The bleary eyed travelers have arrived

5:30 am Saturday morning we arrived in Shannon Dublin. We both slept lousy as there was a 'lovely' couple sitting behind us who insisted on watching the same tv program as each other (on full volume) yet still talk to each other... even though they couldn't hear what they were saying. Then, after a while, the wife decided to sing along to her opera music even though she is definitely NOT an opera singer.

Anyway, we arrived in Shannon no problem, got our luggage, went through customs and got the car. When we arrived to car space 129, we couldn't believe our luck; they had given us a car that we could fit in our pocket! :) Now at least we didn't have to worry about parking it. Dave could just put it in his back pack and we'd be on our way.

Once i stopped giggling, we loaded the car and programmed the GPS with our first location; Cliffs of Moher. Then we buckled, said a little prayer for driving on the wrong side of the road and took off. So far so good. Then we got to the first of a million roundabouts. Our GPS, Smitty, (yes we named it), loves roundabouts and loves to have us go a quarter of a mile then take the second exit. we literally did this about 10 times before we got to a main 'highway' and stayed on that for about 20KM. 

Once we got to the Cliffs of Moher, we weren't entirely sure where exactly the cliffs were (one would think that there'd be huge signs and loads of people), but since it was now a bout 7:30 am, we were definitely the first ones there so it was natural for Smitty to miss it. So, we continued driving around. Eventually, we found the cliffs. The cliffs were AMAZING and a definite recommend. We grabbed a sandwich as well as a coffee to go and ate in the car as we continued to drive. We were now on a mission to find the "spectacular" Doolin Stelagtite (spelling?). We found it. it was "amazing"... insert sarcasm here. you basically go down a manmade pipe then walk for a while then you see a 20 foot stelagtite... which, yes is kinda neat, but, eh... 

so after we regained consciousness, i mean from all of the awesomeness of  the spectacular stelagtite we went in search of our Bed and Breakfast. We went up mountains and down mountains and saw sheeps and sheeps and sheeps. There were even fields of cows. it was pretty cool. We found the B&B and checked in. Once we checked in, we went scavenging for some dinner. All of the local restaurants/pubs had some pretty important rugby game on and were not at all interested in serving Americans dinner, so we kept having to relocate.

We finally went back to the Doolin town center and found a cool pub/restaurant called Fitzpatricks. We ate there and it was delicious. After dinner we cruised back to the B&B and slept.

More on Day 2 later.

the packing will begin... right after dinner... or maybe...

so, we have one more day of work until we leave for our trip - whoo hoo!

The GPS arrived today and now we are trying to make sure that the magic jack phone thing works on the laptop (just in case we need to make some calls).

we will really start packing tomorrow, but it's so exciting to think that there's only one work day left (or as kids would say, 2 night sleeps!)

:)

3 more days!!

With only 3 days left until the flight to Ireland on Friday, we have started to receive all of the re-confirmations! We were going to pack yesterday (Sunday) but weren't sure if we'd want to use anything during the week and nothing like packing, unpacking and then re-packing. We bought a new power transformer today and a car adaptor thingy where we can charge things in the car too... so that's pretty cool!

We are now starting to book / plan some of the 'extras' and have discovered that the Euro has dropped quite a bit since we started booking in February. YAY us! we're already saving money! lol.

It's so hot right now that it will be tricky to get into a colder mindset and pack things like sweaters and rain gear!

Hears to hoping for warm/sunny weather!

10 days and counting!

So, we have about 10 days (9 if you don't count today) and it's kinda frustrating that there isn't a way to see into the future to determine the weather! I've been told by friends and various websites (and recollections from my HS days) that it's very wise to dress in layers as in Ireland you'll see all the seasons during the day!

We are getting very excited and my list making has been going through the roof... although we have decided not to pack until this weekend! We are bringing just one suitcase and one carry on each. :)

We've been printing out all of the confirmations and directions (even though we have a GPS... just in case!) and organizing them into a light-weight, bendable binder that will be easily accessible.

CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

The Game Plan - thus far

May 1 - 2
After a long flight over the pond (can you say that if you're not going to England?), we land in Shannon, Ireland at the crack of dawn. Dave says that he won't be able to sleep on the flight, so I'll be in charge of that days driving... I say he is under estimating the power of NiQuil. :-)

May 2-4
After we pick up our probably very small car, we will make the hour drive North West, towards Doolin, which is right near the Cliffs of Moher (www.cliffsofmoher.ie/) and the Doolin Caves (www.doolincave.ie/). We're staying at a nice little B&B called Crosswinds for two nights. For one of the nights, we're going to go to a Medieval Feast, which will be really cool! Have us some authentic Irish Mead (honey wine) and pretend that we're lords and ladies for the night (or does that just make us sound... um... like 'ladies of the night'?)

May 4 - 6
After we have seen it all in Doolin, we will head North-ish (yes, that's a technical Irish traveling term) towards County Mayo (hoping we'll be able to pick up a supply of Hellmann's Mayo - hardy har har). We're going to stay at the Ashford Castle (www.ashford.ie/) which was apparently once apart of the Guinness Family's estates.

May 7 - 10
After our sure to be wonderful stay at Ashford, we begin the 4 hour drive towards Dublin. We opted out of staying in the city of Dublin... instead we'll stay in a nice hotel on the water, about 25 minutes away from the city... we'll prob take the city bus to the city so we don't have the anxiety of trying to drive in Dublin.

We'll also be doing some day trips to the Japanese Gardens in Kildare (www.irish-national-stud.ie/tourism/) and to Powserscourt Caste in Wicklow (www.powerscourt.ie/gardens/house/). The drive through Wicklow will be beautiful... at least from the photo stalking that I have done thus far... especially around Glendalough; it seems very picturesque. The whole trip will be amazing! i'm very excited.

In Dublin, we'll do the typical touristy things like Trinity College (Book of Kells), St. James Gate, drink some Guinness, National Gallery Museum, Ha'Penny Bridge, St. Stephens Green, ... plus, we found this pretty cool GHOST bus ride, which I for one am super excited about. Dave is nervous that I will be freaked out, but I think it'll be fun. There's also a Literary Pub Crawl, where these actors pretend to be various famous Irish authors like WB Yeats and take you to various pubs, which might be kinda cool.

Some quick links... i'm sure we'll post more!

Dublin Links:
www.dublinbus.ie/sightseeing/ghostbus.aspx
http://www.dublintourist.com/towns/temple_bar/

Planning our Ireland Trip

We have decided that we desperately need a vacation.... so why not go and scout out leprechauns, fairies and castles while drinking some delicious pints in Ireland? And with a little bit of luck, we'll find a pot o' gold...

The flight, the car and the 'major' hotels/bed and breakfasts have been booked. After a minor didn't realize exactly where the castle hotel was really located booking error (my bad), we've decided to focus on the middle part of Ireland as well as Dublin. It's all part of my 'evil' plan to have to come back and show Dave southern Ireland and visit county Cork and Kerry. :) (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!) Besides, the castle is def worth it!

Now, we just have to figure out what we're packing and trying to remember to drive on the other side of the road! eek

Dates: May 1 - May 10
Locations: Shannon, Clare, Doolin, Galway, Bantry, Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow (at least at the moment)