Ireland pt 2

Hi! ;)

Just a quick note:
The last post was about my travel to Ireland.
This post is about everything good and not so good we endeavoured on our journey. I will explain everything what has a (*) star to it. Some additional comments will be noted as well :) For everyone who wants to have some more information about traveling in Ireland!

1. It's really bad saying this but you need a Visa or Mastercard.. It was really hard for us to book our flight of Ryanair and had to ask a relative to do it.. Unfortunatly we really had to pay much more than planned for our flight because we were later..

2. Check Ryanair once in a while, you get some fabulous prizes for flights, but you have to be quick for it!!

3. 'Avis': Car rentels in general don't accept Cash money, so you need a Visa Card again... We chose Avis cos they have a good reputation and they pick up cars from other airports as well.. (we left it at Carrickfinn Donegal airport) The car we got 'a Ford Focus' was very new and good.

4. 'Navigator': This means you really need good cards and preparations when you're on your way, it's better too put everything together in a binder too :).. I was the navigator and had to read the map.. (and it's not that hard ladies!!)

5. 'Sligo': Nice little city, with lots to see, unfortunatly we didn't do much.

6. 'The Railway Hostel Sligo': I recommend this very much, it was a good hostel, the manager was nice and informative, the rooms were good and clean.

--> I would like to point out that we looked for these hostels on the internet, mostly on bookingssites.. But when you don't have visa, you can email them directly and ask for beds and pay cash when you're there. The internet (some hostels have sites, some not) can be very informative in what beds there are (still) availeble..
--> Caution: Some bookingssite doesn't really book the hostel or are not accepted by the hostel.. (so it's really better to look out for emailadresses and email them directly!)

7. 'Information centers': These are the best thing to get round and about! I like visiting them, mostly they provid maps to the city and other information about that city, that county of about Ireland in general. It's very usefull to visit them. Some even have internet where you can surf for little money and mostly they also have interesting souvenirshops..

8. 'Slieve leages': The biggest Cliffs of Europe.. are a must see for every adventure fan! The sights are realy breath taking and the walk up the cliffs are a mustdo :)

9. 'Crolly': The area rond Gweedore is very green and lots of nature and so on.. This is a 'Irish speaking part' but they speak English as well..

--> There are small little roads where you have to be very carefull... The Irish are a bit known for their faaaaaast driving...
--> It sometimes is very bad to see other cars coming out your direction because of huge, long grass and trees and more green! So be very cautious..
--> Watch out for the sheeps running around!!
--> You need a car for driving in these parts of Ireland,.. the distances between towns can be big and there is almost non public transport exept voor small taxi companies and busses that travel to bigger parts of Ireland.

10. 'Screag an Iolair': The second hostel. The managers were really nice and the hostel was very good! The kitchens were very good equipped (really good!!) and the rooms were cosy and very good. The bathrooms had all neccisary things, the down side is that we were only allowed 5 minutes of shower, but that was not that bad.. The hostel was also a center of information!! (Mostlijk about mountainclimbing..) they had more information about other hostels/transport/busses/entertainment in the area and so on, they really wanted to help us as well!! :)

11. 'Leo's Tavern': Pub in Meenaleck, place where Enya, Clannad and Moya started to perform. And now they are known as the family who really put Ireland on the map! They are famous singers and so on... The pub itself was very nice,..

--> When you want to come for dinner it's wise to put a reservation :)
--> You can even buy T-shirts from Leo's Tavern.. (Commercial??!)
--> Sometimes Leo sings on stage,.. but people told us that he was feeling ill at that time.. pity. The band we got to see wasn't really that good....

12. 'Glenveagh Park': A huge nature park in Donegal, it's really big and nice to see. We could walk for hours and take pictures. On a sunny day it's very good to see everything.

13. 'Dunlewey center': A very interesting (information center) schop and museum. Interesting to get information about Dunlewey, about Poisoned Glen and to shop for souvenirs..

14. 'Tory Island': Special island, very interesting to see.. You have to catch an early boat to there.. Tory Island has a hostel, bed and breakfast, restaurant and so on... It has one big road that will bring you past ruines and cliffs!

15. 'Tory Ferry': Departs from Bunbeg before 9 am (be there at last at 8.30am) and takes you to Tory in an hour and a half.. (it's about 26 euro's per person and it's a retour) you see lots of things such as Bunbeg beach and bloody foreland and so on.. It's a nice boattrip.

--> Not for people with boatsickness!
--> Note: retour at 17 pm (or something like that) or at 12.30 pm..
--> Also ships from Magheroarty (in about an hour from Tory) and from there more people come too :)
--> These people from M. were greeted by the King of Tory :)
--> When we got back the boat went to M. because the water was to shallow for us to get back. The nice people from Tory ferry brought us back by car to where we parked our car! Get that in mind.
--> afterall, it was very nice to go here, it was very peaceful and calm..

16. 'Gallagher's coaches': they drive daily from Donegal - Derry - Belfast!! We only had to be very early at the busstop in Crolly,.. that was I believe 7.45am... This is a very good buscompany! (if you check internet there are 2 more buscompanies I believe)

17. 'Derry Independent Hostel': This was the more expensive one from all our hostels.. The beds were okay. Unfortunatly the kitchen wasn't that good equipped! Showers were okay.

--> If you don't have a car search for hostels that are close to busstations or trainstations! Then it's easy to go places.. It's important too look on the internet too look out for maps and adresses too.

18. ' Derry': Very nice, and interesting city!! You can walk around, visit the tourist information center, go on trips and so on... there is a lot to see and to do! It's a real vibrant city :). Also visit the walls around and the streets where the murals are,.. they are very nice!

19. 'Giant's Causeway': Very good for everyone... this is the most famous place of Northern Ireland and it's on the list of Unesco too. It's really worth while to see. It's better to go when it's sunny.. (like never..) Also look out for the fairy tale about the Giant's Causeway, there is a cool legend about it :)

20. 'Rope Bridge': This bridge is a bit overexaggurate.. on the tv and on ads it's looks like it's long, but in fact it isn't. You have to pay to get on it. You can go walk in the hills for a bit and that's it really..

21. 'Belfast': My city,.. Belfast is a huge shopping center, filled with shops and with pubs. There is a lot too see and to do! --> Belfast youth hostel wasn't that brilliant,.. we slept good. That's it.

22. 'Hot chocolate fugde cake': The queen of chocolate!! It's a chocolate cake with chocolate saus with chocolate icecream and a yummy chocolate inside! YUM!

23. 'Bangor': a city by the sea, about 30 minutes (by train) from Belfast. It's a very nice little city. It's really clean, beautifull and has a lot of shops...

24. 'The wicker man': a shop in Belfast (not far from the big belfast Postoffice and Donegal Arcade is this little souvenir and little things shop... Mic bought me a ring from there as well! :D

25. 'Black cabs': A must do for every Belfast tourist! You can go to the Belfast Cabcenter (don't know the precise name anymore) you stand in the row and you say where you want to go (mostly roads) .. They point you to a cab and youre on the way when the cab is full... When you want to get out, you just tab on the window of the driver and they let you out.. It's about 1,20 pound for a ride and it's even cheaper then the bus.. The black cabs don't get you everywhere, but mostly drive up and down a couple of big roads. When you want to take a cab, just wave your hand, if there's still room you are gonna be picked up.

--> Note: Black cabs also have tourist information and give tours around Belfast. There is a Mural tour and so on.. Just ask for that. I haven't done that but I want to when I go back to Belfast!.

26. 'Falls Road': Famous road in Belfast, St Mary's lay at that road and so on..

27. 'Aircoach': Buscompanty that travels to Dublin Airport or Dublin City.. very good and luxurious coaches..

28. 'Paddy's Palace Hostel Dublin': Our last hostel. Paddy's Palace actually has a whole chain of hostels in Ireland (even in Belfast). It's a very 'young' hostel, I mean that there are mostly students coming over.. There hung information on the wall. The Hostel did had some rules...

• You have to loan for kitchen equipment and deposit 2 euro's for that..
• You can only check after 1 pm or a bit earlier, but you can deposit your suitcases at their luggageroom on 1 euro per item.
• This luggageroom only opens once an hour, (f.e 2 o'clock, 11 o'clock and so on..)
• The breakfast is free, but is from 7 till 9.30 I think it was.. And you have to be quickly to have something. And at last, there are no much tables to sit on.. :S
• The rooms are (like in Belfast) opened with a special cardkey, even the bathrooms work like that.
• .....

29. 'Dublin': A very nice, good big city!! There is a lot to do in here and a lot too see. The information center is huge again and very informative.. In every big town there are Hop-on/hop off busses.. for not that much money (I think it was 15 euro's for a 24 hours valid ticket and the tour took 50 minutes!) there was a lot too see in Dublin (like the Guiness brewery, trinity College and so on...

30. 'Book of Kells': An ancient book from medievel times that was made on the Isle of Iona by monks. It's decorated very beautiful and with much precision! It's really interested to see this ooold oold book! It is actually a copy of the Bible.

Okay.. this explained some places and spots from my former post.. have fun when travelling your plannings.. I hope this helped a bit. :)

Photo's will follow off course :)!!

xxSara

ps: If you want more information please not hesitate to contact me via this blog and leave your emailadress behind! :)

Ireland!!!

A review from my vacation in Wee Ireland...

I would like to point out that I'm going to put wee stars with some words, this means a place or sight that was brilliant to see and a hint for you if you want to visit Ireland sometimes!
The star (*) Means a hint to see..

~Ireland,...
from 2th of August till the 11th of August..

The first day,... saturday.
We left very early for the airport, Mic's Dad came along and we left the house at 3 am.. Soo early it was, but very excited I was too.. Because we we're leaving for Ireland!! Yaaaay.. Exitement!! We arrived at Chaleroi airport at 5 ish and checkt our bags immediatly.. an hour later we went through the check in and were off to our plane.. The plane left with no major problems at 6.30u. I was excited during the whole journey! It was also's Mic first time on a plane, since a long, long time.. After an hour and a half we landed in Dublin. This was our first stop, we had to find a car that we could rent for 4 days!! After researching every rent-a-car company, we found only one who would except cash.. (and Ironically it was the most expensive one). 'Avis' (*) took care of our precious cash money and gave us a shiny new Ford Focus that we could use for 4 days, and then leave it at the Donegal Airport.. (Terrible if you don't have Visa! Mark my words.. but still,.. we managed!)

With bags and packs we went our way, just too find a cool silver car, and offcourse.. Also in this car, the drivers side is on the right side.. We had to drive left!! Oh dearie.. After a little practice and a little tremor (and stress) from the driver, we were on our way.. In the passangerseat there was the navigator (*) (or you could call her the 'GPS') and we were gone! We drove for hours and hours, because we had to drive over Ireland to the other side: (from Dublin to Galway) The west of Ireland.. But no big deal, we had a wonderfull car, with cd player and a very good radio too... On the tunes of 'Irish pub songs' we drove the whole way,.. (about 3 hours).

We finally found Galway,.. the idea was for going for dinner over there and we stopped at a supermarket nearby.. I wanted to go for a little walk in Galway but when we went away the traffic was just horrible! The traffic lights were so fast and people just didn't get through.. we had a huge delay and didn't had the chance to go strolling around in Galway because of the traffic.. too bad.. We just wanted to get out of there! Probably the big reason of the huge traffic was that there was the Galway Races I think..

Then we went further on to Sligo (*), another big city more upward in Ireland.. It was again a couple of hours and we went straight north.. there was our hostel too.. After a really quick drive we finally drove into Sligo and found our Hostel.. (well it was BIG and YELLOW) so we found it quit quick :) The Railway hostel (*).. I reserved a room for 5,.. but when we got there the manager give us a 2persons bedroom (with TV!).. We strolled around a bit and went sightseeing in the market and went to the tourist information stop..(*) (that's my first thing to do!)

After a very good night :D we woke up at 9ish and went further on our way! This time we went straight too Donegal and then to Crolly (where our hostel was located) On the way we went through lots of counties!! We stopped by a Waterfall, that was named Glencar Waterfalls.. Then we drove further on and saw lots of landscapes, mountains, rain and sheeps! We enjoyed the view, it was great and Mic liked it too. We stopped sometimes just to watch the views and in my case, take 20 photographs of the same thing.. (That's what I do and that's what I live for! :P)

By the time we got to Donegal my little plan was already a bit changed.. We didn't stop at Donegal and traveled further to Teelin,.. The last manager of the Railway hostel said to us we really had to visit Glencolumcille, so we went there for a short drive,.. then we went further on to go to the Slieve Leages (the highest cliffs of Europe) I tought if we would go further we would end up at the cliffs,... unfortunatly we ended at a little bay and thought that was it.. Off course it wasn't! We explored that little, but peacefull area and then got back in the car and went for Teelin,.. there we could go to the Slieve Leages more easily.. Soon we found a trafficboard that pointed out the right direction! Then after a wild, bumpy ride we went on a steep hill upwards! It was kinda scary, a small wee street with cars from many directions!!! And off course, after a little drive Michael suddenly stood still on the steepiest of the steepest hills! The motor went blank and we stood there.. A wee bit scared because of the line of cars behind us! After a little warning, the cars went back and we could start a little bit and went our way! still, it was scary.. And then we were there!! We were at the cliffs!!! (*). We climbed and were treated with a beautiful view! There were lots of people too.. It was a bit rainy, but still it was soooo worth it!! Mic and me enjoyed the beautifull scenery when we climbed the mountains.. It was just gorgeous!

When we got back, we were again a bit off shedule... and had to go for another hour to go to Crolly (and find our hostel...) We drove and drove and then finally saw a traffic board with 'Chroisli' (Irish for Crolly).. we went on to find our hostel that was located somewhere on a hill.. we didn't find it immediatly that led to driving lost.. but after a little hour we finally arrived at Screag an Iolair (*) It looked like a very nice hostel and the managers were really nice people who offered us some tea immediatly! They asked if we allready had eaten and recommended Leo's Tavern (:D heheheh..).. We went back with the car to the town and went to a local supermarket and then did a quit visit to Leo's Tavern (*),.. the pub that made groups as Clannad and Enya and Moya Brennan.. I was very happy be there!! It was crammed with people, also eating.. So quickly I made a reservation for the next day... We drank something and went away.. I had a glimpse of Leo's and was already on cloud 9 :D.. Then we went further on and went too Bunbeg we're we went to a local fastfoodshop and buyed some chips and hamburgers.. On the road back we parked at a small river (actually the water supplies for Crolly) and had our snack over there.. Then back in our hostel we went for bed in our 2personsbedroom.. :)

The second day at Crolly and we went for a ride.. we drove to Dunlewy, a small town and further on to the Poisoned Glen. We took photo's and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.. with Mount Errigal at the background all seemed so peacefull and calm.. After that we visited the Dunlewy Center (*) and they pointed us to the direction of Glenveagh Park (*). We immediatly left for that and after half an hour drive we found it!! We walked and walked, again we had a very nice and interesting place.. the meeting center at Glenveagh was really good and gave information how the park was formed long time ago... After a big walk in the park, we arrived at the Glenveagh Castle.. The sun was shining very brigthly! We walked around in the gardens of the castle, there was a lot to see and a lot to do! After a big hour of shooting pictures of flowers,.. we decided to go back,.. afterall it was a couple of km before we were back at the car... When we got back at the hostel we prepared ourselves for the dinner 'Chez Leo' :P and was almost panicking we were too late! 3 past 7 pm and we were at Leo's.. After the very good first snack (how d ya call it?) we got our main course, I took the spicy chicken, whilst Mic had to conquor a big fish with chips! The evening was splendid,.. we took a dessert.. There was not that many people around.. Mic took his first Guinness today, and I sipped a wee bit :).. We meet up with some nice people from Cork and had a nice conversation. Our intention was not to stay very long, but they persweded us to stay for the music, who was running very late!! Unfortunatly the music wasn't that good and we left,.. Mic bought me 2 t-shirts from Leo's Tavern.. Is he mad or what?? This was our 1 year and 1 month anniversary.. Love you Mic :) After that we went home and to bed..

The next day we were up very early and went to Tory Island (*).. Almost too late we were, but just in time to catch the Ferry boat.. (*) We almost missed it! It was soo early.. about 8.45am.. yikes.. There were 2 more people aboard with too big suitcases and some more Islanders (I think they were) after a wild ride of 1 hour and a half.. (that was way too long..) we arrived at Tory Island.. It was quite big inhabited Island.. We walked around and had our breakfast outside,.. it was sunny but a bit windy. Still it was very nice.. There was a main road and people had cars.. It was quite interesting too see really.. after a couple of hours we had to take the ferry back.. we arrived at the other port where Toryferry also parts.. We heard that we couldn't get to Bunbeg by boat and they took us with the car back to the other Bunbeg port.. The driver was very friendly and told much things about Tory and about Ireland in general too :) (a bit too much unfortunatly) When we got back we had to hand in our car and drove whole the way to Carrickfinn, the Donegal Airport. When we got there, there was really nobody! Only the staff that was working,.. it was a really small airport. We got back by cab to Crolly, and went to the nearest pub. We asked for some taxi's in the neighbourhood. The bartender was soo nice that he arranged a taxi to get us down to the pub the next day at 7 am.. then we went back to the hostel and tried the whole way by feet, (it was about 5 km up and down hill) but in an hour and a bit we managed to get there :P.. Then Mic prepared a very nice dinner for us!!!

The next morning our taxi was ready to take us down the hill to our meetingplace at the pub we were at yesterday.. I have to point out that 'Gallagher's coaches' (*) on the internet doesn't have a complete timetable!! I discovered at the hostel that they also pick up people in Crolly instead of Bunbeg (at busstop Bunbeg Crossroads..) Wow... Lucky we had the hostel who knows everything! The bus took us too Derry, our next stop. It took us about 2 hours to get there and we we arrived in Derry we immediatly we went searching for our Hostel.. The Derry Independent Hostel (*) It wasn't that far and I knew the way! We had to wait for another small hour before we got into our room.. We were a bit too early it seemed and we just had to wait.. After the wait we finally went up to our room, this was a 4 bed dorm room. After we threw our suitcases we went on our way.. We visited the city of Derry (*) and his big wall. There was a lot to see and a lot to do, we visited some churches and some musea as well.. The view from the wall to the city of Derry was also very nice! We went to the Information center where I asked if the Giant's Causeway tour would go the next day.. (this was my surprise for Mic actually..) They said they were going to call me. We were getting a bit tired allready and it was defenitly showing, so we went back home. Fell asleep, woke up from our companion sleepers.. (they were Japanese) and then I decided to do some cooking.. Mic liked what I made (Yummie Spaghetti with ham and cheesesaus!) and then we were off to bed.. Tired like hell..

The next day we woke up quite early to find the Japanese people gone and us too. We went for a stroll in a street where we saw a lot of murals and monuments dedicated to the troubles from the past. They were big, huge but very beautifull, it showed what people have been through and it was very well portrayed by the designer. Offcourse there was the Bloody Sunday monument and there was a small museum, but we didn't make it, we went to the information center because they did call to say the tour was going.. So when we got there we saw a small wee bus for a couple of passengers, including me and Mic! We went for a couple of hours drive (not too long as I thought.. about an hour I think it was..) and arrived at the Giant's Causeway (*). When we got there the driver said he was driving to Carrick a rede (*) (the rope bridge) and if everyone wanted to go,.. that meant unfortunatly that we only had 1 hour to explore the causeway! We agreed to be back in an hour and we rushed down the hill (we didn't do the Hill walk,.. that would have lasted longer) Mic was really excited,.. I think he liked it :) Afterall that was my surprise.. (that somebody but me blurted out...) after a quick meeting with the Giants Causeway and after the story of Finn McKool, we went back up to our bus.. Then we drove again to the rope bridge.. When we arrived the weather was really bad,.. wet and more wet! We payed to get on the rope bridge and we walked to the bridge.. Last time I was here, the rope bridge was closed, but now I had a the chance to get on it! It wasn't that spectacular.. but it was okay and it showed some magnificent sights from op that top. We shoot some nice pictures and were gone again, because we only got one hour to see it all... Back at the bus we were gone again.. In Derry the weather wasn't really better, we went to the Burger King and had our lunch there :).. We strolled again and shot some pictures... Back in the hostel we saw our new companions, a polish couple who were very nice! After that we went in the 'entertainment room' and played Twister and '4 on a row'.. We went to bed for our last night at Derry..

The next day the same bus (Gallagher's) took us too Belfast (*) in about an hour and a half.. We found our hostel pretty easy.. but quite a shock to be there! It was the International Youth hostel Belfast.. The bathrooms looked awfull.. :S but the beds were okay. Oef... We went for a walk, it was again pretty sunny! I even didn't wore any sweaters (and I am that cold..) We ate at Wetherspoons (as usual) were Mic even tried his first 'Hot Chocolate Fudge Cake.. (*) We walked and walked and got pretty tired.. We strolled around the City Center where I showed everything to Mic!! This was my home.. I buyed some shoes again.. (baaaad me) and buyed some accesoiries in Primark (a huge store where you can find LOADS of things for not that much money!) I wanted to do so much more!!! But the mood went a bit colder and we got back to the hostel and went to the KFC next to the hostel.. We stayed in the hostel were we got 2 girls from Poland again! We played Uno for the rest for the night and went to sleep...

The next day we had to go to Bangor (*) to buy some stuff for my mom, she really wanted some things that I only saw in Bangor, so we went there and spend the morning. I wanted to be back at noon to go to Armagh to visit Navan Fort, unfortunatly we stayed too long in Bangor and we missed our chance to go there.. That was partly my fault, cause I wanted to have shoes.. :S Instead we went back for a walk and Mic buyed me a gorgeous ring from the Wicker Man (*).. (thx Mic) Back in the hostel we put our things and were off again! We ate at Pizza Hut.. (but what a mistake to make!) We tried the Black Cabs (*) and went to the Falls Road (*).. we visited some of the things I knew and even went to St Mary's College and to my old house... It was sooo nice to see everything again :D.. It was soo cool :) We went back to our Hostel by feet, wat was quite far away :).. off course we were still so ful from the Pizza, we didn't go to Robinsons, what I actually really wanted to do... It's a pity I didn't do that... Guess I was too lazy :P .. We didn't do much of sightseeing in Belfast,.. that's a real pity really.. It was a pity I didn't saw Joanna (my former roommate) but she was too busy to see me. The last night in Belfast.. The next day would be our second last day in Ireland! :S

We took the Aircoach (*) to Dublin city,... where we got lost unfortunatly! I didn't know were we had to get off exactly so we had to pay an extra 10 euro to get to our destination.. I was soo pissed! But after that, we found our hostel 'Paddy's Palace' (*) very quickly. It was very good located at a big busstation! (Afterwards I realised it was the one we arrived in when we went to Dublin on Saint Patrick's day!!) The hostel seemed very nice, although we had to check in somewhere in the midday we just left our bags and were off to see Dublin! We visited the information center and strolled around in the streets of Dublin, we went to see some more shops and I wanted to buy something for Michael,.. it soon turned up to be a small flying bug I buyed for him.. Toys for boys he :P.. we ate dinner in the Mc Donalds and went along.. In the late afternoon we took the 'hop on - hop off bus' and visited many places.. such as: Guiness Store House, a couple of churches, Victoria street, Garden of remembrance, Trinity College and so on... it took a whole afternoon to see it all! :) At the Garden of Remembrance I saw the statue of the Children of Lir.. And I told the story of Lir to Michael.. He liked it :D.. After that, we went to Trinity College where I wanted to see the 'Book of Kells' (*) we went back to our hostel.. We were very lucky and got a 2personsbedroom instead of the 8 bed dorm room I ordered.. So really lucky we are :)..

The next day, our last day we went again on the Hop on - hop off bus (our ticket was 24 hours available!) and went to Dyblinia, a museum about old Dublin and a gallery about Vikings.. We stayed there for an hour and then went back to our hostel to get our bags.. We then finally departed for the airport with the bus and arrived 40 minutes later.. I was really very sad.. It was such a nice journey,.. I really liked it, but not the leaving part though.. !! When we checked our bags we got to go to the free duty zone, where Mic even buyed some glasses, who matches his cool Irish Hat! :D.. We left from Ireland at 4 pm and arrived in Belgium at 6.30u (Belgian time) Mic's father was there to pic us up too :) very nice of him!! :)... then we we went on our journey back to Deinze....... Sad, but a bit happy to be back! :D Hope I'll be back next year, maybe not for 10 days, but for fewer days.. I really got bitten by the Ireland bug..

*Go Ireland!!!* xxSara

Useful Links:

• http://www.galway.ie/en/ (about county Galway)
• http://www.galwaycity.ie/ (about City Galway)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galway (Wiki about City Galway)
• http://www.sligo.ie/ (about county Sligo)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sligo (Wiki about Sligo)
• http://www.therailway.utvinternet.com/ (about our Hostel - The Railway Hostel)
• http://www.myguideireland.com/slieve-league (about the Slieve Leages, Europe highest Cliffs)
• http://www.hostels.com/nl/hosteldetailsnobooking.php/RecordID.8999 (about our Hostel - Screag an Iolair)
• http://www.donegal.ie/ (about county Donegal)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crolly (about Gweedore and Crolly)
• http://www.dunleweycentre.com/AroundDunlewey.htm (about Dunlewey Center)
• http://www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie/ (about Glenveagh park)
• http://www.myspace.com/leostavern (About Leo's Tavern)
• http://www.oileanthorai.com/ (about Tory Island)
• http://www.toryislandferry.com/ (about the boat getting to Tory Island - The Tory Ferry)
• http://www.gallagherscoaches.com/index.htm (about our bus to Derry and Belfast)
• http://www.derryvisitor.com/ (about Derry)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derry (Wiki about Derry)
• http://www.derry-hostel.co.uk/ (about our Hostel - Derry Hostel)
• http://www.northantrim.com/giantscauseway.htmim.com/giantscauseway.htm (about the Giant's Causeway)
• http://www.gotobelfast.com/ (about Belfast city)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belfast (Wiki about Belfast)
• http://www.hini.org.uk/ (about our Hostel - International Youth Hostel Belfast)
• http://www.visitdublin.com/ (about Dublin)
• http://www.aircoach.ie/ (about our bus coach AirCoach)
• http://www.paddyspalace.com/ (about our Hostel - Paddy's Palace Dublin)
• http://www.tcd.ie/ (about Trinity College)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells (Wiki about the Book of Kells)
• http://www.ryanair.com/site/NL/ (about Ryanair)
• http://www.google.be/search?hl=nl&q=car+rental+Ireland&meta= (page full with Car rentals from Ireland)

My Vacation!

Hi everyone..

A little review (and pictures) of my holidays in Westerlo and Ireland..
Here's Westerlo for ya! :)

~Westerlo... (16th July - 20th July)
Okay, here we go!!

The first day of our trip and I decided to cycle to Gent, just for warming up myself for the travel to Westerlo. The plan was to take the train with Valentijn and Stefanie and Michael too off course from Gent to Antwerp Central.. From then we had to cycle about 60 km to Westerlo. The journey from Deinze to Gent was very good! Nice and I could cycle with Mic the whole distance.. In the station of Gent we met up with V and S and prepared for our journey...
When we arrived in Antwerp we drove through the centre for quite a bit.. we were lost in the centre! But not for long our courageous boys asked someone how to get the hell out of there.. Then the journey began!! We drove four hours and hours!! And more hours and hours.. we picknicked next to to the Albert Canal and it was pretty sunny.. After our wee break we went off again, even had to use suncreme for our burned arms.. Was this the prelude to 4 days of sun and fun??

After more hours and getting exhausted (and very annoying, that is.. me getting annoyed) we finnally drove to Westerlo, then the next thing to do, was to find our hostel! We drove again and had to drive in the woods,.. that turned out to be quite bumpy :P And then we finally arrived at our Hostel.. It looked very nice at first sight.. We parked our Bikes and went inside.. I was already pretty tired (and had a bit of a temper coming on..), we found the owner of the hostel.. And what do ya now.. it turned out we didn't had any rooms!! Our names where not on the list.. I was getting a really bad temper now.. but Michael was still very calm and said it couldn't be.. When he asked to look under the month of June,.. our names came up very quickly.. The owner apologised and offered us a room (more of a broomcloset) for the 4 of us to sleep in (for free) and for just 2 nights, after that, we got to have a real room..

Well, after we settled in our rooms,.. I was in quite a shock really, that this had to happen to us :P.. but then I came to terms with it and helped tiding up the beds. After that we went for dinner and did some games downstairs and outside cos it was still a sunny day.. We played around and about and did lots of preporations for the next days.. Our first night went and came,.. it was pretty good.. After a shower.. (we didn't had a shower in our room so we had to go downstairs in the common used showers and even had to go outside to go to the toilet!) Breakfast was good,.. we decided to go for a walk in the city of Westerlo.. We shopped round and about (we went to Casa and Blokker and the more common stores.. we also have in Deinze) and did some sightseeing.. The second night in Westerlo and the entertainment was a quiz made by me, where we had much fun and a cool prize!! (Also a congrats to Valentijn for winning the prize)

Then the next day we went for a ride to Herentals and drove for an hour or something like that. We went to a place were we did a couple of sporting activities! It was called Netepark and we could do many things. Oh, we were fit :D.. Mic, me and Valentijn did some swimming, then we went minigolfing and we did some jumping on the trampoline.. then we went back and got to our new rooms! This was a very nice day, a bit rain but most of al some sun!

The next day we woke up very late and decided we'd go to Tongerlo, not that far from Westerlo. We visited the Abbey of Tongerlo and saw a lot of things.. the bad things was, it was noon so we went away to get some food. We dined at a wonderfull place, it was very good. The minute we were inside it started pouring so hard we heard the rain on the roof.. After a wonderfull desert we went back to the Abbey. There was a little bookshop where I even heard Moya AND Enya playing.. So this place is in my top 10 now :).. we strolled around again now everything was open and even went to the Da Vinci museum!! Unfortunatly we were just too late because it was closing. Damn.. but we saw a glimpse of the Da Vinci's 'The last Supper'.. (And err.. don't think it's the real one.. but it's the Eldest Replica of it.. Imagine that (!) Unfortunatly this was our very last day here.. the 3rd night was kinda stupid.. I didn't sleep too wel!

The day of departure.. after a good breakfast we drove back to Antwerp. The boys wanted to drive the whole way home.. but the girls weren't up for that! :S.. the day started really bad.. and it stayed bad.. so we had to disrupt our drive and went to the station of Mechelen and got back home.. And ironically it cleared up when we were sitting in the train!.. off course! This was the end of a nice trip!! Unfortunatly we didn't had much luck with the weather,.. but we've seen lots of things, we have done a lot of things and we've ben through much things as well :D

Thank you Valentijn and Stefanie and Michael for the great trip :)
Enjoy the little movie, a compilation of my and Mic's pictures...

Laterz..
xxSara

Useful links

• http://www.tongerlo.org/ (Abbey of Tongerlo)
• http://www.westerlo.be/actueel.aspx?cat=1&page=1 (Site of Westerlo)
• http://www.toerismewesterlo.be/new/bezienswaardigheden.html (Tourism Westerlo)
• http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-Westerlo---Boswachtershuis-008028.en.htm (about our hostel)
• http://www.herentals.be/fb111ujeb444sdm1sdm156.aspx (site of Herentals)
• http://www.toerismeherentals.be/ (Tourism Herentals)

TIP: Wait with the little movie till the song of the Month is over.. There is also a song playing with the pictures!!

Song of the month 'July and August'

Hi everyone!

Today a combination of 2 months for the song of the Month.. And this time I chose Coldplay to represent this holiday and also, this song has a nice sort of 'Victory' tune in it, that is.. You could see in the last post about Belgian's Gold medal.. so this song really matches the winning of that Gold Medal!! Wiiiieeehiee.... I really like this song, it's special and it's Coldplay.. Me like! This is also a tribute to the girls of the silver Medal and the girl of the Golden Medal.. (Goooo Tia!) Have fun while singing :D

More information:

• Coldplay Viva la Vida on Youtune: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE
• De Golden Jump: http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza.be/mediatheek_olympia/1.367893
• The Brabanconne in The Birds nest: http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza.be/mediatheek_olympia/1.367874

Coldplay: 'Viva la Vida'

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can not explain
Once you know there was never,
never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world(Ohhh)

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People could not believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shiel
dMy missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can not explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world

(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

Hear Jerusalem bells are ringings
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can not explain
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh

The Olympic Games 2008

Hi everyone!! :)

I know it's been a while again, I have to apologise.. It just seems I don't have any time anymore.. Well for now I'm back with some important Belgium news!!

You know.. A few weeks ago there was something called the Olympic Games.. It's a 4year annual event that lasts for a couple of weeks (I think 2).. and it's held in Beijing this time.. But hey, I guess you know about these Games.. Well, my land (Belgium :P) participated as well.. Unfortunatly the first week we didn't have any good results whatsoever.. (swimming, sailing, horsebackriding and so on..) but suddenly there was a flash of good news!! Belgium won Silver with the 4 x 400 track running with stick (or how do you call it) for women.. So.. the first medal was in!!!! But then.. one day later,... The whole of Belgium was sitting in front of the tv, watching Tia Hellbaut do the High Jump.. It was very dramatic, exitment, anger, anxiety... wow, a lot of emotions in our wee living room.. But then after a couple of hours we finally saw the jump that Mrs Hellebaut took her to be the best of all at the Olympic Games.. !! She won a GOLD medal.. the first one in AGES!!! :D

Victory!!!!!!!!!!

I never been any prouder at my country.. Gold and Silver.. Wheeee!!

Wow, these Olympic games turned out to be very good ones!! Especially Beijing (China) did really everything to make a splendid show... the opening, the ending.. it was very nice..

The next Olympic games are to be in London in 2012.. I'm really in the mood of going :) it's not that far.. so I'm really tempted!! I hope in 2012 some Sportswonders are surfacing in Belgium.. (we want a Michael Phelps! Can we buy him or something?? :P)

More information:

• Tia Hellebaut site: http://www.sport.be/tiahellebaut/nl/
• Olympic Games 2008 in Bejing: http://en.beijing2008.cn/

See you laters.. and get ready.. I'll be uploading a new song of the month!! :)