(Finally) Finishing Ireland

FROM DANI:
7/8-16

Our next destination was Glenstal Abbey which is a Benedictine monastery set on a 500 acre estate. We have a close friend who has been there and done silent retreats with the monks. It was a wonderfully peaceful stop situated about 12 miles east of Limerick city but feels much more remote. We enjoyed a quiet afternoon (this was the day Mark drove on the wrong side of the road) and went to vespers in the evening and had a yummy meal in the village of Murroe where Glenstal is located.

We awoke, ate another huge breakfast and then set out for the Cliffs of Moher. Impressive, to say the least! It was a sunny day (yeah) and we enjoyed the endless sea views as well as the big drop down. The highlight for me was seeing Puffin (although they were tiny even with the 2 Euro sightseer binocs). I've wanted to see this bird since the forth grade when it graced the cover of my spelling book. And it was well worth it! We continued on and stayed in a private room at the Allie River Hostel and enjoyed some local music (played by folks near the front door) while we bumped around other cooks in the big kitchen. We slept well to the sound of pattering rain and the little creek that wound by our place.

Next, more driving through beautiful scenery! We drove through The Burren and Connemara and stopped for photos and to take in the countryside. I particularly enjoyed the lakes in the Connemara! Amazingly twisty roads through gorgeous landscape. We found another hostel, dropped our stuff, drove around the lakes and took in an 18-hole putt putt course (Ireland is known for it's golfing!). It was a fun break from travel, even though Mark won!

The next morning we headed for and checked out Galway. Honestly, I'm kinda fuzzy on it as in the afternoon we drove across Ireland (west to east) because our car was due back the next day. Sorry, Galway--better luck next time! :) Oh, I think we ate doner kebab and hung out in a used bookshop here. Yep. Then we drove! We stayed that night just north of Dublin near Slane castle in a farm hostel. We took dorm beds in a 8 or 10 bed room but had the place to ourselves (a funny way to save some cash!). We enjoyed a beautiful sunset and Mark took some amazing pictures of sheep!!

We awoke to drive our car back to the Dublin airport and returned it without problem (thankfully). We took the bus into the city and headed for our reserved accomodations at Trinity College. We stayed in a quad with a kitchen and enjoyed university breakfast every morning. It was fun living "on campus". Dublin probably didn't get a fair shake because we were in going home mode...already thinking about the future. But, we did do a Trinity College tour, saw the Book of Kells, had a drink at Octagon Bar (inside The Clarence Hotel, owned by Bono and The Edge). Mark took a swim at the pool on campus and I took a historical walking tour. We also started reading The Shadow of the Wind together.

Our last day of holiday was spent in London. We caught a RyanAir flight to Gatwick, a quick train to the city, the tube to our hotel (the same we had stayed at 3 years ago), and spent the afternoon walking. Beautiful day - warm and sunny!!!!! Then, we jumped back on the tube and headed for my favorite restaurant (so far) in the world. We had eaten there on a previous trip and it lived up to the memories. If you're in London, take the black line to the Angel stop and walk to Galipoli! Well worth it!!!

And then, we flew home to Chicago. My dad picked us up at the airport and we made our way to Maquoketa, Ia.

We were gone 58 days...but the time flew by. Can't wait to travel again soon!