On our way to Edinburgh and 2 days away from the London Triangle and the most crazy travel one can do in a day it's insane but you will hear about that soon.
Now you may ask why Cork what is there to do? Well I will tell you the great Blarney Castle and after that not to much in Cork but that's ok.
Both Katie and I took the public bus to Blarney and made it there and back all in one piece. The Blarney area was beautiful. All different colorful flowers and a lake. We first started off at the main attraction which was 100 steps with a very narrow winding staircase with little rooms off to the side. Once we were at the top we kissed the blarney stone which you need to do by going on your back to the point where your but is at the ledge and kiss the stone. No worries love ( they say love over here all the time it's brilliant) there are bars below so you can't fall through and a man who is holding you.
So now I have been gifted with the gift of gab/eloquence which is an incredible gift if I do say so myself.
After the castle and it's other rooms we went to the blarney estate/ home which modern day people still live in. It had beautiful chandeliers and an amazing view of the lake. The house had beautiful artwork of the past families who lived there and a beautiful wood piano which the children of the house can only play on until they master the piano on a Caseo. The house itself housed a table that Princess Diana used for her wedding and both her and the family have stayed there a couple of times. The house also contained beautiful wood work that bears the family crest. We were very lucky to see inside the house because it is only available during certain times of the year. Although we only saw the 2 stories there was a 3rd level where our tour guide has even stayed a couple of times. Also during the tour the guide was trying to remember who wrote Whithering Heights and I remembered. So proud of myself and got some brownie points whoop whoop. Oh I almost forgot the house is equiped with bells which the house still uses for the servants to bring them food.
After the house we went to the Rock Path which contained two waterfalls the witches steps a fairy fort and a witches stone. The witches steps which you had to go up and down them with your eyes closed to make your wish come true. Which mine did after we visited a pharmacy (thought I had a tick in my belly but it's just an irritated
hair) so the witches steps does wonders. The grounds in that area were cute and full of all little myths but apparently there is still a "witch" but she comes out at dusk aka when the park closes.
After Blarney we went to the pub to have lunch and of course they came with chips. They really love them here it even came with pizza which I'll get to later. I had the local drink Beamish which looks like a Guiness and I thought tasted like a Guiness in the states but still good.
After lunch we headed back into Cork after missing 1 bus we got into the City at around 5:25 so things started closing. However we went down St. Patricks street which is the main busy shopping area and looked around. Katie and I both got something from H&M and stopped into Topshop/Topman. Then we wandered the streets looking for dinner.
Went into a pub but they stopped serving dinner which is when we came upon Scoozi an Italian restaurant which we waited for an hour but it was ok we both weren't hungry. While waiting we saw the waiters putting up streamers, Balloons and signs saying good luck. We also started naming waiters our favorite was Foxy who had his towel on the back of his bum and his dark brown hair had two little parts sticking up. He also had perfect amount of facial hair. He made our wait enjoyable although it is obvious someone that good looking would have a girlfriend. :'(
After dinner Katie and I went back to our hostel which was also a bar.
When we got in the night before it was insanely crazy to hear the receptionist because it was in the bar. We had to pay an extra night which was why when we got back from dinner we had to move into a new room where 4 rooms of 6 had to share one bathroom. We met Kevin and Harry who are from Canada and will be here til who knows they were fague but good company. Sadly we kind of woke everyone in the room this morning at 4:30am because we had to catch our flight to Edinburgh.
We've learned a lot about traveling through different forms. For instance we took a train practically back to Dublin when we could have taken a 3 hr bus ride.
So we have gotten to Edinburgh and are on our way to the hostel. We took probably the coldest airplane ever and got off the plane and we could see our breath. So sad were back to layering since yesterday all we had to wear was a light jacket or no jacket at all when we were at Blarney.
Toodles and will tell you all about our adventure soon in Scotland.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Galway Doesn't like this girl
We got into Galway at 6 and unlike the states everything closes except pubs which only a select few serve food after that. We treated ourselves to both steak and lamb and I had an amazing clam chowder.
Then we had profiteroles for dessert.
After dinner we decided to draw money from the atm which decided to eat my card. So I tried calling the bank but didn't know the country code so I called them back at the hostel to fund out "No you can't get your card back and we won't retrieve it." Then the hostel which was very nice and very helpful but proceeds to tell us the Irish aren't helpful and open late like 10/12. That was not all that was bad about Galway; we found out that the Cliffs of Mohrer, something we mainly wanted to see in Galway was an overnight tour. We were only staying in Galway for a day so we were determined to find an alternative way which the hostel said there was a 1 day tour. So have to say Galway doesn't like this girl.
Random side note: on the train we sat across from a man who was from Glenview and then a girl at the hostel recognized Katie and we found out she went to Regina.
So to start off the day today we woke up at 830 so I could get my eurorail pass validated before we took a tour bus to the Cliffs.
On the way we took mini stops to a cliff made of rocks, some castles, and then the cliffs which were so beautiful. Both Katie and I were bundled up because we have been cold the last couple of days. But seriously the Cliffs are unbelievable and probably around 2/3 stories high. While we were up there I fell down...... A mini hill which wasn't bad but got a gasp from the crowd. Then we went to the other end to O'Briens castle who was a man who visited the cliffs and started the paths for tourists. After that we went to the exhibit and learned about the cliffs and the stories about them.
For instance on the Cliffs there is a corner called jags head. The story behind it is that this woman followed around an Irish warrior named Cu Callah (or something along those lines) so he jumped off 1 cliff and she followed then he jumped off the Cliffs and she followed and died. Her blood was spread everywhere and is now hags head.
Then there was a fisherman who came across a mermaid and took her jacket. The mermaid came to his house and couldn't find her jacket. He asked her to marry her and they had a son and a daughter. Then one day she found it and went back to the cliffs. We learned a lot of fable stories. All around the Irish country side there are fairy trees which are small trees with white flowers. We went around a fairy fort on our tour and had to sing a song in Gaelic to hey rid of the bad spirits :D The fairy trees are not to be cut down or bad luck will happen Some of the stories were a man cut the tree down to build a fire. All of a sudden his best cow went down and ill but when he returned the stocks his cow was better. Then another man told his whole family to dig around a fairy tree to loosen it and get wood for the house. The whole family died and their house went in flames.
On the way back to Galway we stopped at an archaeological spot called Poulnabrone Dolmen which was built by Neolithic farmers about 5,800 years ago making it older than the pyramids We also went to Kilferora Cathedral known as the City of Crosses where there Celtic crosses from the 6th Century.
It was definitely a nice trip but we didn't get to see that much of Galway. All we saw in Galway was the Spanish Arch which was the arch to the port from Spain and st Nicolas cathedral where Christopher Columbus stopped before he took his trip to the Americas. Inside the cathedral there was a window where the pastors son hung himself and for some reason is a thing to see in Galway.
Anyways on the train to Cork where we are going to Blarney Castle and possibly a chocolate shop from the 18th century. Then we leave the next day we have a flight at 7 am ewww. Another somewhat eww is on the way to the cliffs we totally just saw a baby horse being born. The placenta was still attached and the horse was still wet with blood :P haha One thing that was funny was when we left Galway the tide was low to the point where boats were on dirt but when we came back they were floating like you would see any boat.
Were definitely kicking this trip and can't believe we've only been here four days.
and sorry for any spelling errors- often entering on my ipod and need to post quickly.
Slag (bye in Gaelic)
Then we had profiteroles for dessert.
After dinner we decided to draw money from the atm which decided to eat my card. So I tried calling the bank but didn't know the country code so I called them back at the hostel to fund out "No you can't get your card back and we won't retrieve it." Then the hostel which was very nice and very helpful but proceeds to tell us the Irish aren't helpful and open late like 10/12. That was not all that was bad about Galway; we found out that the Cliffs of Mohrer, something we mainly wanted to see in Galway was an overnight tour. We were only staying in Galway for a day so we were determined to find an alternative way which the hostel said there was a 1 day tour. So have to say Galway doesn't like this girl.
Random side note: on the train we sat across from a man who was from Glenview and then a girl at the hostel recognized Katie and we found out she went to Regina.
So to start off the day today we woke up at 830 so I could get my eurorail pass validated before we took a tour bus to the Cliffs.
On the way we took mini stops to a cliff made of rocks, some castles, and then the cliffs which were so beautiful. Both Katie and I were bundled up because we have been cold the last couple of days. But seriously the Cliffs are unbelievable and probably around 2/3 stories high. While we were up there I fell down...... A mini hill which wasn't bad but got a gasp from the crowd. Then we went to the other end to O'Briens castle who was a man who visited the cliffs and started the paths for tourists. After that we went to the exhibit and learned about the cliffs and the stories about them.
For instance on the Cliffs there is a corner called jags head. The story behind it is that this woman followed around an Irish warrior named Cu Callah (or something along those lines) so he jumped off 1 cliff and she followed then he jumped off the Cliffs and she followed and died. Her blood was spread everywhere and is now hags head.
Then there was a fisherman who came across a mermaid and took her jacket. The mermaid came to his house and couldn't find her jacket. He asked her to marry her and they had a son and a daughter. Then one day she found it and went back to the cliffs. We learned a lot of fable stories. All around the Irish country side there are fairy trees which are small trees with white flowers. We went around a fairy fort on our tour and had to sing a song in Gaelic to hey rid of the bad spirits :D The fairy trees are not to be cut down or bad luck will happen Some of the stories were a man cut the tree down to build a fire. All of a sudden his best cow went down and ill but when he returned the stocks his cow was better. Then another man told his whole family to dig around a fairy tree to loosen it and get wood for the house. The whole family died and their house went in flames.
On the way back to Galway we stopped at an archaeological spot called Poulnabrone Dolmen which was built by Neolithic farmers about 5,800 years ago making it older than the pyramids We also went to Kilferora Cathedral known as the City of Crosses where there Celtic crosses from the 6th Century.
It was definitely a nice trip but we didn't get to see that much of Galway. All we saw in Galway was the Spanish Arch which was the arch to the port from Spain and st Nicolas cathedral where Christopher Columbus stopped before he took his trip to the Americas. Inside the cathedral there was a window where the pastors son hung himself and for some reason is a thing to see in Galway.
Anyways on the train to Cork where we are going to Blarney Castle and possibly a chocolate shop from the 18th century. Then we leave the next day we have a flight at 7 am ewww. Another somewhat eww is on the way to the cliffs we totally just saw a baby horse being born. The placenta was still attached and the horse was still wet with blood :P haha One thing that was funny was when we left Galway the tide was low to the point where boats were on dirt but when we came back they were floating like you would see any boat.
Were definitely kicking this trip and can't believe we've only been here four days.
and sorry for any spelling errors- often entering on my ipod and need to post quickly.
Slag (bye in Gaelic)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Goodbye Dublin Hello Galway
So it's our last day in Dublin and then we will be heading to Galway.
Yesterday we did a lot of walking. We went to St. Patricks cathedral where st. Patrick baptized Protestants into Catholics in a well. The Church also had flags of all the knights of st. Patrick along the alter which was pretty cool.
Then we made our way to the Guiness Factory which Katie walked us through some of the neighborhoods in Dublin and got us there. Seriously she is the best map reader ever and has gotten us from place to place even though sometimes I doubt her we alway get there.
In the Guiness factory which is shaped like a pint of guiness was really fun. We learned about what goes into Guiness which actually has a redish hint to it and truly does taste better and different in Dublin. In the factory we had the option of either pouring your own or having them do it. Katie and I had them do it and I was sadly disappointed that there was no shamrock on top. But the 360 view of Dublin made up for it.
One of the things that was interesting is when they used to make barrels out of wood it took a 7 year apprenticeship to be considered a master. Katie and I got an honarary apprenticeship while we were there and will post the picture on facebook when we get back.
After the Guiness factory we went on a literary pub crawl which was mostly attended my American tourists. The actors were very funny and gave very knowedgable information. After the pub we got dinner which I got lamb and had a bulmers which was amazing cider. So now I have officially had heiniken, carlsburg, and a guiness and hope to continue my many different beers.
Then we went back to the hostel and we had a full house of 12 people. We met two people Mariana and Silvia who both signed my TOMS. They liked my idea of what I was doing and told them what the company does and its cause. So before going to bed we chatted to them who we might meet up at Kings College when were in London but we'll see since it is their exam week. Anyways we went to bed and 2 Russians (well I call them that cuz they both had leather jackets and had heavy shoes as if they were in the army) came in and left then about an hour later the drunken Irishmen came in. The 1 closest to my bed started stripping and got into Silvias bed thinking it was his. He kept falling and shaking the bed I had no idea what was happening. Then his friend tried to get into his bed but fell out. Let's just say yes kindof funny jut not when your trying to fall asleep. Then in morning drunk man 1 kept clearing his throat and exposing his nude coloured boxers (yes I just pulled out how they spell over here) and he and his buddies had a full on conversation.
Sad to say goodbye to our hostel which was really nice and everyone kept saying it was really nice. So were assuming we can only get worse from there haha
Then we kicked off the day with our backpacks to the writers museum. Where we had audio tours and were in Mr. Jameson house who put stainglass windows into the house that has the Jameson logo. In the museum there were all the traditional Irish writters you think about. They had death masks of the writers which was wierd and have no idea what that was about. Then there was a writer who threw his typewritter out a pub window. A writer who would put cow poo on his shoes to remind people he was from the country and a writer who had a phone to only take calls he wanted with both red and green lights. Then there was the writer something along the lines of st. George who shot bullets above Oscar Wilders head and so he included him as a character in one if his books. Wow yeah look at what I got out of the Museum can't even remember the writers names.
Anyways that will be it. On the train right now to Galway where there many pretty field and sheep. Katies being the official photographer since she's closest to the window. And we have both had our workout with carrying our backpacks.
Laters
Yesterday we did a lot of walking. We went to St. Patricks cathedral where st. Patrick baptized Protestants into Catholics in a well. The Church also had flags of all the knights of st. Patrick along the alter which was pretty cool.
Then we made our way to the Guiness Factory which Katie walked us through some of the neighborhoods in Dublin and got us there. Seriously she is the best map reader ever and has gotten us from place to place even though sometimes I doubt her we alway get there.
In the Guiness factory which is shaped like a pint of guiness was really fun. We learned about what goes into Guiness which actually has a redish hint to it and truly does taste better and different in Dublin. In the factory we had the option of either pouring your own or having them do it. Katie and I had them do it and I was sadly disappointed that there was no shamrock on top. But the 360 view of Dublin made up for it.
One of the things that was interesting is when they used to make barrels out of wood it took a 7 year apprenticeship to be considered a master. Katie and I got an honarary apprenticeship while we were there and will post the picture on facebook when we get back.
After the Guiness factory we went on a literary pub crawl which was mostly attended my American tourists. The actors were very funny and gave very knowedgable information. After the pub we got dinner which I got lamb and had a bulmers which was amazing cider. So now I have officially had heiniken, carlsburg, and a guiness and hope to continue my many different beers.
Then we went back to the hostel and we had a full house of 12 people. We met two people Mariana and Silvia who both signed my TOMS. They liked my idea of what I was doing and told them what the company does and its cause. So before going to bed we chatted to them who we might meet up at Kings College when were in London but we'll see since it is their exam week. Anyways we went to bed and 2 Russians (well I call them that cuz they both had leather jackets and had heavy shoes as if they were in the army) came in and left then about an hour later the drunken Irishmen came in. The 1 closest to my bed started stripping and got into Silvias bed thinking it was his. He kept falling and shaking the bed I had no idea what was happening. Then his friend tried to get into his bed but fell out. Let's just say yes kindof funny jut not when your trying to fall asleep. Then in morning drunk man 1 kept clearing his throat and exposing his nude coloured boxers (yes I just pulled out how they spell over here) and he and his buddies had a full on conversation.
Sad to say goodbye to our hostel which was really nice and everyone kept saying it was really nice. So were assuming we can only get worse from there haha
Then we kicked off the day with our backpacks to the writers museum. Where we had audio tours and were in Mr. Jameson house who put stainglass windows into the house that has the Jameson logo. In the museum there were all the traditional Irish writters you think about. They had death masks of the writers which was wierd and have no idea what that was about. Then there was a writer who threw his typewritter out a pub window. A writer who would put cow poo on his shoes to remind people he was from the country and a writer who had a phone to only take calls he wanted with both red and green lights. Then there was the writer something along the lines of st. George who shot bullets above Oscar Wilders head and so he included him as a character in one if his books. Wow yeah look at what I got out of the Museum can't even remember the writers names.
Anyways that will be it. On the train right now to Galway where there many pretty field and sheep. Katies being the official photographer since she's closest to the window. And we have both had our workout with carrying our backpacks.
Laters
Monday, May 24, 2010
Over tired in Dublin
So I finally made it to Dublin to start my big Europe adventure.
To start off Katie n I got there at the same time however we found out that our in flight entertainment was not going to work so we both bought books for the plane. Then we thought the gate was M9 and we didn't understand how no one was there so I double checked and realized we were at the wrong gate and our hate was at it's last boarding call so made it just on time.
Finally leave airport and thanks to printing our how to get to the hostel we took a bus where we met a couple from Oklahoma. Then got off st trinity college and used both itouch and printed directions to get to the hostel which we now have down flat and in only a day.
Now you might think they were so tired they must of napped.... NOPE! We made a full packed day.
1st went on a historical walking tour throughout the city which was fantastic because we found out all the history of the historical places without paying a price. We started off at trinity college where found out the president of the university said he wouldn't admit a woman over his dead body. Well the first day they admitted a woman he died. Also the school was only admitted presbiterians however over time they admitted Catholics but had to prove it to their bishop on their town.
Then we went to parliament which is housed in the bank of Ireland aka a real bank. Then we went to Dublin castle which hardly looks like a castle. King John you know the one everyone hated in robin hood built the castle and they said it was the worst built castle. So all that stands is one stone round tower while the rest is red brick.
Then we went to City council which wasn't anything special. Then went to Christ church which looked very cool. After 2 hrs then Katie and I got a free beer voucher at bull or something.
After that went back to Trinity college to look at the book of Kels which is thxe bible all done with beautiful handwriting. Then we went up the stairs to the long hall which houses books back from the 18th century and due to a law they have to get every book ever published at Trinity college. Now this hall looked liked something out of Harry Potter. The smallest books on top and bigger books on the bottom and each shelf was labeled a through p just to give a picture. While we were there i finally got tired and fell asleep somewhat mid sentence which is why we got Starbucks. Which here they ask if for here or to go cuz they give you a legit cup if you stay. Also what was wierd had to ask employee to open bathroom door cuz it was locked with a special code.
After that went back to finally get onto our room which is an 8 bedroom ensuite mix meaning coed and we all share a bathroom. At the moment there are only 6 beds occupied so who knows if well have a full house.
Anyways after quick run back here went to a musical pub crawl where we met up with people we met on the walking tour. We went to 3 pubs however at the 2nd I was in and out die to the tiredness hitting me. So its 12:30am here and have another full day packed. Hopefully will fall asleep after drunks provide all this drunkiness entertainment and that won't walk in on 2 people in the same bed.
Side note: have to write blog on notes on itouch so things might be delayed
Also I became a fan of xfactor britian this year and one of the groups who made it to 5th place are these Irish twins named Jedward (google them/YouTube them an you will just want to run away) anyways saw them as an advertisement for a fast food place n it said ice ice baby - more of a reference for alex and Julie but thought I'd include a past obsession. Hopefully will be able to write tomorrow
Marin
To start off Katie n I got there at the same time however we found out that our in flight entertainment was not going to work so we both bought books for the plane. Then we thought the gate was M9 and we didn't understand how no one was there so I double checked and realized we were at the wrong gate and our hate was at it's last boarding call so made it just on time.
Finally leave airport and thanks to printing our how to get to the hostel we took a bus where we met a couple from Oklahoma. Then got off st trinity college and used both itouch and printed directions to get to the hostel which we now have down flat and in only a day.
Now you might think they were so tired they must of napped.... NOPE! We made a full packed day.
1st went on a historical walking tour throughout the city which was fantastic because we found out all the history of the historical places without paying a price. We started off at trinity college where found out the president of the university said he wouldn't admit a woman over his dead body. Well the first day they admitted a woman he died. Also the school was only admitted presbiterians however over time they admitted Catholics but had to prove it to their bishop on their town.
Then we went to parliament which is housed in the bank of Ireland aka a real bank. Then we went to Dublin castle which hardly looks like a castle. King John you know the one everyone hated in robin hood built the castle and they said it was the worst built castle. So all that stands is one stone round tower while the rest is red brick.
Then we went to City council which wasn't anything special. Then went to Christ church which looked very cool. After 2 hrs then Katie and I got a free beer voucher at bull or something.
After that went back to Trinity college to look at the book of Kels which is thxe bible all done with beautiful handwriting. Then we went up the stairs to the long hall which houses books back from the 18th century and due to a law they have to get every book ever published at Trinity college. Now this hall looked liked something out of Harry Potter. The smallest books on top and bigger books on the bottom and each shelf was labeled a through p just to give a picture. While we were there i finally got tired and fell asleep somewhat mid sentence which is why we got Starbucks. Which here they ask if for here or to go cuz they give you a legit cup if you stay. Also what was wierd had to ask employee to open bathroom door cuz it was locked with a special code.
After that went back to finally get onto our room which is an 8 bedroom ensuite mix meaning coed and we all share a bathroom. At the moment there are only 6 beds occupied so who knows if well have a full house.
Anyways after quick run back here went to a musical pub crawl where we met up with people we met on the walking tour. We went to 3 pubs however at the 2nd I was in and out die to the tiredness hitting me. So its 12:30am here and have another full day packed. Hopefully will fall asleep after drunks provide all this drunkiness entertainment and that won't walk in on 2 people in the same bed.
Side note: have to write blog on notes on itouch so things might be delayed
Also I became a fan of xfactor britian this year and one of the groups who made it to 5th place are these Irish twins named Jedward (google them/YouTube them an you will just want to run away) anyways saw them as an advertisement for a fast food place n it said ice ice baby - more of a reference for alex and Julie but thought I'd include a past obsession. Hopefully will be able to write tomorrow
Marin
Friday, May 21, 2010
And were Off
So its down to 2 days and then were off. Katie and I have done so much planning its crazy and we just can't wait to get there. I am going to try my best to keep everyone updated on my backpacking; ups, downs, and craziness.
Although the main purpose of the blog is for my Euro trip I plan to eventually use it for other purposes in the near future and become somewhat an avid blogger.
The Blog itself deals with things related to me. First, a nickname I got in college from a lovely roommate, Brits because I have an obsession with the UK and its culture, Kicks--> my love for soccer/football, and the other obsessions I have that come and go.
I hope you enjoy and please post or write emails to keep in touch. :D
Although the main purpose of the blog is for my Euro trip I plan to eventually use it for other purposes in the near future and become somewhat an avid blogger.
The Blog itself deals with things related to me. First, a nickname I got in college from a lovely roommate, Brits because I have an obsession with the UK and its culture, Kicks--> my love for soccer/football, and the other obsessions I have that come and go.
I hope you enjoy and please post or write emails to keep in touch. :D
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)