Doonmacfelim House Doolin

Due to a number of reasons, my travel plans have changed.<br><br>Now, I will be leaving on November 10th, to arrive in Delhi.<br>I'll spend 4 weeks in India then fly from Chennai to Singapore on December 8th.<br><br>I will travel overland through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore and China, then fly out of Hong Kong to Perth on March 11th.<br> <br>I will send 7 weeks high-tailing it through Australia before leaving from Brisbane to go to New Zealand on ...

... to the highest edge. <br><br>Of course, our group would be determined to cross this edge and we marched our way along the Atlantic in a way that I have never walked the shore before. The boys were more determined to hike further, so us girls stayed behind to capture the moment. Little did we know they had bigger plans to depants and show the world. I guess it was for the best we stayed back. <br><br>Galway was a different ...

... Breakfast everywhere in this overly expensive country is 10 euros alone, so why not get the mini luxury of a B and B, privacy, cleanliness, and hospitality and catering...all for in reality, 10 euros! We went to the first place we saw, got a price, and bartered the sweet old man down 10 euros each. Beautiful breakfast in the morning included. <br><br>So it wouldnt be a normal day if we didnt get lost for minimum an hour in Ireland ...

... at 10, when they needed to check out. It was an interesting morning. After breakfast, we decided that we really had nothing we needed to do before going to the airport, so we headed out to go walk around, and shop. Nothing too exciting. It rained....because it just wouldn't have been Ireland without a little rain before we left. We got subs on the way back, and caught the bus to the airport at 2. Everything ended up going smoothly in ...

... up was the castle, we only had a quick photo op and didnt get to really venture inside. I was kind of dissapointed by this because I really love castles and wanted to explore, but the show must go on, so we all climed back into the bus and set off the the Aillwee caves. This cave was formed by glacial melt waters from an early ice age period, but the river that created it has since dissapeared and left "Ireland's premier showcave". A man named Jack ...

... at the Ashbrook anyway. We really liked the host, Olwyn and we were sure the water would come back in time for our morning showers. The Ashbrook is a very pretty new home that is charmingly decorated, has comfortable beds and a very sweet host. The front bedrooms had a beautiful panoramic view of the village and the bay.<br><br>The music at Gus O'Connors was great. We kept moving around until we had great seats. A group of locals ...

... us around a mountain on his property and told us all about the flora, fauna, farming practices, history, and archeology. Although it looks almost like solid rock on the hills, once you're up there, it is surprisingly covered in green and brush. The farmers allow the upper hills to grow all summer and them move their livestock to the high grounds for the winter (the only place on earth to do this). The limestone retains the heat and allows the ...

After another Irish cooked breakfast, we headed off towards the Killarney National Park. Only a couple of Kms in, we found Muckross House - an old home built in 1643. But it was more like a castle. It was set up as it would have been in the 1860s & it was really good. The family that lived there even had a visit from Queen Victoria - they planned & prepared for five years ... and she was there ...

... I have been able to do and friends I have made... Here is a picture of me with my new best friend. I met him when ...

... windows cut into the wall. It's very dark, kind of wet, and extremely narrow. This must have been what castles were really like before electricity.<br><br>The castle had posted hours of 10 a.m to 4:30 p.m. But, we stopped there the next day to hit the gift shop at 5 p.m. and it was still open. So, it might pay to make a visit even if you think it will be closed.<br><br>Also, take a look at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul across the street from the castle. I didn't go ...