September 19, 2012

Arrived at NO airport at 12:30 am and settle in for long night. Was able to check in and get boarding pass at 3:30 am and got a notice that the Newark to Shannon, Ireland leg had been overbooked. It asked if I would like to volunteer my seat, if needed, for a $400 travel voucher. If so, to give the info to the gate official in Newark. As soon as I arrived in Newark I gave the gate official my info and said I would volunteer for the $400 travel voucher, new ticket to Shannon, hotel room ($100) and food vouchers ($30). They needed 2 volunteers and I was fortunate enough to be one of those. Got my vouchers and headed to Crowne Plaza. Was also able to extend my checkout until 3:15 pm to reduce my wait at the airport. Would definitely volunteer again and swap 1 night of travel for $400 in travel vouchers and free food and place to stay. Leave at 7 pm on Septemer 20 and arrive at 7 am in the morning. Also got exit row seat with extra leg room for no extra charge. Life is good. 

Sept. 20, 2012

Arrived around 11:30 am at Cliffs of Moher after 5.5 hrs on plane, 2 buses and 2 hr wait in bus station. While the Cliffs of Moher are always breathtaking, the sun did not provide the light I was hoping for. Will go back late this afternoon and try again. Also, some of the "closed" paths I took when I was here in 2007 are seriously closed now and no longer accessible. The best views are from the closed path but they are building a new path but it looks like at least 3-6 months before it will be completed. Hope to post pictures later this evening unless the "pub" begins calling. lol

IRELAND, Cliffs of Moher

September 21, 2012

I returned to the Cliffs of Moher in the late afternoon when the lighting was better. The path which is fenced and says "Do Not Climb the Fence" is the only path which gives you incredible views of the cliffs. As you can see by one of the pictures the path is very narrow and very close to the cliffs. Unfortunately there have been many deaths at the cliffs by those who have stood near the edge and pushed over by an unforseen gust of wind.

IRELAND, Inis Meain (middle Aran Island)

September 22, 2012

Great day visiting Inis Meain, one of the Aran Islands. There are only about 150 residents there but luckily one is a friend of mine, Anamaria Connelly, who also served as my guide for my visit today. We walked for about 2 hrs around the entire island and the scenery was breathtaking. The absolute solitude of the island is magic. Really amazed by all the rock fences for the livestock. Rocks are a necessity as there are only 3 trees on the island and even the sod was brought in since most of the island is rock.There are also views of the Cliffs of Moher but Inis Meain has its own cliffs and they are also spectacular. Ended the afternoon with a couple of pints of Guiness. Seriously was better than I remembered but Anamaria that is because the best Guiness in Ireland was here. Caught the 4:30 ferry to Galway.

IRELAND, Galway

September 23, 2012

Arrived in Galway yesterday around 7 pm after ferry ride from Inis Meain and 1 hr bus ride. Staying at Sleepzone Hostel which is very close to Eyre Square. Will walk around and take pictures today and post later. Dublin tomorrow. Will defintely have to reintroduce myself to McDonals today to get back on budget. I see the Euro Menu (their Dollar Menu) in my future to get back on budget. At about $6.25 for a pint of Guiness sacrifices have to be made. lol  Finished off last evening in Galway with a couple of pints of Bulmers Cider in the Latin Quarter. Last picture is of the Spanish Arch.

Spanish Arch

Bulmers Cider

Galway University Cathedral

For all you harp lovers.

Latin Quarter

For everyone who has been to Costa Rica, you know this.

Where musicians go to get drunk and drunks go to become musicians.

Don't see a didgeridoo every day. He played it constantly for both days I was here. Must not be a smoker.

IRELAND, Dublin

September 24, 2012

Loved Galway, had 2 pints of Bulmers Cider in Latin Quarter yesterday but it did not help me sleep with "SNORING GUY" registering an 8.5 on the Richter Scale. The 4 of us who could not sleep convinced the guy at the night desk to let us move to an empty dorm. Much appreciaed. Wonder what "SNORING GUY" thought when he woke up this morning to a room all by himself. lol

I took the City Link bus instead of Bus Eirean because it was 4 euros cheaper and had bathroom and wifi. Unfortunately it was raining and does not look to let up anytime soon. I have seen the tourist sites before so will blog today and catch a pint later. Hopefully the weather will clear up before my flight to Edinburgh, Scotland tomorrow evening. I have all day tomorrow to revisit Trinity College and other pioints of interest.

This trip is NOT representative of future guided trips because my time here is limited and I am doing some things I have not done before. Skipping Killarney (my favorite), and Kilkenny. For more of the typical sights check out my 2007 Ireland viist at billpassman.blogspot.ie  or go to my blogs at bpassman.blogspot.com

Minus all the hiking I did on the Kerry Way, that will be done by Tour Bus.

Walked to Temple Bar District for a pint of the good stuff, some Irish music and to take a few pictures.
Lots of signs promoting Oktoberfest in Temple Bar. Seems like a sign for me to go to Munich.