Paddy Wagon Tour day!!
We left the house at 8 am sharp so we would be on time this tour without having to run down the streets with the marathoners.... but we missed the first tram by 1 second, literally. So the second tram comes at 826 -- greaatttt. Oh well, we got to city centre by 840:) As we walked down the street, we realized the Dublin Marathon was occurring very shortly because there was sooo much activity - from music on the streets to balloons being handed out to the kids - it seemed like so much fun!!
9:00 am: Depart Dublin for this award winning and brilliant day trip with our 100% Irish Tour Guide
-we got lucky this time ... John F, our tour guide, he brought his adorable little son, 'Buster' or his real name - James. John is usually found singing on a Day Tour from Dublin! He loves Kilkenny with a passion like no other guide. - so we were extra lucky this time!! :) Also, he used to be in a band, so he entertained us with some singing along the way & never stopped talking as he shared so much history and information about Ireland & Kilkenny!! It was an incredible learning experience about their history today!!!
And the marathoners goo off!!!:)
It was an insanely beautiful day when we left and the drive had great views:) It was supposed to rain, but we definitely got very lucky!!
10.45: Glendalough is the scene for the Braveheart wedding scenes. It really is one of the most beautiful visitor sights in all of Ireland. It's renowned for its magnificent scenery and is full of a rich and varied heritage in terms of history and archaeology. You will have time to explore the deep valley with its ruined monastic city and even take the easy walk through the woods to the magnificent Upper Lake, be sure to bring your camera! A real 'Kodak moment'! Well, they did not have to tell us that twice...
We loved it here - it was slightly more windy then it normally was, but it definitely was not cold, and it was still a breath taking place!!
This waterfall thing was flowing into the street- leading to a flooded street!!!
Apparently, this upper lake is as still as can be and looks like a mirror! I mean, that would have been cool - but the waves made it even cooler I thought!
There was so many amazing colors of fall mixed with the green of Ireland - it was seriously beyond breath-taking here:)
We had an hour and a half at this lake, so Cayla and I went for a little hike:)
These pictures just do not do the lake and hike much justice - it was so unbelievably beautiful...and
The field in-between the upper & lower lake!
On the other side of the lake - equally amazing views!
I wish this one would have lightened, but the sun was shining so strong, haha, I cannot complain!
The lower lake!
The lower lake with sheep!!!
We sprinted back to the bus to make the depart time:) Of course, we made it perfectly on time!!! And we started the journey to our second destination!
Quick Photo stop: It was incredibly windy here, so he laughed as he said go out take some pictures, I won't give you a time limit because you'll be back soon! It was Wicklow mountains first:)
If you're a fan of the Hollywood Blockbusters 'PS, I Love You' and 'Braveheart' then you will now officially be on the set! You'll totally understand why Mel Gibson (an Irish passport holder!) chose the Wicklow mountains to be the Highlands of Scotland and Glendalough to be the spot for the wedding scene. And then of course there are all the romantic scenes from 'PS I Love You', this is where Hilary Swank met Gerard Butler for the first time. How romantic!
The bridge on PS I love you:)
After we crossed the bridge, we made it to HOLLYWOOD!!! whoooaaa:) We had to stay in the bus though to avoid running up to all the famous people for pictures ;)
So many cool fields with sheep!!!:)
I am very very proud to say that Cayla ate her first Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich!!!! This is the biggest thing ever!
The Brownshill Dolmen is a portal tomb dating from c.3300 – 2900 B.C. These are the ancient burial chambers of our royal ancestors. In our myths and legends these are known as Druids' Altars. It has a very large granite capstone measuring 4.7 metres x 6.1 metres x 2 metres. The capstone rests on two portal stones, a door stone and a prostrate slab. The dolmen or cromlech is a type of pagan sepulchral monument. The capstone is the largest to be found in Europe. It has been calculated to weigh over 100 tons.
An amazing thing about this was it started pouring after leaving Wicklow Mountains & the Bridge in PS I love you --- So he said we would have to stay in the bus to avoid being drenched -- BUT as soon as we pulled in to this place, the rain stopped & a rainbow came out:)
We wondered what the crop was in here--but forgot to ask:( We learned that they planted pine trees, not indigenous to the area, but they prevent soil erosion so it has been helpful for them and their fields!
This rock is apparently >100 tons!!! and It was moved 20 miles by human foot years ago as a tomb stone! Crazy!!!!
I wanted my picture with the rock, but Cayla did not really care too...she preferred the fence and the field behind her.....seriously -__-
These boots did such a good job lasting me throughout this trip...but on this trip and hiking the mountains caused them to bust:( the heal fell off and the metal base poked out!!! RIP boots:(
Lunchtime: Arrive in Kilkenny city. Roam the picturesque, windy, and cobblestoned streets. Check out the gardens of Kilkenny castle or consider going inside and taking a tour of its palatial interior for a small optional fee. You have time to wander and find the Black Abbey or possibly go down to see the cathedral of Saint Canice. You'll have free time in Kilkenny - plenty of time to have a gourmet lunch, check out the Kilkenny Design Centre, and a find a nice cosy pub and have a pint of Kilkenny in Kilkenny.
This was the lunch spot highly recommended by our bus driver and Buster:) I invited a girl who was traveling alone to sit with Cayla and I. Turns out she is 21 years old traveling from London - she is originally from Connecticut & studying in college in California (outside LA). Even more crazy, she did our Eurotrip kind of a thing, but ALONE! and She went to Costa Rica to work at a turtle conservation alone also!! She is quite brave, I am not sure I could do this all alone!! I am very happy with Cayla coming with me:)
I tried my first cup of Irish coffee....
It'll be my last:)
I finally climbed the cathedral like I'd wanted when we originally went to Kilkenny - it was actually rather dangerous climbing it - so much so that people younger than 12 are not advised to climb it!!!
The views definitely made it very worth it though:)
...as you can guess that at this elevation, it was very windy!!!
This is the tiny stairwell back to the ladders....
There are 9 ladders like this to climb to get to the top!!!!
Kilkenny is a very small but cute city - I do love walking around here, especially with this amazing weather!!
The river leading to the castle .. :)
And it was time to head back at 4:30:( What an amazing day - we have been so lucky with the weather and our tour guides and everything!!! Great final Paddy tour to take!!!
When we got back, I was sooo tired that I took the pictures from Cayla & 2 Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and went straight to bed!!! I just would loveeee my cough to go away....
Irish Word of the day: bold = naughty!!
No comments:
Post a Comment