So... Last time I wrote about the Betty's B & B situation in Galway, Ireland. Now time to write about the fun stuff about traveling; sight-seeing! Amelia, Rachel and I decided to do a day tour of the Cliffs of Moher. Our bus driver, Michael Rooney was the best. He explains that he is of no relation to the footballer, Wayne Rooney. He is a very knowledgeable and funny man. I love the Irish sense of humour. See what I did there? Some British grammar. We stop at a castle and Michael explains the history of protecting and attacking a castle. Very interesting stuff, really. We move along to the cliffs. They span about 5 miles. We have two hours to explore. Michael explains that he too will be taking in the sights today because the view is good today. He said there are only about 30 days out of the year where you can see all of the cliffs. Lucky us! The pictures I take do the view no justice. It's crazy how you can walk right up to edge. It's a bit scary. The hike around the cliffs is tiring but worth it. Such incredible views. They say the cliffs are touristy but I would recommend them. I am a tourist, after all.
The next day the three of us decide to tour the Aran Islands. We take a 45 minute ferry from Galway to the main island, Inis Mor. Once on the island, you have a choice on how to take in the sights. You can walk it, ride a bike or take a van tour. We heard walking takes too long and you don't see enough. It was windy and cold that day so opt for the van. Again, we had a great driver. Taking the van also gave us a tour guide and it was the same price as renting a bike. This island has a population of 800 people. It has one doctor, one cop, one priest and one bank that is only open on Wednesdays. The scenery is thought-provoking. There are slate rock fences EVERYWHERE! There is no glue or cement that hold these together. They just set one on top of the other. These fences also pen in the livestock so they have to dismantle a walkway and build it up again after. I'm fascinated by these walls. We stop by a few churches, there are lots here. All built by stone and all open-aired. After the driving tour, we had two hours to spend on our own before the ferry leaves. We walk around a bit and go to a restaurant called Tí Joe Watty's. We have a some chips (fries) and I have a beer. There are a few locals thee and they are all speaking Irish. I heard more Irish spoken here than English. Very traditional here. We make our way towards the ferry and there is a very small beach and a dog just chillin' there. Amelia, the animal lover goes to the dog and notices a smashed can in it's mouth. The dog drops it and Amelia throws it. Her and the dog enjoy playing fetch whilst Rachel and I take photos of them. It was a very cool dog.
Amelia and I were hoping to catch the last train into Dublin so we could Sail and Rail to London. Sail and Rail is taking a ferry to Wales and then a train into London. We didn't make it back in time so we get a hostel. It was our last night traveling with Rachel so we say our good-byes. Rachel is 19 and traveling Ireland another two weeks on her own. Good on her. I'm sure she'll have the time of her life. Amelia and I say to ourselves that she'll be hard pressed to find better traveling buddies. Good luck Rachel!
We decide to wake up a 4:30AM to catch the 5:30AM train. I wake up at 4:00AM, anxious not to miss the train. Amelia wakes up at 4:30 with not much resistance. We gather our things and go to the station. Not many people on the early train. We get to Dublin and take a tram to the station we think we need to go to walk to the ferry port. Didn't seem far on the map. We walk and walk. We are in full gear now. We ask someone if we are going the right way after 20 minutes of walking. They say we are but that it's a long walk. We say we don't mind the walk so we keep at it. After another 15-20 minutes I'm starting to get tired. We see two Garda (cops) and ask them. They say we are on the right path but it's a ways away. I ask is a taxi would be better and he said no, they'd just rip us off. We are close to 9:30AM and the the ferry we woke up early to catch leaves at 9:45. I get worried we aren't going to make it. We keep walking in a very industrial looking area and I ask again. We are told we are almost there but we missed the 9:45 ferry. We finally get to the ferry port and the next ferry is at 3:30PM. I'm exhausted. The station agent tells us under his breath that there is an earlier ferry out of a different company. We thank him and take his advice. Another little walk and we are there. We buy our tickets for a 2:30PM ferry. I try to sleep. We have four hours to kill. I got a little nap in. Amelia researched what to do in London. We get on the ferry and it is super nice. It's like an airport terminal on water. It's got restaurants, duty-free shops and lounging areas. We both buy some Belgian chocolate and I share the leftover Carlsburg I had in my pack. Chocolate and beer on a boat to London puts a smile on our faces.
We get to the train station, find our train and board. We have to transfer once but it wasn't a hassle. It was a pretty long ride. Six hours total, I think. The scenery of Wales from the train is just as picturesque as in Ireland. Livestock roaming everywhere, green pastures, castles, the whole bit. Too bad I couldn't take better pictures from the window. Too much glare.
We arrive in London around 9:30PM. Pretty long day. Amelia's hostel was full so I book one close by. It wasn't as nice as hers but heck, we're in London! I walk her to her hostel and then I find mine. They are very close to each other. Amelia picked a great location. We are close to Hyde Park. Walking distance to everything. I meet my roommates at my new hostel, Guido and Nico. Brothers from Argentina. They are very nice. We speak in Spanish but some words I didn't pick up on. We still understood each other fine. I conk out.
I wake up early again, around 6:30AM. I write in my journal, and get ready for the day. I walk over to Amelia's hostel around 8:00 and she is on time. She isn't a morning person, she says. She tells me she was up late routing a walking tour of our own. I was impressed.
Here is an outline of what we did for the two days: Changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, walking through parks (Hyde, St. James, Regents), Piccadilly Circus, London Bridge, London Towers, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Borough Market, Abbey Road, Platform 9 3/4 (Harry Potter thing), British Museum and also countless of great street scenery.
Brief synopses of some the sites:
Changing of the guard was just okay. Amelia loved it because one of the guards spoke to her. We got there almost two hours early and had front row and while marching, he leaned in and said, "it's getting harder." We all assumed he meant it's getting harder for him to keep his composure because ever time he would walk up, Amelia would make googley-eyes at him.
Abbey Road was a disappointment. Too much traffic to get a good picture, plus scores of people trying to mimic the Beatles photo.
Platform 9 3/4 was cool. I'm not the biggest fan but it was neat to see.
Borough Market was my favorite. The coolest market I've ever been to. So many varieties of food and drink and the ambiance was fantastic.
Regents Park was also wonderful. It is a huge park with the London zoo inside it. Just walking through it was neat. There was a squirrel that just walked up to us and Amelia wanted to feed it and as if the squirrel knew it, started climbing up her leg. She loved it. There were also patches and patches of rosé gardens. Each one separated and each one with a name placard assigned with funny names. I'm assuming it 's a rose garden competing that takes place during rosé season. I've seen something like it on Downton Abbey (don't judge me).
One the whole, London was brilliant! They love saying that here. I just enjoyed how you could get lost and encounter something cool to see anywhere. I did see places called,"Eat." and "Pret A Manger" every 50 meters. See that? Another British reference;metric system here. But there is so much I didn't get to see. I must come back.
Another big ups to Amelia. She allowed me to see so much of London in such a short time. I had to say farewell to her after three nights in London. Not only that, it is amazing that I met her on my first day of traveling and travelled with her the following eight days! It was a pleasure to travel with her (Rachel too) and I am ever so thankful for meeting them. Amelia is traveling another five weeks or so by herself as well. I think that it's great and brave. She is 22 years old. I think people in America think it is unsafe to travel alone and better yet, be female and travel alone and I met two people that are doing it and having a geat time. I say brave but I don't think I needed to. Safe travels, Amelia!
After London, I took a train to Hereford, England. Here is where my friend Jill lives. I know Jill from San Diegobut she lives here now with her boyfriend Sean.
The first two days was just Jill and I drinking beer and getting to see some of Hereford and its surrounding areas of beauty. Hereford is known for its cattle and cider. Oh boy, did we have some cider. We had stouts and lagers too. We went to some neat pubs and just chatted away with locals for hours. Didn't meet a single jerk. These people were inviting us to go to Stonehenge, concerts and charity events. All in the first day of meeting us. It was great!
When Sean got into town, we went to a Sunday Roast. This involves a delicious meal with savory meats, Yorkshire pudding, gravy and potatoes. I loved it. The weather was perfect the day before and on Sunday. The backdrops were like from a movie. You could get lost here too and be some interesting and beautiful.
I must thank Jill and Sean for letting me stay with them. It has been wonderful to downshift a bit during my travels and you both have been nothing short of gracious hosts. I am endebted to you both.
Today is Friday and I have booked a flight for Amsterdam on Monday and Jill said she is joinging me for a couple of days! Can't wait to experience The Netherlands!
I'll check back from Amsterdam. Send me a message if you have any recommendations. I'll be there for three days.
Be well!
