Dublin

The past few days I have been exploring Dublin. Overall it is a nice city though there are a lot of people here right now and it really gets worse in the evenings when everyone is off work. I took the free walking tour of Dublin the other day and then afterwords I went and saw the Book of Kells and the Old Library.

I really enjoyed the Old Library there was so many books there. It is just walls and walls of books some I am sure could be quite interesting if they would only let me read them. In the library there was an exhibition on medicine and how people thought things where caused and what would treat them. This was also quite neat and the artifacts that they had on display I felt were informative.

Molly Malone or the Tart with the Cart as the Dubliniers call her

I also went to the Museum of Archaeology and got to see "bog man". These were people who were most likely sacrificed to insure a kings rein, or so they say. They were placed into the bogs throughout Ireland and due to the make up of the bogs this allowed for in many cases very good preservation of the bodies and goods around them. The displays they had here were thought provoking about the ancient cultures.

In another area of the museum they had some Viking relics. Many of them came from Dublin itself. This was because in the 80's when a building was being built they found an almost intact settlement along the river. They took what they could but something happened and the site was not preserved and now a council building sits above where the Viking once were, destroying any remaining evidence and information about the site.

While walking around Dublin there are lots of statues and some are of people but some are memorials to those who died throughout Ireland's past. One of these is a famine memorial down near the river, right next to the replica of a coffin ship the Jeanie Johnson. This ship was the only one not to lose any passengers on the way over.

I have enjoyed my stay here in Dublin and I plan on walking around some more and trying to see some areas that are more Irish on my last day in Ireland tomorrow, that way I can have a nice relaxing day before my trip home.

Jeanie Johnston

4 Days Left :(

Only four days left before my trip to Europe ends. I have had fun the in the past weeks and I have enjoyed my time here in Ireland and the UK. I have met lovely people and have learned that I do not like the the fact that many sites do not have any one to ask questions of or any real information about the site. At others I have to buy a book to learn anything about the site and there are very few guided tours of sites and the ones that have guided tours are quite large and it is hard to hear anything.

But since I only have a few days left I am off to explore Dublin and make the most of my last few days overseas.

Galway to Cork to Ring of Kerry to Dublin

 From the city of Galway the travels continued down the west cost of Ireland stopping by Dingle and then on to Cork. There were stops along the way at some abbeys, landscapes that are called lunar landscapes, and the Cliffs of Moher. There have been some issues with the trips and some places being over booked so we stopped early at Blarney Castle. The gardens in the castle were very nice, I enjoyed the rock close there were way to many people in the castle itself.

Blarney Castle

After leaving Blarney we headed to the Ring of Kerry and Killarney. There was plenty of rugged coastline along the way with a stop in the National Park for a quick walk up to a waterfall.

Over the course of the tour I met some really cool people. I have enjoyed getting to know them and I wish them all the best on there travels.

Shona, Me, Sam, and Amy After the tour in Dublin

Travels Through Ireland Continued

After a few nights in Derry (LondonDerry) we went to Glenveagh National Park where a castle was built next to a lake and the guy who built the castle displaced tenants so that he could have his hunting lodge. We also stayed in the town where the John Wayne movie The Quiet Man was filmed. I have also seen several monasteries and abbey ruins as well as St. Patrick's hill a sacred mountain here in Ireland, didn't make it all the way up due to time constraints. There have been old stone forts and ruins from past civilizations. At one point we stopped near a town that had a castle that was turned into a hotel, the going rate of which is apparently 700 Euro a night! Overall the past few days I have gotten to see things that I would not have gotten to see had I been travelling by myself. I have also gotten a nice dose of history from the bus driver/guide as well. The people I have been travelling with have been fun to hang out with and they are all nice.

10 Day all Ireland Tour

I have started a 10 day all Ireland tour. I got tired of planning my trip and not really meeting people that I could hang out with several days in a row. The first day we travelled up to Belfast and saw some interesting sights along the way. While in Belfast I did a Black Taxi Tour that was something to hear about the troubles which are recent and ongoing.

One of the stops that we did was the ruins of a monastery. At there monastery there was some information about what the designs on the Celtic Crosses mean.

Today we travelled along the north coast of Northern Ireland and I visited Giants Causeway I got to see some new things that I had not previously seen.

I have made several new friends this trip and so far I have been having a blast.

New Friends at Giants Causeway

Tramore

This weekend was spent down by the beach. It was nice and warm, at least when the sun was shining and I was on the other side of the dune from the wind. I had some pretty nice weather and enjoyed walking down the 3km beach. I found this past weekend quite relaxing as I wasn't running around trying to see something or felt like I needed to go see something. I enjoyed listening to the ocean on the other side of the dune as I read a book. While Tramore is well known for its surfing, or so I hear, I did not participate something to do with the really cold water.

Today I also realized just how short my time in Europe is coming just a little over two weeks before I make the journey back to the US. I know I will miss it but at the same time I have enjoyed my time here and have learned a lot about myself during my travels. Off to have some fun for the little bit of time I have left!

Ireland

I have arrived for the last leg of my journey, Ireland. I will be finishing up the journey in Dublin. The past few days I visited Kilkenny, and Glendalough. I would enjoy going back and spending more time down that way which I might near the end of my trip. I probably will not be seeing as many castles in Ireland as I kinda overwhelmed myself with castles while in Wales.

Dublin is a very confusing city but as long as I am near the river and have a map I count how many bridges till I need to turn!

Upper Lake Glendalough

Snowdonia

The past few days I have been relaxing in Betws-y-Coed. This is a lovely spot near Snowdonia National Park. The day I arrived I went to hike up to a lake part of the way there I found a lovely spot to eat lunch and then I took a nap, never actually made it to the lake. Today I went on another hike and it was very nice. This place has been very relaxing for me and I hope that one day I will get to explore more of the national park.

North Wales

The past few days I have been in North Wales so far it has been beautiful. The town is right next to the shore and is pretty small. Everything is pretty close here in North Wales so I should be able to make it to Snowdonia soon.  After Wales it will be off to Ireland for my last few weeks in Europe. I have been having a blast so far and been meeting some pretty cool people.

I have been visiting some more castles as Wales has plenty though the lady at the tourist information said you sure are picking the smaller and less known ones. The weather is nice and warm I really wish I had different sandals with me so I could walk along the beach.

Conwy Castle

Wales

Wales is going to be tough for my wallet but really good for my dragon collection! I have actually decided to limit myself to one new dragon purchase, I know that I will want to buy several but one should be ok.

Wales has a pretty good transportation system not so much a system of cheap hostels like the rest of the UK. This means that I may not get to see everything I would like to see.

Over the past few days I have visited three castles that were restored by the Fourth Marquis of Bute, he had a lot of other titles and was very rich. He restored two castles on the outside to look like what they would have in the medieval times the insides though were what the Victorians thought they did. The third castle was partially restored but was never intended to live there.

The three castles were Cardiff Castle, Castle Coch, and Caerphilly  Castle. Cardiff was nice but kinda eh, though they are trying to make it seem more lively but with just mostly walls left it will be hard. Castle Coch looked really cool on the outside was nice and small inside horrible taste in decoration. The area though was quite nice and I enjoyed that. The third castle is my favorite so far. It is a restored ruin with lots of little nooks and crannies that make it interesting. I enjoyed exploring Caerphilly Castle.

Caerphilly Castle

Bath

Today I visited Bath it is a nice town very relaxing, though that may be because the tourists are not here yet. The town is sitting over the top of what was once a Roman town and possibly even older civilizations than that. The Roman town had a temple dedicated to Minerva because it was one of the few places that has a hot spring. Apparently this is the only one in Britain.

Roman Baths- reservoir over the spring

I enjoyed visiting the Roman Baths and walking around the town today it was interesting to see and explore. I finally had my afternoon tea in a little tea shop around the corner. It was quite nice and relaxing.

Stonehenge, Avenbury, and Glastonbury

Today I visited three places that were on my I really got to see list Stonehenge, Avenbury, and Glastonbury.

Avenbury was quite nice because there were more sheep than people out amongst the circle. This circle goes around the village that is partly in the middle of it.

Stonehenge was really a bit smaller that I was expecting but over all I enjoyed the experience of visiting this very interesting spot.

Glastonbury was probably my favorite though I wish that I had more time there so that I could have climbed the tor. During the visit we stopped at the chalice well and had a drink from the healing waters and I washed my feet in the healing pool of King Arthur. Afterwords I got to explore Glastonbury Abbey. This abbey is in ruins but it was still nice to visit and to explore this large site with the ruins all around.

Glastonbury Abbey

Palace of Versailles

Over the weekend while I was in Paris I went to the Palace of Versailles. Even though the gardens were not yet in bloom, the fountains turned off, and some of the statues covered it was still quite nice. I did a tour out there so that I could actually learn about the statues and such and a little about the kings who lived there and how the château came to be. I did go inside as well I figured the "off" season would be a good time though there where still lots of people there. Unlike Holyrood this palace really seemed over the top.

This is one of the fountains in the gardens the Apollo Fountain supposedly as he is coming out with the sun to go across the sky though with the water and the merpeople it really reminds me more of poseidon or Neptune as this was based more on the Romans than Greeks.

Apollo Fountain

Paris

For a weekend away from the UK you can't beat Paris, it is really close by train or if you can't afford that a coach is the way to go. There are even overnight coaches save your self a night  or two in a hostel!

Here I am in the wonderful, pretty, and stinky city of Paris. So far it has been nice and sunny well except for the past few hours. If one ever decides to go to Paris while many of the shop keepers speak English ordering food can be tough because the menus are in French. So far so good though today it helped that I hung out with one of the girls I met in Belfast, it just so happens she can speak French.

Over the past two days I have visited many of the tourists spots and have found them quite nice, though I didn't go to the top of any of the monuments just due to the fact that well Paris is an expensive city.

Eiffel Tower

So my spell check is trying to tell me that most words are spelled wrong and gives me French suggestions!

Baker Street

Today as I am not feeling 100% I only went to Baker Street to see the Sherlock Homes Museum. It was intresting as they have it in an actual boarding house from the victorian era. They had quite a few antiques and a really fancy wall decoractions. I spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping so that I could get better faster so that way I can have fun this weekend.

London

Today I flew off to never never land or as close as I could get, the statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. I also walked around Hyde Park visited Harrods, that was something though the food section inside was quite nice I am suprised I didn't walk out with a bunch of chocolate. I also visited the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Wicked/London

So have been in London for a few days and have been to the British Museum and saw the mummy's and the Rosetta stone, each was quite interesting. Today, I went on a free walking tour of London that was very good, mostly thanks to the guide. I even got to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. After the tour me and a few others went to the Tower of London. Both in and the changing of the guard seemed very cliche though that could be just the sheer amount of people that were there.

Tonight however was quite different, I got to see Wicked the Musical. It was amazing. I am very glad that I finally got to see it. Though I noticed that it seems that people do not even kinda dress up for the theater anymore as there were people in blue jeans and hoodies. I did enjoy the musical greatly though and they had some good performers. It was a lot funnier at times than I was expecting. I hope to get to see it again someday.

Nottingham

The past few days I was in Nottingham following in the footsteps of Robin Hood and his merry men. I saw Nottingham Castle and was tried at Crime and Punishment. I did not make it out to Sherwood forest just because it was the weekend and the buses were not running that frequently. I am debating about going to Paris next weekend I need to make up my mind soon so I can book where I am going to be this weekend to make sure I have a room!

More Edinburgh



Ruins along the path to Arthur's Seat

 Today started out not so great but ended up quite sunny and I had great views from Arthur's Seat. It was a lovely hike up to the top. Before hiking up to the top I stopped at Holyrood Palace the Queens official residence in Scotland. It was interesting sight but since it is still a residence there is not a lot that I could see inside and could not take pictures.

Over the past few days I have run into some interesting characters along the royal mile. Maybe I will be able to post pictures when I get to a place that has a bit better Internet connection.

Along the side streets and closes through out Edinburgh there are lots of little interesting shops, so far I have managed not to buy to much since I don't really have space for it!

Edinburgh

Yesterday I went to Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle. It was snowy and cloudy so many of my pictures did not come out all that well. On the way back from Loch Lomond the coach went through the Trossacks National Park, it was a very scenic drive.

Today it was a bit better and I went to Edinburgh Castle and had some lovely views before the fog came back in. While I was at the castle Princess Anne stopped by to unveil a statue.

Today I also visited a weaving mill and got a piece of the family tartan and I learned that the surname white could also be MacGregor as they were a sub group of the clan and when the name was outlawed.

Inverness/Loch Ness

The past few days were spent in Inverness which is near Loch Ness so yes I went Nessie hunting. Though didn't see anything. I was able to take a cruise across the loch and up to Urquhart Castle which was blown up to prevent the Jacobites from getting it.

The weather was quite cold and it started to snow while I was in Inverness. They actually got quite a bit.

Urquhart Castle

Oban

After leaving Glasgow I have traveled to Oban a little sea side town. The past few days it has been really cold, windy, and rainy. I was unable to go over to the Island of Mull and Iona due to the fact that I was worried that the ferries would not be going. Sure enough several have been cancelled. I have however kept busy by visiting a distellery and seeing sites around Oban. Today I took a tour out to some islands where they mined slate. It was a very nice scenery just a little cold and rainy.

Last night one of the ladies who is in the same dorm as I made me haggis so that I could try it the correct way with neeps and tatties. It is actually really good.

Bridge over the Atlantic

Scotland!

I have been in Scotland since Saturday and am going to continue my journey today. Over the past few days I have seen a variety of different things. I also learned that I do not like art museums and think they are dull. I also learned about a water based hovercraft that was designed here in Scotland in the early 60's. Overall a very productive week so far.

Belfast!

So I made it safely to Belfast after flying into Dublin earlier today. I met some nice people along the way. I am in the hostel now and there are several nice people that I have met already.  I am a little tired after traveling and not a who lot of sleep.

I had my first pint of Guinness, it really was a lot better than I was expecting. The next few days here in Northern Ireland should be a lot of fun and I am looking foward to them.

Almost Time to Leave!

Its less than two weeks till I leave for Europe, I am getting very excited. There is still a lot of planning to do before I leave, I had better get to it! This blog is for my family and friends who may be interested in where I am at and what I have been up to during my travels abroad.

Well time to get back to planning my itinerary I seem to be having some difficulty figuring out what I all I want to see and do. Good thing I am only visiting Ireland and Great Britain.

If anybody has some must sees let me know!