Saturday, August 2, 2014

Galway

Our first full day in Galway, we went out to breakfast and I discovered I'd lost all of my recently ATM'd Euros...$360 worth. Not a great start to the day.

After I had semi-gotten over it, we headed to Joyce's supermarket in Knocknacarra to get food for the house -- eggs, bacon, tomatoes, onions, and mushrooms for omelets; strawberries, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, radishes; turkey breast, white cheddar, Swiss cheese, lettuce, and sourdough for sandwiches, cream for coffee, and spring water.

It was interesting to see many American products on the shelves, but we chose Irish and locally farmed. Most produce in the groceries is from local farms here in Ireland.  The big push for organic is alive here, as well.

We have to take taxis wherever we go, since we opted not to rent a car.  They wanted $750 for five days! Maybe part of the reason for the high rates is that it is Race Week in Galway now -- horse racing and jumping on the turf and clockwise, not counter-clockwise the way our races run in the States.  We've been told by all that it is a rip-roaring good time with the rich and famous mingling with the lowly and all equal not only in stature, but also in revelry.  And people come from all over the world for Race Week!

Maybe next year.


(Click photos to enlarge.)


At the deli counter.  (Note the Kellogg's on the shelves behind.)






Not easy to carry home in a taxi -- especially since they don't give you bags here and we hadn't brought any!  Luckily, Chari bought a reusable tote and they had some boxes we could use and a strong taxi driver who picked them up and moved them for us.


Some of the headlines the day we shopped.


Chari waiting for the taxi.


Dublin Day

While in Dun Laoghaire, we had only one day to visit Dublin.  Both Chari and I will be going back, but separately when she leaves to join other friends on a tour she'd arranged before we met and when I spend a few days before leaving Ireland.

(Click on photos to enlarge.)


Trinity College area



Trinity College



I love the multinational tongues of European travel.











Silly me.  I thought this was a lingerie shop.


Temple Bar area









Oh dear, a bit o' the drink on the street (she's wise to just ignore.)























Friday, August 1, 2014

Wild Wicklow Tour
(Tour of the Wicklow Mountain National Park)


We depart from Dun Laoghaire by coach to tour the Wicklow Mountain National Park.
(Click photos to enlarge.)  


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James Joyce temporary residence.



View of Dun Laoghaire along coastline.






Beginning the journey.



Nearing our coffee break stop.



First break.













Washrooms.






Narrow road and brave cyclist!



One of several charming villages.






Entrance to Powers Estate.



Site of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman's wedding!



Slowing down for traffic.



Old fortress.








From P.S. I Love You...bridge where Holly (Hillary Swank) meets Gerry (Gerard Butler.)




Reboarding after picture shot of bridge.





Love the wandering sheep.






Start of a hiking trail in the mountains.



Whiskey toast (I passed.)



The scenery cannot be captured photographically.  You have to see it to believe it!



Lunch break.







Chari and Ashley, a young Canadian woman we spent the day with.  Lunch break.



An Irish gent with a pint o' Guinness.



Someone's transportation to the village?



We split up among three restaurants in the village for lunch and we obviously chose the wrong one.  Daniel Day Lewis, who lives in the town, was spotted at one of the others and some on our tour even chatted with him!  Our guide describes him as very low key and wanting to live out of the spotlight.  Extremely generous and kind.












After this stop, we saw a monastery, where some dude named Kevin, a mystic, lived and died, but my camera battery did, too, so no photos of that.

Note:  This tour also passed a house owned by Bono, one owned by Yanni, and a couple owned by two professional athletes (race car driver and Irish football celebs, whose names I didn't know and can't repeat.)