Ireland - The Emerald Isle (Part 2)

Hey so I am back with the much-awaited (!?) part deux of my trip to the Emerald Isle. If you missed reading the part one, you can do that here. The trip to Cliffs of Moher was on the later half of my one-day trip around the Irish countryside. After lunching at a pub in the cute little village of Doolin, we headed down to these magnificent nature-made structures.

The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland's number 1 tourist attraction (so the tour guide informed us). Most recently, they were in the news for their appearance in the Harry Potter movies. One of the scenes from the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was filmed right here at the Cliffs. So there you go, a little movie trivia made this place even more exciting for me to visit!

Castle ruins while driving around the scenic villages near Galway. Well, come to think of it, once a King and His Queen really lived in here...

 

The majestic cliffs of Moher overlooking the beautiful blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The cliffs are around 200 mt (702ft.) in height and you can walk along the length of the cliffs.

The skies around Dublin and almost over all the Ireland are always cloudy. It rains a lot there, thanks to the currents from the Atlantic Ocean..

This is a stone round structure called the O'Brien's Tower. It was primarily used as a watchtower in the olden days.

Got some incredible views of the dark blue waters from the cliffs

You can actually sit by the edge of the cliffs, that was quite dangerous but nevertheless exciting. They have absolutely no fencing along the 8km long walkway. 

Yep, that's me..a couple of years back :)

Enjoying the stunning views of the Atlantic and the Aran Islands

Drove by the Coast Road back to Galway and stopped at Connemara to walk on this lunar like landscape of the Burren

my Galway Tour companion

Cute little sheep

Did you spot the Leprechaun Head right in the rocks?

 Time to fly back home...it was a pleasure flying Aer Lingus!

 Well, well! While flying over Greenland, the captain announced that owing to clear skies (which is very rare) we were presented with stunning views of the snow-capped mountains. It was one of the breath-taking things I have ever seen..almost like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

So, there was my truly magical day out in typical Irish countryside. I have to admit it was kinda odd being a lone traveler...I surely missed my hubs back in the States. Next time, hopefully, the two of us make it out to this beautiful country. 

Anyhow, I would highly recommend visiting Ireland and get to know the Gaelic culture and the happy-go-lucky people out here!

Ireland - The Emerald Isle (Part 1)

Thanks to laptop issues and travels, I missed blogging for a quite some days now. I wanted to get this post going in the first week of August to celebrate the two year anniversary of my trip to Ireland. But better late than never, right :)

I was on a week-long trip to our office in Galway, based off the western coast of Ireland. Sight-seeing seemed pretty tough given the tight schedule, but nonetheless, the avid traveler in me had decided to make the most out of the weekends I would be there. I had looked up bus tours and since decided to go with a day tour with the Galway Tour Company. 

I landed on a saturday morning at the Shannon airport (direct flight from Boston, thank god for that!) and after a two hour bus journey reached my hotel in Galway afternoon-ish. I was delighted when I found out that it was quite centrally located; walkable distance from the bus station (lugging the baggage was an easier task now). After freshening up and a healthy lunch, I walked the main streets in Galway. Though it was the first week in August (which is a pretty glaring in the US), it was windy and cool there and I had my jacket on me all the times. In Ireland it pretty much rains all the time and anytime, so a a rain-jacket is highly recommended during your stay. 

The city layout was typical European; walking streets laden with shops, cute boutiques, restaurants, and of course Irish pubs, people drinking beers, merry-making and of course good-looking Irish lads (ahem ahem). I am glad I took the stroll out on a Saturday; I got to experience the true Irish spirit! My pit stops for sure included a shack serving fresh fish and chips and a cutsey bakery to taste the yummy goodiness. Looking at the pubs, I for sure longed for company to step in and gulp down a pint, but guess that had to be for some other time.

Sunday was reserved for the day long bus tour with the Galway Bus Company.The tour started at 9 in the morning from the Galway bus-stop and took us through the Irish countryside to Kilfenora, the village of Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher, Ballyvaughn. Must say, it was kinda weird traveling alone. So without further adieu, presenting you my pictorial travelogue..

 

First stop was the grassy lands and the historic structures at Poulnabrone dolmen in the Burren. 
It's a portal tomb dating back to the Neolithic age!

The limestone rock formations

Pretty greenery and cloudy skies - a common sight in Ireland

Directions in English and Irish language - Gaelic

Spotted this magnificent beast in the perfect backdrop of Burren. A stunning visual to experience for sure!

The Burren is home to 75% of Ireland's native flora and location of numerous ancient monuments like the Dolmen (in the pic above) and the Ballyalban Fairy Fort - home of little men with green hats and orange beards!

Famous Celtic Crosses aka Irish High Crosses at Kilfenora

 

My tour companions - our cute bus driver and his little friends 

 

Glimpses of the coastal village of Doolin. We lunched at the Gus O'Connor's, a traditional Irish pub

 

An Irish woman was strumming the Celtic Harp at one of the tourist spots in the Irish countryside. The scenery, the music and the ambiance..it was all simply magical! My trip would have been surely incomplete without this musical experience.

Irish countryside is simply breathtaking to say the least!

 

The ubiquitous 'Chicken Tikka Masla' and chips (aka french fries). This dish is served in almost every Irish pub.

I was happy when I saw it on the menu - not so much when I tasted it. We always crave for something homey and comforting after a long day at work, don't we :)

 

My antics at the 'Hat shop'..I guess I should have bought one! 

Doesn't it look stunning - of course ignoring my tired-and-end-of-long-day eyes that is!

 An 

old castle in ruins

Cute row houses in the city

Stay tuned for the part 2 of this travelogue to Cliffs of Moher (Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was filmed here) with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, views of Connemara and the Burren landscape including the huge Leprechaun Head carved in the rocks.