, yes, one recipe that I can actually make and that actually tastes delicious (and I did say so myself). Bean casserole. More specifically, Andy's bean casserole. It's saved me from being a complete failure of a chef.

Thank you, Andy.

Right, back to the topic. Ireland. It is unfairly beautiful and diverse. It pretty much has everything that I love. Fields of green, wide open spaces, forests, cliffs, beaches, cute towns, clean, thriving cities, people who smile and chat to you without hesitation, and so much more. The Irish are wonderful too. Aboot - About. Tink - Think. Fair play - nice move. Feck - expletive I won't write owing to the fact that my mother reads this. Feen - guy/lad. Dander - stroll.

This phrase made me laugh for AGES: I was so drunk, I put my jeans to bed and hung myself over the chair.

And then the most obvious: craic (pronounced 'crack') - fun (coarse translation).

One last thing. Supermac's are cheap, have toilets and free wifi. Just in case anyone else is wandering around debating whether food or internet access is more worth your measly 3 euros.

:)

written by  Brigid Jelsma on April 9, 2011 from Cork, Ireland
from the travel blog: Walk a little further to another plan
tagged Ireland
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