Royal Hotel Arklow

... an hour 45 minutes. Lucky me!!!

The night ended for me pretty much on the couch where I passed out at 4 am in the middle of a conversation. I was graciously moved to a single bed though after ‘drunkest’ guy had to get up and catch a flight back to New Jersey. That was hilarious from what I can vaguely remember. The guy could barely walk and was supposed to get through international airport security….that would have been a scene! As for the morning ...

... 8230;free shots!! And see a couple other places.). Becky, Teresa, and I caught a train to a smaller town outside of Dublin called Greystones. It’s really cute coastal town in Wicklow County, and has beautiful scenery. I’d love to live here. It just so happened that today is a kind of street-festival with lots of free food! Imagine quaint streets full of children, steaming food, doors thrown open with delicious smells wafting out ...

... of diving * to andy, bex and esp ehsan for transporting me safely through pakistan (and ehsan especial thanks for letting me drive your jeep on the KKH!) * to mike for accommpanying us safely around china & organising breakfrast (though i still think your thoughts on some things are outrageous!!) * to paul, paula & brian, shane, stormi & cora for putting me up in your respective houses/apts - it ...

... his wife called it an early night, joined me in the bar for some cider and Irish folk music. We met a several real characters down there, believe me. The next night I met a great couple who were staying in my room. Rebbecca, a Swede working in Cork, and Simon, an Irishman trapped inside a Dutchman's body. He kept on saying that he feels at much at home in Ireland as he does in Holland, much due to his passionate love for the Guinness. It wasn ...

... but do-able - and freezing! I opted to keep my boots on - they were soaking from falling in to numerous bog holes anyway. We all crossed ok and got back up to the road where the car was waiting. Not that that was the end of it - we then had to strip every stitch off us in the middle of the road and put on dry clothes which we had (thankfully) left in the car. A lovely walk but a great reminder of how fickle Irish weather can be...

... became more of a mad dash rather than a meander around the reconstructed round tower, stone house and remains of the ancient gatehouse and cathedral.

The theme of being re-acquainted over the course of the day continued as we entered our last evening in the country by meeting up and having dinner with Angela from my Scandi-Russia trip the summer before, and Nanna and Amber got re-acquainted with their Irish Coffees for the last time.

... meeting tractors and other slower vehicles along the narrow and bendy country roads, but never seeming to pick the right direction to travel in. Eventually, with it getting close to dark and the petrol tank getting alarmingly close to empty, I had no choice but to give up. This was not an easy call to make but I think my passengers were relieved I’d finally swallowed my pride. Nanna was dead silent in the backseat and Amber had long since ...

... onto Nepal. After taking in the splendour of the Himalayas and the 3 week trek to Everest base camp it'll be onto Tibet. All this will be done in true frugal spirit, defying the Tibetan authorities' attempts to bleed me dry of money. I've heard that'll be a challenge. Tibet will be followed by North West China and braving the dropping temperatures I'll make my way back to South Korea again for January and a month of work ...

... genuinely care will number one person - you. The reason being is because, and make no mistake, the vast majority of people couldn't care less where you've been or what you've seen over the last year, or however long you've been away. You'll ...

... like water, basically giving it away, or giving it to people for crazy reasons. We went to the chinese restaurant (which his cousins had never been to, seemed more for tourists than for residents) and paid them double, not to mention tipping them an extra £20 if they would leave an ice box full of water outside the door so I could throw it over him when we left as a joke. We made crazy bets with people, and bet on stupid pranks. It was hilarious, no worries or cares. The police ...