So we got to the Blarney Castle. It was absolutely fairy tale like. The grounds and gardens were all in bloom. Weather was clear and sunny. The climb to the top of the castle was a steep windy staircase of 100 steps. Once at the top, you could see for ever. It was so pretty! There was a line to kiss the Blarney Stone. Now kissing the stone is not an easy feat. It is part of the castle wall and to get to it you must lay down on your back lean your head back over the edge and then kiss the stone. It sounds perilous but it's all set up real nice for tourists nowadays. There is a guy sitting there and his whole job all day is to hold people . You lay down on a mat, grab hold of the iron bars for safety, let the man lay you back and hold your hands, and then the photographer snaps your picture and snaps it again as you smooch the stone. Then you're done! Next!
We got in the bus after a good lunch and a bit of shopping and headed off to Kilarney. Our hotel here was wonderful too. We would stay here 2 nights.
The next morning we did an optional tour. We were curious as to what it was because in the itinerary it stated "Jaunting Car ride". Jaunting? Hmmm.. we just had to do it! Well, it turns out that it was a horse and carriage ride. A little jaunting..but not what I was expecting. They took us through Killarney National Forest. We saw deer, and ducks, and castles, and lots of beautiful flowers and trees. It sprinkled on us a little bit but it couldn't have been prettier!
Now we were headed to the Ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is a gorgeous drive around the coast. Up mountains, and around the coastline..took lots of pictures and ooohed and aaahed. Couldn't believe how pretty is was. Again, we had just perfect weather!
5 days into the trip and I was talking to Larry on the phone. He told me that Sam had just said to him "Where's mom?" 5 days I was gone and he just now notices!!??
Anyway... We went with some of the tour people to 2 pubs that night. We had a good time listening to Irish music and trying different drinks.
The last day we woke up to rain and wind. Can't complain though because it had been so nice the whole trip! We took a ferry across the river Shannon. It was a small ferry. A few buses and cars fit on it. It had a small deck that you could go up on and look around. We got off the bus and got out to take pictures and it was cold and windy!! We took our pictures and jumped back on the bus. As we were sitting there warming up we were watching some of our other tour people up on the deck...when a huge wave came and splashed them all! We were so glad we had gotten in the bus when we did!
We drove on to the Cliffs of Moehr. These are supposed to be some incredible cliffs. Very dramatic. Well, when we got there it was still raining and cloudy and we ended up not being able to see a thing! I guess we'll have to go back and see them someday!
Then we were off to our last hotel. It was Bonratty Castle. Very nice. 4 star. The tour company had set us up to have a real medieval dinner in the Bonratty Castle. Great food and singing. Definitely beat Medieval Times here in Dallas!
Then, like that, our trip was over. We had to get up at 4 am the next morning to fly back to Dublin and then fly back to NYC. Spent one more night in NYC--didn't want to rush getting back! And then flew home.
It was a wonderful adventure! Got to see so many things and had a great time with my good friend Becky. It was a good first outing for her. They speak English there-so that was nice. Even if they can't say anything with "th". Our bus driver would say, "I tink dere may be turty tree steps!" Just imagine it! What a hoot!
Good times! Can't wait to find out where our next adventure takes us!
