Why is it that vacations always seem to go by so fast, even when you’re going to be gone for nearly 2 weeks?  For whatever reason, today is our last full day in Ireland.

This morning we went to church with Aaron and Katie.  Their church is a good deal smaller than our home church but the pastor gave a nice sermon and we knew about half of the worship songs that were sung.  After church we walked around St. Stephen’s Green.  Once again, I could not find the IRB…I know they’re around that park somewhere. Oh well, while strolling through the park, Noah and I did enjoy snickering at Aaron for taking pictures of a frozen pond.  Apparently ice and snow are not very common to Ireland and Aaron, also being from Southern California, is enamored with it. 🙂

We then headed back down Grafton Street, which was a lot more lively during the day (and sunny weather) and met up with another one of Aaron and Katie’s friends for lunch.  As we all sat down around the table Aaron gave the following introduction to his friend, “Seo mo chara Casey agus a fear céile Noah.”  Even without understanding the Irish language, I was able to conclude that Aaron just spoke, “This is my friend Casey and her husband Noah.”  Perhaps it was the hand gestures that gave it away. 😉

After lunch Aaron and Katie took us by an Irish-speaking only pub, then dropped us back off at the apartment so we could relax, organize and pack in preparation for tomorrow’s departure.  We all did spend one last night together for dinner as Noah and I had remaining groceries to cook.  So we enjoyed spaghetti with either breaded pork chops or pan fried chicken breast and an episode of Father Ted.  We also watched the film, Once, which Aaron tried to get me to rent prior to our vacation.  The movie is very indy in style, but we didn’t watch it for the storyline or plot but for the location as it was filmed in Dublin.

Now it’s time for bed as tomorrow is going to come very early and we have a very long day of traveling ahead of us.  We need to be at the airport around 8am, which means getting up around 6am.
So, Ireland, as we head ready to return back to the States, may I part with the following valediction: slán go fóill (goodbye for now), as I plan to come back again — probably during a warmer season. 🙂

Carrick-a-rede is a rope bridge that leads from the mainland in Northern Ireland to a small rock island.  Originally this bridge was used by fishermen who were too lazy to row a boat to the rock and instead built a flimsy bridge to blow around in the massive wind gusts.  Well, the bridge isn’t that flimsy as it is now a popular tourist destination, but the wind gusting is still applicable.

Since Aaron and Katie had been to the bridge before they hung back at the visitor center tea house while Noah and I trekked down the path toward the bridge.  The winds were horrible here.  Bitterly cold and gusting in the 50 mph range, I’m sure.  They were strong enough to push me off my feet at times.  However, the coastal view was spectacular as we made our way toward the bridge.  In the distance, across the sea, we could even see Scotland!  After what seemed like forever (because I had to pee almost as soon as we left the visitor center we arrived at the gateway to the bridge.  I was not planning on crossing the bridge because I’m pregnant and tired, so I stood on the mainland, my face covered by my scarf, my beanie pulled down low on my head, and took pictures of the scenery and Noah as he made it across.  On the way back to the visitor center I was beyond slow.  Steep stairs were not my friend and my bladder was now very full.  So, as became a reoccurring theme with our vacation, Noah took my hand and dragged me along the path.

Our next stop on our journey of Northern Ireland was to Downhill House and Mussenden Temple.  The Temple is located on right on the cliffs above the Irish Sea, near Castlerock in County Londonderry.  It was built in the late 18th century by yet another Bishop.  Downhill House was the Bishop’s mansion home, also built in the 18th century but mostly destroyed by fire in the mid 19th.  However, an amazing ruin!  There are signs posted on the inner walls to detail what room was located in that area of the house.  And what amazing views it had of the surrounding countryside!  It must have been quite the abode when it was standing in it’s full grandeur!

As the sun set behind the hills, we headed back into town for some shopping.  The British Pound is weaker than the Euro, so Katie and Aaron always stock up on groceries and buy random items while up north (this trip the big item purchase was a Dyson vacuum).  We did a little shopping as well.  The Dollar to Pound conversion is only a few cents off from the Dollar to Euro so we weren’t making as big of bargains.  But I did buy a very nice fleece jacket on clearance for Logan for £4.50 (appx. $7.35) and a baby’s first Christmas shirt for £1 (appx. $1.63).  Big spenders!  Well, Logan needed items to acknowledge his trip to both countries.  🙂

Now we’re back in Dun Laoghaire and tomorrow is our last full day in Ireland.  Wow, this trip has gone by fast!

A new year, a new country!  Today we headed up to Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.  So now, technically I’ve been to 2 countries outside the US, yet my passport only shows record of one (no fancy border crossing).  The drive from Dun Laoghaire took about 3 hours, was very scenic, and thankfully I did not get sick at all!  After yesterday, that is a BIG accomplishment!  We even drove past some “mountains” topped with snow!

Our first stop was Giant’s Causeway (Clochán na bhFómharach) near Bushmills.  Giant’s Causeway are naturally formed rocks that look like stepping stones.  Legend is that a giant in Ireland built the causeway to get to Scotland to fight another giant.  When the Scottish giant came to Ireland, the Irish giant was dressed as a baby.  When the Scottish giant saw the size of the baby he panicked at imagining what the father would look like, so he fled back to Scotland, destroying the causeway as he went.

After the Causeway we drove to the B&B we had booked for the night, located in Portrush.  I have never stayed in a B&B before but this one was nicer than many hotels!  Our room was a corner suite complete with a king size bed, a sofa and a large private bathroom.  I was impressed.  Once we were checked-in we headed back out to visit with friends of Katie’s that lived nearby.  After enjoying some convesration, tea and biscuits we headed upstairs where the men engaged in several rounds of competitive fooseball.  I think Aaron deserves his own table and Noah needs practice.

For dinner we went to a restaurant on the harbor and all devoured delicious pasta!  Noah and I also shared an order of tobacco onions.  Odd name, but are like the thinly shredded onion rings at Woodranch.  Very tasty…except for the world’s worst heartburn EVER I have tonight.  I think I’m going to need to sleep sitting up tonight!

Tomorrow Coleraine and a rope bridge.

Not a fun day for me.  Lots of driving, lots of curves, lots of vomit and one anxiety attack.

On the way to our first stop of the day, without even leaving Dublin, I got sick and was awarded the coveted shotgun seat in the car.  After a nauseating drive (nothing to do with the way Katie drives) we finally made it to Newgrange (Sí an Bhrú), a 5,000 year old pagan temple (one of the oldest prehistoric sites on Earth — older than Stonehenge).  Aaron had told me about Newgrange before we made our trip to Ireland and mentioned that the entrance is very narrow.  Knowing that and hearing the warning from the guide about people who get nervous is small areas not going into the temple first, I made sure I was the very very last person through the entrance.  Saying it was narrow is not a very accurate description.  It was so tight bags/purses had to be carried in front of a person so as not to scrape against the stacked-stone walls.  And I, a shorty of 5’3″, could not stand fully erect in places.  Noah was a few paces ahead of me and I kept asking him if the passage got wider or taller up ahead where he was.  He said it did, as where he stood at that moment was between rock beams and he was able to stand fully upright.  But all I noticed was the tight enclosure of non-reinforced stones and felt myself start to panic.  I looked at Noah wide-eyed and managed to tell him I couldn’t do this and had to leave.  I turned and left in a hurry, having only made it about 10-feet into the chamber.  By the time I got outside I was having an anxiety attack, complete with tears and shortness of breath.  It took about 5 minutes to calm myself back down.  Ah the joys of being claustrophobic!  Noah at least enjoyed the tour and easily made it into the large 15-foot inner room.  However, there were about 40 people crammed into that room and at one point the tour guide turned off the lights to show just how dark it got inside the chamber. Noah said it was a good thing I left because I definitely wouldn’t have been able to handle that.  And had someone been behind me as I needed to make my hasty exit, they would have been shoved out the door.

After Newgrange we headed to the Hill of Tara (Teamhair na Rí) also in County Meath.  Again, on the way to the site I got sick.  Being pregnant I am already slow walking around sites, and feeling nauseous, I was even slower.  So once again, Noah dragged me along behind him. 🙂  I took pictures of scenery and watched as Katie, Aaron and Noah ran up and down the hills.  I also got a nice picture of Aaron “pushing” Noah off one of the hills.  After Tara we drove around in search of Bective Abbey, which took a bit to find because apparently in Ireland, Google Maps wants you to drive through people’s yards as shortcuts.  I know there’s Irish hospitality and all, but I really don’t think locals would appreciate us tearing through their gardens.  We finally did find access to the Abbey via a main road (main roads in Ireland are one lane in each direction).  But since I felt like crud I opted to stay in the car and let the other three romp around the ruins.  Noah did take lots of pictures, however, so it was almost as if I was there to enjoy it with him.

After the Abbey we headed back to our home away from home.  I of course got sick again, multiple times and slept through dinner and half of a rented movie.  I did wake up in time to munch on some fake saltine crackers (closest I could get in Ireland were cream crackers), an apple and some fake Gatorade and enjoy watching the telecast of fireworks over Big Ben in London.  Happy New Year to all of you back in the states!  Here’s hoping for less puking in 2010!

First of all, it is amazing I was able to get up at all today.  I am so sore from all the walking that was done yesterday!  Carrying a baby really changes how much walking you can do on a single day and how much stamina you have to do it!  And what were our original plans for today? Going on a 4-mile hike in Gleann Dá Loch, in County Wicklow.  The plan was to meet up with a friend of Aaron’s and a group of youth from their church.  But after driving through pouring rain to get there, and getting lost on the way, we ended up being 30+ minutes late of the schedule hike departure time.  When we got to the area by the lakes, it was precipitating a rain/snow combination and Aaron did not see his friend’s car.  A quick phone call later we learn that the hike was canceled (and the friend decided to not let us know).  I was actually relieved that the hike was called off as I am still sore from yesterday and not relishing the idea of sloshing around in mud and rain.  But, since we were there, Aaron and Noah decided to go check out a cemetery and turret.  I stayed in the car where it was warm and dry. 🙂

After their wet expedition, we headed back to Dun Laoghaire, grabbed some food and Katie and headed to jail.  Not just any jail but one that was built over 200 years ago, Kilmainham Gaol (Príosún Chill Mhaighneann), in Dublin.  The tour was creepier than walking around Alcatraz.  We had a tour guide, cold stone passageways, and narrow cells you could actually go into (some with solid wood doors with peep holes).  Plus it was dark outside and raining, which makes things all the more eerie…especially when attempting to peer into one of the peep holes.  Aaron told me after the tour that while I was looking into a cell some other random tourist thought it would be funny to pretend to slam my face into the door.  Who does that?  Needless to say, if he actually did, I would have had 2 tall men immediately start pounding on the guy and I’m sure a handful of other tourists.  Not cool.  Aside from that, also creepy was looking out on a courtyard where executions from the Easter Rising occurred.  These sites were marked by black crosses.  Oh, also, when you enter the jail, you walk underneath where the gallows stood for public hangings.  I’m sure that place would be haunted, although it’s not mentioned in the tour.

Thankfully we were released from jail, without getting attacked.  Tomorrow we head to County Meath.

Today it rained.  All day.  Not a torrential deluge but a consistent drizzle of sorts.  However, we weren’t going to let a little water ruin our day so Aaron took us around the City Centre in Baile Athá Cliath (aka Dublin), arriving via the DART.  City Centre is the downtown district.  Lots of shops, pubs and historical buildings such as the post office on Connolly Street, which was the center of the Easter Rising in 1916.  Aaron pointed out to us bullet holes in the columns outside the building as well as on a statue that graces the middle of the street.  However, before our little history lesson, I made my the best purchase  – a beanie and scarf!  Those darn Irish winds kept blowing off my hat.

We then walked along the River Liffey, weaving in and out of crowds and getting hit by cars.  Well actually, only one car and actually I was the only one that got it.  Now this sounds a lot worse than it is (I’m sure you’re picturing the pregnant lady getting thrown to the ground and rushed to the hospital, but that’s not the case).  Some guy pulled into a one-way alley going the wrong way.  Another car was headed toward him so he started to back up as Noah and I were walking behind his car.  Noah was a pace or two ahead of me, so the car pushed my hand into my hip.  No pain. It was slow and annoyed me, so of course I yelled at the driver, then continued walking.  We then ventured through Temple Bar, a cultural quarter of Dublin, and saw where Aaron used to live and a storefront he claimed made the best crepes.  We didn’t have a chance to test him on that.

After walking a bit more we went to the tourist center, where I got a cute onesie for Logan, then we hiked over to Trinity College.  By this point I was really glad I was wearing Uggs and had that new beanie as the rain was coming down a little harder.  I was also glad for my waterproof snowboarding jacket. 🙂  From Trinity we went to a museum where we saw ancient papyrus scrolls of Old and New Testament writings.  That was pretty neat!  Then we walked over to Dublin Castle.  The castle was originally built in the 12th century, but almost completely burned down in 17th century.  It was then rebuilt in Victorian grandeur and is currently one of Ireland’s parliament buildings.  The only remaining Medieval aspect of the castle still remaining above ground is the Record Tower.  Part of the castle tour takes you below ground where you can see the lower portion of the tower and a stairwell to a doorway that was in the fortress wall.  Merchants used to bring their goods to that stairwell (to avoid bringing Bubonic Plague into the castle) by way of the River Poddle.  That river is now completely subterranean and underneath the castle, exists as a stale, murky cesspool.

After the castle tour it was time for a good Irish meal.  Where else would you find that but at a carvery, of course!  And where else would a good carvery be located but inside a pub!  Meat and potatoes galore!  I enjoyed my lamb immensely and Noah I think ended up with potatoes cooked three different ways!

Next stop on the docket for today was the Old Jameson Whiskey Distillery.   To get back on the other-side of the River Liffey we crossed the Ha’penny Bridge.  Aaron told us it was only a couple of blocks away.  But then he got lost and a couple blocks became a mile or so.  By now my Uggs are saturated with rain and I’m tired – very tired.  We trudged on, finally arriving after dark.  I was so tired I started to doze while the mini-movie was shown during the tour.  After the mini-movie the tour guide selected 8 individuals to act as a tasters later on, Noah was one of those selected.  The tour ended at a bar where each guest was given a free drink.  I posed with mine then gave it to Aaron to enjoy.  Noah sat on the panel and had to do a taste test between Irish, Scottish and American whiskeys.  Amusingly enough, when the tour guide asked the panel which whiskey was their favorite, the Irish Jameson was not #1.  In fact, it was Noah’s 2nd choice (JD being his first).  However, he was still awarded his official whiskey taster certificate.

Now since it was dark, still raining, and I was beyond pooped we decided to take the Luas back toward the City Centre so we wouldn’t have to walk as much.  But before we got back on the Dart, Aaron took us down Grafton Street and along St. Stephen’s Green.  I couldn’t find the IRB in the dark and the stores were closing.  But we did go to this underground grocery store (underneath a clothing department store of all places) and buy some tasty cookies).  After walking (and by walking I mean Noah dragging me) several more blocks we finally made it back to the DART station, where as we waited for our train, our shopping bags promptly disintegrated.  Did I mention that Ireland is anti-plastic bag?  So anywhere we purchased an item we were given a paper bag, and after walking around in the rain all day, our bags died.  What other choice did we have but to try and cram as much as possible into my purse and the rest Noah had to carry.  Aaron got a good chuckle over our situation.  However, the last laugh was ours when, while sitting on the train, Aaron’s bag of cookies suffered the same fate and his cookies dropped all over the seat.

Although I enjoyed walking at least 5 miles around the city, by the time we got back I was sooooo pooped I laid down on the couch and literally could not move.  Noah literally had to move my legs so I could shuffle my way to the table for dinner.  Safe to say I will sleep well tonight.

Oh and by the way, Dublin.  What is up with hiding all of the women’s toilets?  Men’s toilets were easily accessible on the ground floor whereas I had to climb up to the 3rd story or creep down into the basement just to pee.  And as any woman who has ever been pregnant knows, this happens often.  Very, very often.  I think as a city, you Dublin, need to amend this inconvenience.

Today we visited Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis), in County Offaly, an ancient monastery founded in 545 AD next to the Shannon River.  It was an early site for spreading Christianity throughout Ireland.  Several buildings still remain in ruin, including a bell tower.  Additional there are several cemeteries dating back for several centuries and as recent as the 1970s.

Afterward we drove down to County Tipperary to visit the Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig) and Hore Abbey.  Unfortunately, we arrived at Cashel 15 minutes too late to make it inside the walls and could only admire from afar.  I believe we were unable to go inside due to the Cashel Curse.  This was the third trip our friends had made to the rock and the third time they were unable to get in, so as a result, we too were unable to breach the castle walls (if only TSA let me check that grappling hook…).

However, Hore Abbey was right across a cow/sheep pasture (complete with hills, slippery grass and frozen mud — ideal for the tired pregnant lady to trudge through).  Hore Abbey was built over nearly 800 years ago by Benedictine monks.  I was able to take many pictures of this abbey, but not as many as I would have liked due to the waning daylight (plague of traveling during winter).

Needless to say we saw lots of beautiful Irish countryside today and walked a lot.

Sunday in Ireland is nothing like Sunday in the States.  For one thing, Ireland is a very religious country, unlike how the States have become.  Noah and I got up at a normal time, 8:30am, but to Irish standards, that’s early.  We had plans to go to the nearby grocery store and grab some breakfast goods, only the store wasn’t open yet.  In fact, just about every store on the nearby walking mall was closed, not to open until tomorrow at some late morning hour.  Oh well, when in doubt and hungry what do you look for?  The Golden Arches.  Sadly, they were open that early in the morning.  I do not recommend their bagel – it’s toasted on a griddle.

Due to the holiday weekend, Aaron’s church was not having a formal service, but instead hiking around Killiney Hill (Cill Iníon Léinín) in Dublin.  The weather today was beautiful – sunny, clear, probably low-40s.  The wind was a bit brisk, but overall definitely warmer than the temperatures back in Colorado.  Although, I can do without the wind.  It kept blowing off my cap and so I confiscated Noah’s beanie for my own use.  People on the hike told us we should have gone somewhere warm for our winter vacation — we told them we did.  🙂

The afternoon was spent with a couple that leads worship at the church, then we traveled up a hill to the highest pub in Dublin.  Rumor had it that the views from the pub we spectacular, but between the lack of windows, trees and houses we failed to see how that rumor was established.  Now I’m flipping through a travel book trying to select just where we want to go tomorrow…

A hundred thousand welcomes to Ireland!!!

 What happened to Christmas? It doesn’t seem like much of a holiday celebration when you spend the entire day in airports and aboard airplanes traveling across many different time zones.  Due to said time zones, we arrived in Dublin this morning after what seems like 24-hours of traveling.  We left home at 4am Christmas morning and landed in Dublin around 8:30am the following day.

Our first layover was in Dallas, which had snow, surprisingly.  Barely just a dusting, but snow nonetheless.  That stopover was only scheduled to be around 2 hours, but ended up being extended to 4.  We were initially delayed an hour inside the terminal, then after we boarded the plane, we sat there for another hour.  These waits had nothing to do with the snow but a flight attendant.  For some reason the woman who was scheduled to be on our flight ended up being not qualified for that plane (???) and we had to wait for another plane to land and some other woman to come serve on ours.  Oy.  At least during that wait that allowed us access to the TVs so we could watch movies or other various programming.

Finally we made it to Chicago, layover number 2. This layover was supposed to be 4-hours, but due to the delay in Chicago it was going to be cut in half.  We boarded the plane on time, but as we were waiting to leave it started to snow in Chicago and O’Hare is not as apt at de-icing as DIA.  So we waited for about another hour or so on the plane.  However, if the delay is due to getting our plane de-iced so it’s safe for flight, I am ok with that.

The flight across the Atlantic was packed tight like a can of sardines, but that’s what happens when you buy tickets in coach.  I was successful, however, at convincing the nice woman with the aisle seat to trade for the window.  She planned on taking a sleeping pill for the flight and upon seeing my pregnant state, and knowing how much I would need to get up, gladly played musical seats.Under normal, non-pregnant circumstances, spending 7-hours on a plane would not be that terrible.  But seeing as I am pregnant, my knees did NOT like being bent and my body did NOT like being able to stretch out.  Needless to say I am not looking forward to that return flight. But at least I did figure out a way to arrange the carry-on bag in such a manner I could straighten my legs mostly out under the seat in front of me.  It’s a good thing I’m short.

Finally, we arrived in Dublin at an airport smaller than I pictured in my mind (think Burbank).  Passing through customs was a breeze and I finally have a stamp in my passport.  Yay!  My friend Aaron picked us up and gave a us a quick tour of the area as he took us to the flat in which we are staying.  This apartment (2-bedroom, 2-bath) belongs to friends of Aaron’s that are actually in the states right now.  It is incredibly generous for them to let us use their home while they are away.  And for all technicalities we are actually staying in Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Done Leary); across the street from a harbor on the Irish Sea.  Rough I know, but someone’s gotta do it.  😉

Aaron actually dropped us off here so we can get settled and rest a bit before he and his wife, Katie, come pick us up for dinner with some of their friends.  So perhaps I should do that.  More later.