dinsdag, augustus 26, 2008

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

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