Yes I made it home...

It was a long travel day home.

After being up sick all night long with either food poisoning or a stomach flu/virus I had to board a plane and fly about 10 hours home. Yeah!
I popped some medicine and skipped breakfast at the B&B and headed out toward the Dublin Airport. It took about 20 minutes or so to get there. By that time I was familiar with the road signs and could easily navigate to the car rental drop-off area. Dropped my little Nissan off and got a refund for that stupid GPS thing that did not work and hopped on a shuttle to take me to the airport.
Check-in and security was super easy and got into an area in the airport that looked like a mall. Shopping for bags, perfumes, even had a pharmacy of sorts in there. There were people dressed in a USA t-shirt telling people about the rules so to speak of the airport. The trick was that they did US Customs there at that airport so you didn't have to do it back in the US, it saves a ton of time on your way home. So, the girl told me to stay up at the "mall" type area as long as I could, get some food, relax, etc. before I head down through Customs. Because once I head down, there's no coming back up and it's pretty much like a holding area until you board your flight. There's not a lot down there such as food, drink, etc.
Since I was still not feeling well, I got some bread and sparkling water and kicked it in one of the waiting chairs. I did reclaim my tax money back. It's this thing called VAT and you can reclaim your tax that you spent on any purchases within Ireland. It's not much but you get that money back so I did it.
Close to 11ish am I headed down to Customs. It wasn't bad at all, they make you put your carry-on through the scanner and take off your shoes and that's about it. I don't even think I went through a metal detector. I get my passport stamped and they say, "Welcome Home." OK - well technically I'm still in Ireland, but oh well.
I wait in the "waiting area," and then not too much later I board my plane. I sat on the isle, but no one sat next to me, so I later moved to the window seat. Yes with that long of a flight they serve you dinner and then later before you land a small breakfast of sorts.
My flight was really long, I slept on/off through most of it and the rest of the time I was sneezing and blowing my nose. I couldn't tell if it was something on the plane that was making me sick or if I really had the flu.
Since I had already gone through Customs at the Ireland airport when we landed I just picked up my bag and headed outside for the shuttle to pick me up. Now the shuttle was going to pick me up and 6pm thinking that I had to go through Customs in SF, but they said they could pick me up at 4pm because my plane landed at 3:20pm. I emailed them when I was in Dublin and told them about Customs at the Dublin Airport and said to pick me up earlier. I tried calling them several times after I landed saying I was ready, to no avail. I couldn't get through to anyone. I figured there's no one there. It's Sunday and Easter Sunday too so I'll just have to wait. So, here I am sick and so ready to get home that I just wait where the shuttles pull up until 6pm. Ugh!
What I didn't know and now know for future use is that the shuttle picks you up at the airport (SFO), then goes to the San Jose airport to pick more people up. Then stops in Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz, and finally Aptos to drop people off. Since I was the last and only person in Aptos, I asked to be dropped off at home. The driver accommodated me, but said it was a lot further away than the drop spot. It's what a mile extra.  I gave him a tip, got out and slowly made my way inside.
I was literally sick and tired! So after all that I did make it home safe and sound.
I went to bed not too long after and so happy that I had Monday off so I could recoup. I feel good now, still tired and my sleeping schedule has been a bit off but overall doing well. Not sick anymore, and glad to be home.
:)

It's a good day for a...

GUINNESS!!

Left this morning from Galway after breakfast. Straight shot from Galway to Dublin, M6 to M4 freeway. Speed limit 120km. Not to busy. You could drive 140 and be fine. 

I decided just to go straight to the Guinness Storehouse. It took me about 2 hrs. to get there. 

They say not to drive in Dublin but I figured I've driven all over Ireland what's the big deal about driving in the city. No biggie. 

Made it to the storehouse and went in for a self-guided tour. That place is huge! 

With the purchase of your ticket you can either go up to the Gravity bar and get a free pint or you can try your hand at the perfect pour and get a certificate and drink your pint you poured. I did the pouring. 

Nice!

I was there for at least 3 hours or so then hoped my car was still parked where it was. Yes! It didn't get towed or ticketed. 

Drove through the city to a town called Howth(like boat but hoat) it's about 20 minutes away on the bay. 

Went to the B&B then went to town and ate at the Bloody Stream pub. 

Had shrimp scampi & a pint of Guinness. It was more like fish and chips but with shrimp. 

I met a nice family who were there for dinner too, from the area. Good dinner & good conversation. 

Now back at the B&B Azure. 

There's some really neat doors around Ireland. 

:) good day! Now off to packing before I head out in the morning. Can't believe the week is over. 

Good Friday

Also known as Black Friday here in Ireland. No not the biggest shopping day of the year, but a dry day - no alcohol is served or sold. 

I however didn't care and still had another great day day. I had breakfast at the B&B then decided to take a trip up the Connemara coast. Drove up the N59 to Kylemore Abbey & Gardens. Took some pics on the way up and around the Abbey. I didn't go in as tickets were 13 euros. 

I love all the sheep & the baby lambs. They are all over the place. I think they say there are more sheep on Ireland than people. 

Continued up the road and the house people here said to take the Sky Road Loop. I saw it before I got to Clifden and it took about an hour 1/2. However I stopped at the top and enjoyed the gorgeous view. I'm sure I was up at the top for at least an hour. 

There were people paragliding too. I got pictures of the guy doing it, John and met his wife Therese(pronounced Trays). She bought him this deal to go paragliding for his 50th birthday. It was a rocky take off but ended up circling around for awhile. The couple live in Galway. 

Coming off the loop I entered into Clifden and had a late lunch. Had an open faced fresh Dunloughan crab meat sandwich on Irish soda bread. So good!

After lunch started heading back to Galway. I decided to take a trip to Roundstone. It's a small, almost one lane road into town and then has a few beaches beyond such as Gurteen Bay. 

Look my car is here but European plates!

This side trip took a bit longer than expected, but it's ok. The scenery is worth it. 

Back to Galway, I needed something to eat & a coffee. Decided to try pizza in Ireland. Why not?

Ham & mushroom 

Here's a pic of the harbor in Galway. 

Came back to the B&B. My neck & shoulders are sore from driving a lot. I got some sort of Irish "icy hot" and ice from the house family. Then Marie gave me a heating pad to take to bed. I forgot his name:

It's filled w/ hot water. Ha ha

I can't believe my vaca is dwindling down. Tomorrow I head back towards Dublin. Staying in Howth. All I want to do is make it to the Guinness Storehouse and then I'll be set. 

xoxo

Best day!

I think today was one of my best days!

It was sad to leave Acara B&B as the lady of the house Carmel was so nice. We often chatted after breakfast. Here she is below with Sergi, she was taking care of him for her sister. 

While still in Killarney, I went to Ross Castle. Finally I hit up a castle and took a tour. No pics of inside as they weren't allowed, but here's what it looks like. 

Lake near the castle. 

I then drove to Tralee, then to Tarbert where I took a ferry to the other side of the River Shannon. First time I've been on a ferry where you drive onto it. Kind of neat. Ferry was only about 20 minutes. 

Not such a good pic of me, but it was super windy & cold. 

I met some nice "tourists" too from the US. Jeremy from Shreveport & Barbara & Dave from Nashville. They were headed the same way I was. 

Once off the ferry, continued to Kilrush and then up the N67 to Cliffs of Moher. 

It's funny driving these roads, you start yelling at people who are scared to drive. The lane does hold the size of your car, they're just narrow roads! :)

Made it to Cliffs of Moher. The weather changed a bit today. Cloudy and windy and cold! I bundled up and trekked up these paths to see some amazing cliffs. 

Funny thing I saw those same "tourists" I mentioned earlier. We took some pics together too, but those are on my other camera. I have so many more pics. 

I didn't even make it to the other side of the cliffs as I needed to head to Galway. It was already 5:30 or so and it's supposed to take 1 1/2 hours. I should have stayed in Doolin for a night just to be able to have more time. 

The road to Galway was beautiful. The green fields and rock walls just like you see in the movies. I did take some while driving and yes, on the opposite side of the road. 

Here's one you can see at the left of the car. 

Ok not bad. 

By the time I made it to Galway I was starved! The B&B is nice but too far away to walk downtown. I drove to the city centre. Now this is a city, because Google Maps had me all over the place. Lots of roads & one ways. Found a parking spot - Amazing! Decided to eat at a restaurant called McSwiggins. 

I hate to say this but a lot of the towns are the same. Different restaurants and a lot of pubs. A guy said today, drinking Guinness makes you feel single and see double.  That's pretty funny.

They are all painted in different colors. Kind of reminds be of Brekenridge, CO. If you've ever been there, you know what I mean. 

Ok not sure why that store is called that. But look at the colors of the buildings. 

Back to Galway. Galway does have great music. I'm at an Irish restaurant, McSwiggins, and they have a great blues band playing downstairs. It's nice. 

Just had a wonderful meal here. Pan seared monkfish w/ garlic cream sauce and rice. Probably one of the best dishes I've had in Ireland. It was so delish!

I had to continue the meal w/ dessert. Chocolate fondant w/ vanilla ice cream & fresh cream. Of course w/ some decaf coffee. Oh my gosh, heaven! 

I feel like such a grown up eating a full meal. Salad, dinner & dessert! :)

Off to bed now. Not sure what tomorrow holds. It would be nice to just take some actual pictures of the land vs. out my car window. 

Ring of Kerry

Took a bus tour today from 10:30am till 5pm or so. I'm glad I did the tour because I could relax and not worry about driving, plus I could hear stories about the history of Ireland. 

I took a ton of pics, but I'll just post some so you can get an idea!

Some of them have a glare as I took it out the bus window. 

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Thx-

A

Road to ?

Leaving Kinsale I thought I need to find a petrol station as the route I wanted to take along the coast seemed long and desolate. I drive aways in one direction to find myself pretty much in the middle of Ireland with no sure towns in site. I decide that it would be best to backtrack to Kinsale and I might have to go back to the freeway area to find gas. Aways the opposite direction but in dire need of petrol. I go through town, kind of freaking out that I'm going to be stuck in this little town and low and behold there it is - Petrol! Yay! Fill up, 55 euros or so and head back the way I came. 

Whew! Now that that's done I can take the scenic coastal route to Kenmare. I set my gps on Google Maps but want to take the road I was on earlier, so I just let it redirect the route. Took some lovely pictures on the coast. I found a beach too. Not sure exactly where I was or what the name of the beach was. 

I just followed the road to Kilbrittain. I'm not sure I think it was the R600 to R603 roads. My gps said to make a right to Bandon and as I later learned this was the "old road." There was a newer road made to take you to Bandon. Anyway, it was an old farm road. Several farms, lots of cows, tractors, and pretty much a one lane road. I did see really nice houses on the road, so at least people did live out there and I crossed paths with other cars. They were coming from somewhere. Yes I thought about turning around but like I said before, there's really no place to do that. I just went with it!

I did end up in Bandon. Then with a time restraint of getting to my B&B in Kellarney before 3:00pm I decided just to head there and forget Kenmare. 

It's funny how sometimes you're on a highway of sorts going 100km and the next your in a small town with narrow roads. I went through a town called Macroom. It looked like a small Medieval town, but there again, no where to pull off to take pictures. I did a lot of pictures out the window w/ my iPhone. 

See like this- it would have been nice to get that clear! You can imagine it though. 

Then the road turned nicer through a few more little towns to where I think it was considered a highway. N22 to Killarney. 

There's sheep in this one!

I made it to Killarney before 3:00pm to Acara B&B. Carmel is the woman who's place it is. Very nice woman. She had to leave to take her sister to the airport in Cork. I in turn went into the town, walked around and ended up eating dinner at Murphy's Bar. I had the traditional Irish stew - it was beef & Guinness stew. Yum!

So good! 

Met a couple from Germany, Diana & Dominic and talked to them throughout our meal. They spoke very good English. Didn't sound German. 

Later on in the evening I went to the Grand bar and they had traditional Irish music. I had a seat at the bar, but tho lace got packed. Very good music. 

Met some people from Ireland, UK, and of course California. 2 ladies from Nipomo. Small world. 

This guy was crackin' us up telling Irish stories. 

Funny guys. Back at B&B. Time for bed. 

Tomorrow I'm going to do the Ring of Kerry. Not sure if I'm going to drive myself or take a tour. We shall see!