I've decided that I am having way too much fun. It is quite difficult for me to find the time to update this blog and my photos.
Killarney National Park was beautiful. I walked all around the lake and saw another castle, Ross Castle. It was a very gloomy day and eventually began to rain to I went back to my hostel and made friends. First I made friends with a girl, Ayala from Israel. Then together we made friends with two German girls, Anne and Maria. The four of us went to several pubs together. One had live traditional Irish music and the others had live modern music. It was quite fun. At every bar, the German girls ordered beers, the Israeli girl ordered vodka lemonade and the California girl ordered wine.
Yesterday I traveled up to Galway. Here I walked around and took in the sites of this rather beautiful town. It's really beautiful here, with a river running through the center of town (a clean river that is). Today I spent the entire day on the Aran Islands. Well actually just one island- Inis Mor. The morning was very foggy and wet and I was worried that my day on the islands would be a bit miserable, but it turned out to be gorgeous!
I rented a bicycle and rode around to different areas of the island. One of the most reknown attractions I saw today is the Dun Aonghasa- a semi Circular Celtic Stone fort built in c.2000 B.C. It was extremely beautiful and I can't wait till I can post pictures of it! After a long day riding around in the sunshine (though not quite warm) I decided to splurge and end my time in Ireland with a guiness and fish and chips. It was fabulous!
Now I am back in Galway and need to make it to Dublin to catch my 6am flight to France! I decided that I would just go straight to the airport from Galway because by the time I actually get to a hostel in Dublin it will be time to leave to go to the airport... and that's just a waste of money! So here goes... I'm sleeping in the airport! Don't worry I'll be careful.
Unfortunately, the computer I am on right now will not allow me to upload photos because it is too slow. I guess they will have to wait till I'm in France!
Ciao!
pics! http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=2447625017/a=138185395_138185395/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
Monday, April 26, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Ireland
I spent the last few days in Dublin (pictures to come soon) where I had a fabulous time. My first night there I met two girls from Montana and we became best friends. The first day in Dublin Jackie and Danni and I went on a guided walking tour of Dublin. We also went to the Kilmainham Gaol- a very old and kind of creepy prison. After the prison tour we enjoyed beer from the Porterhouse. In the spirit of being tourists in Dublin, we decided to take part in a pub crawl. The crawl consisted of paying a set amount of money and then being taken around to different pubs by a tour guide (and getting drink discounts). It was Tuesday night so it wasn't exactly hopping... but we had a lot of fun together.
Last night in Dublin the girls and I enjoyed a Guiness at the Temple Bar and then made big pasta dinners (complete with wine). Sadly we said our goodbyes this morning. They have been stranded in Dublin for a week waiting to go back to the states and I have traveled south to Cork.
Today after a long train ride from Dublin, I arrived in Cork and promptly went to the Blarney Castle where I kissed the Blarney stone! Now I am endowed with eloquence... watch out!
Tomorrow I am going west to Killarney where I will enjoy the National Park.
I'll post some pics soon! Ta ta for now!
Last night in Dublin the girls and I enjoyed a Guiness at the Temple Bar and then made big pasta dinners (complete with wine). Sadly we said our goodbyes this morning. They have been stranded in Dublin for a week waiting to go back to the states and I have traveled south to Cork.
Today after a long train ride from Dublin, I arrived in Cork and promptly went to the Blarney Castle where I kissed the Blarney stone! Now I am endowed with eloquence... watch out!
Tomorrow I am going west to Killarney where I will enjoy the National Park.
I'll post some pics soon! Ta ta for now!
Scotland
I stayed in Edinburgh, Scotland for two nights. The main attraction in Edinburgh is the Edinburgh Castle. It was misting all morning so I didn't enjoy that (it was quite cold), but the castle was really cool and the Scottish tour guide was hillarious- though I did have to avoid being spat on when he got carried away. At the castle I saw the Scottish Crown Jewels- not really comparable to English... but still pretty.
I also went on a lovely walk in Holyrood Park where I saw amazing 360 views of Edinburgh and the surrounding area.
As my flight to Dublin was cancelled because of the volcano, I ended up taking a train to the West coast of Scotland and taking a ferry over to Belfast in Northern Ireland. It wasn't too much of a hassle (though I better get my flight refunded) but it did cost me a day of travel (and flying was cheaper). Belfast was freeeeeeeezing. I barely saw any of it because I was too cold to care.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Bath-Liverpool-Manchester-York-Newcastle
For the past week my days have involved me waking up, putting my bag in storage at my hostel, walking around the town, then hopping on a train to my next location. At the next location I ask for a map at the train station, then I walk to a hostel and ask for a bed. Then I explore. It's quite exhillarating not knowing when I'm going where or where I'll stay when I get there.
Once I left London I headed for Bath. Bath is a very cute little town with the beautiful Bath Abbey. From Bath I took a day trip to Avebury where the less famous but larger and better than Stonehenge stone circle exists. It was gorgeous! Unlike Stonehenge, you are still free to walk up to the stones and touch them. The stone circle consists of 200 stones surrounded by a massive ditch. It was constructed from 2500-2200 B.C. It was cool to be surrounded by such ancient stones. I also saw the unremarkable biggest man made hill in ancient Europe constructed in 2800 B.C.
In Liverpool I walked around and went to the Beatles museum! It was awesome to read all about their lives growing up and their success story etc.
Manchester was a little too 'big city' for me (London wore me out). I walked around and checked out the town hall. It's incredible to see these buildings from the 17th century that people work in everyday. It's also really interesting how intermixed old and new architecture is here. It actually kind of irritates me that they put new ugly buildings next to gorgeous old buildings... but I guess they have so many it's no big deal for them.
I really really enjoyed York. It's the cuteste little town. York Minster is incredibly beautiful and serene. The town of York is surrounded by an ancient Roman wall constructed in AD 71. It was lovely to walk around and enjoy the daffodils.
In Newcastle I visted my friend Ryan (Ish) who is attending medical school there. The first night we had some awesome Indian food then beat Super Mario Bros (nintendo).The next day we went out to the coast where we saw some castle ruins. After walking along the river we enjoyed a homemade dinner of salmon and pizza- an excellent combination.
more pics!
http://www1.snapfish.co.uk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=2393763017/a=138185395_138185395/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfishuk/
Once I left London I headed for Bath. Bath is a very cute little town with the beautiful Bath Abbey. From Bath I took a day trip to Avebury where the less famous but larger and better than Stonehenge stone circle exists. It was gorgeous! Unlike Stonehenge, you are still free to walk up to the stones and touch them. The stone circle consists of 200 stones surrounded by a massive ditch. It was constructed from 2500-2200 B.C. It was cool to be surrounded by such ancient stones. I also saw the unremarkable biggest man made hill in ancient Europe constructed in 2800 B.C.
In Liverpool I walked around and went to the Beatles museum! It was awesome to read all about their lives growing up and their success story etc.
Manchester was a little too 'big city' for me (London wore me out). I walked around and checked out the town hall. It's incredible to see these buildings from the 17th century that people work in everyday. It's also really interesting how intermixed old and new architecture is here. It actually kind of irritates me that they put new ugly buildings next to gorgeous old buildings... but I guess they have so many it's no big deal for them.
I really really enjoyed York. It's the cuteste little town. York Minster is incredibly beautiful and serene. The town of York is surrounded by an ancient Roman wall constructed in AD 71. It was lovely to walk around and enjoy the daffodils.
In Newcastle I visted my friend Ryan (Ish) who is attending medical school there. The first night we had some awesome Indian food then beat Super Mario Bros (nintendo).The next day we went out to the coast where we saw some castle ruins. After walking along the river we enjoyed a homemade dinner of salmon and pizza- an excellent combination.
more pics!
http://www1.snapfish.co.uk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=2393763017/a=138185395_138185395/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfishuk/
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
London- the other days
It's been awhile since I've posted and I've done quite a bit!
pictures are up! copy and paste this link into a new tab:
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=2393485017/a=138185395_138185395/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
My days in London sort of blended together so I'm going to summarize as best I can.
My 2nd and 3rd days in London are kind of a blur so I will summarize what I saw: Hyde Park (lovely and right next to my hostel), Kew Gardens (Botanic Gardens- gotta love em.. everything is blooming!), Tate Britain (art museum with lots of old art, and also modern and contemporary). I also saw St. Paul's Cathedral and maybe more! I made friends with a German girl, Jasmin and we went to dinner at the local pub- fish and chips of course. I also made friends with an Austrian boy and we saw some sights together and ate at an Italian joint near the hostel.
On Sunday I went to Cambridge and checked out where all those smart kids study in a very gorgeous setting.
My last day in London I started out by going to the Tower of London. They have great audio recordings that you can rent and wander around listening about different exhibits. I made sure to check out the Crown Jewels.. oh my gosh, so beautiful! Diamonds Diamonds Diamonds! I walked along the river gazing at the famous Tower Bridge until I ended up at The Monument. A 202ft tall tower that was constructed to commemorate the fire of 1666. After an exhausting 311 steps to the top I saw lovely views of London. Afterwards I wandered around Piccadilly Circus, Covent Gardens and Leicester Square...the busiest (at least in my opinion) areas in London and the most city-like. I also went to the Camden Market which has rows upon rows of things to buy- mainly clothes. I knew that nothing would fit in my bag so I resisted from buying anything... buy someday I plan to come back to London just to shop. Everyone dresses soooo cute here! I'm jealous of all their coats and boots. It is definitely hard walking around in jeans, tennis shoes and outdoor jackets when everyone around me looks so fashionable. I also walked around Regent's Park including Queen Mary's Garden. It was a blustery day, but quite nice still.
My 2nd and 3rd days in London are kind of a blur so I will summarize what I saw: Hyde Park (lovely and right next to my hostel), Kew Gardens (Botanic Gardens- gotta love em.. everything is blooming!), Tate Britain (art museum with lots of old art, and also modern and contemporary). I also saw St. Paul's Cathedral and maybe more! I made friends with a German girl, Jasmin and we went to dinner at the local pub- fish and chips of course. I also made friends with an Austrian boy and we saw some sights together and ate at an Italian joint near the hostel.
On Sunday I went to Cambridge and checked out where all those smart kids study in a very gorgeous setting.
My last day in London I started out by going to the Tower of London. They have great audio recordings that you can rent and wander around listening about different exhibits. I made sure to check out the Crown Jewels.. oh my gosh, so beautiful! Diamonds Diamonds Diamonds! I walked along the river gazing at the famous Tower Bridge until I ended up at The Monument. A 202ft tall tower that was constructed to commemorate the fire of 1666. After an exhausting 311 steps to the top I saw lovely views of London. Afterwards I wandered around Piccadilly Circus, Covent Gardens and Leicester Square...the busiest (at least in my opinion) areas in London and the most city-like. I also went to the Camden Market which has rows upon rows of things to buy- mainly clothes. I knew that nothing would fit in my bag so I resisted from buying anything... buy someday I plan to come back to London just to shop. Everyone dresses soooo cute here! I'm jealous of all their coats and boots. It is definitely hard walking around in jeans, tennis shoes and outdoor jackets when everyone around me looks so fashionable. I also walked around Regent's Park including Queen Mary's Garden. It was a blustery day, but quite nice still.
pictures are up! copy and paste this link into a new tab:
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=2393485017/a=138185395_138185395/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
Thursday, April 8, 2010
London- Day 1
I'm in LONDON!
After a 10 hour flight and a very confusing walk to my hostel- went the wrong direction for quite some time- 40lbs on my back.. I made it!
Today is Day 1. For you it's 9 am, for me it's 5pm.
So far today I have:
Seen Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Parliament, I toured Westminster Abbey, wandered around Green Park, St. James's Park, and Tralfalgar Square, and saw some amazing art at the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery.
At the National Gallery I saw Claude Monet's "The Water-Lily Pond" painting- it has been a favourite of mine since I was young. I also saw Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" and many other awesome historic paintings. At the National Portrait Gallery I really enjoyed looking at the paintings of English Royalty.. particularly the Queens.
This evening I am going to go to a wine bar and then for dinner I'll probably get some fish and chips (since I haven't had any "British" food yet).
Not sure what tomorrow will bring.. probably a few more museums and markets. I have 3 more days in London so I have plenty of time to see all the great tourists spots.
I am very much enjoying wandering aimlessly until I come across historic buildings, parks and museums. It's great not have an agenda or really know where I'm going.
Ta ta for now!
After a 10 hour flight and a very confusing walk to my hostel- went the wrong direction for quite some time- 40lbs on my back.. I made it!
Today is Day 1. For you it's 9 am, for me it's 5pm.
So far today I have:
Seen Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Parliament, I toured Westminster Abbey, wandered around Green Park, St. James's Park, and Tralfalgar Square, and saw some amazing art at the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery.
At the National Gallery I saw Claude Monet's "The Water-Lily Pond" painting- it has been a favourite of mine since I was young. I also saw Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" and many other awesome historic paintings. At the National Portrait Gallery I really enjoyed looking at the paintings of English Royalty.. particularly the Queens.
This evening I am going to go to a wine bar and then for dinner I'll probably get some fish and chips (since I haven't had any "British" food yet).
Not sure what tomorrow will bring.. probably a few more museums and markets. I have 3 more days in London so I have plenty of time to see all the great tourists spots.
I am very much enjoying wandering aimlessly until I come across historic buildings, parks and museums. It's great not have an agenda or really know where I'm going.
Ta ta for now!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Picture Trial
I've decided that I will post the majority of my pictures on my snapfish site and just provide the link when I upload pics.
Here's a trial run... pictures from Mom's bday!
Copy and paste this link into a new tab:
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=2344679017/a=138185395_138185395/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
let me know how it goes!
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