the turquoise trail

Red trail represents path taken, blue markers represent towns where we stayed.  {budget} My goal for this trip was $2000; knowing that was on the low side, we tried our best to be conscious of what we were spending while still enjoying the trip and seeing everything we wanted to see.  We stayed in a variety of hotels, hostels, B&B's and airbnb homes along our trip, and travelled over 2100kms.  Ireland uses Euros and Northern Ireland uses British Pounds, so to make it easier to follow I've converted everything to Canadian Dollars.    Flight: $813ea. Accommodations: $742.96 ($371.48ea) Car Rental: $727.75 ($363.88ea) Transportation (Gas, Ferry, Bus): $278.32 ($139.16ea) Attractions: $354.98 ($177.49ea) Food: $338.68 ($169.34ea) Other (Shopping): $287.20 ($143.60ea) All in all, the 11 day/9 night trip, including all spending money, cost each of us $2178.   {nutrition} The food we had in Ireland was delicious.  There are lots of options, but be prepared to spend

{Monday October 13th} We got up around 8a this morning to finish packing things up and get ready to go. We checked out of our hotel and headed to the car rental return shortly after 9a. We returned our car with no trouble and then got the shuttle to the airport. We checked in around 10a and made our way through security.  Once we were in the airport, we wandered around for a little while and found something to eat. I got a scone from Starbucks, which came with it's own mini jar of strawberry jam! So delicious. We boarded our plane shortly before 12p without any trouble. We are flying with Air Canada, on quite a large plane so thankfully we will have a little bit more space than we did on the way over.  There aren't any tvs on the seats, and I finished my book just before takeoff, but air canada has an app you can use to watch tv shows or movies on your iPhone or you can rent an iPad, which is pretty cool!  (not going to lie.. I was really starting to question how I w

{Sunday October 12th} I got up around 8:30a this morning to a lovely view of the river. I had a shower, and then enjoyed a cup of tea looking over the water in a stellar leather armchair.  Shortly, it was time to get ready and get packed up again. We went downstairs to load the car (without dropping any keys) and met Maeve around 10:30a.  From Chris's apartment, it was a short drive over to Pearl and Tommy's where we met for church this morning. We had a lovely meeting, and met a man who had travelled well across Canada as a country singer in his youth.  We stayed at Pearl and Tommy's for a delicious roast lamb dinner, complete with all the fixings. It was awesome to have some lamb!   We spent the afternoon with them and Maeve, and then headed out shortly before 4p to go to a gospel meeting about an hour south of Belfast, on our way to Dublin.  We got as far as the motorway (barely 1km), before I knew something was wrong. I pulled over to the side of the roa

{Saturday, October 11th} Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge We got up at 7:30a again this morning to get ready for the day. We had yogurt and oatmeal for breakfast at the hostel, before continuing along the Causeway Coastal Route.  Our first stop was at the Carrick-a-Rede Ripe bridge. It didn't open until 9:30a, so we waited for about 20 minutes before we were able to go in. Once we got our tickets, it was a 1km walk to the bridge. It was the first time we paid full price for tickets! We walked along the cliffs edge over to the entry of the rope bridge. It's quite high, and the rope bridge sways and jumps as you cross it, high above the sea.  Once we crossed, there was a small island we could walk around.   Carnlough From there, we continued following the coastal route around the north-east corner of Northern Ireland. We passed through several small villages, and for most of the time we were driving right on the coast.  We stopped in Carnlough for a quick wa

{Friday October 10th} We got up around 7:30a this morning again to get ready. We didn't leave the hotel until around 9a, and headed to the Lyon's department store in downtown Sligo. They have a cafe on the second level of the store which was recommended to us.   Paul ordered the traditional Irish breakfast; bacon, sausage, beans, toast, and tomato. I got French toast served with maple syrup... both were very good. After breakfast, we headed towards the Marble Arch Caves. We had a very unceremonious entry to Northern Ireland, lacking even a sign.  Marble Arch Caves We arrived at the caves shortly before 11a and were lucky enough to have a private tour.  Because of the recent rain, the water levels were too high to take the short boat ride in, but we were able to walk into the cave. The water level last week was far above our heads, so we were lucky they were opened again.  The caves are quite extensive and we went through several chambers following the path of a ri

{Thursday October 9th} Burren Perfumery We got up around 7:30a this morning to get ready to head out for the day. We left the hostel at 8:30a and headed towards the Burren. We had yogurt, apples and granola bars with us, so we had that en route for breakfast. Sheep by the roadside We got to the Burren Perfumery shortly before 10a, so we had to wait a few minutes before they opened.  Galway When they opened, they showed us a short video featuring some of the different flora that they use from around the Burren. They have several lotions, balms, essential oils and perfumes that they make onsite.  From there, it was a quick 45 minute drive into Galway. We started with a walk along the sea-side promenade. From there, we intended to go to Sheridan Cheesemongers, but it was closed so we walked around the corner to a pedestrian street and found a little sidewalk cafe serving delicious savoury crepes. After lunch, we walked down the quaint pedestrian street, a

{Wednesday October 8th} We got up around 7a for breakfast at 8a again this morning. We were served a delicious pancake breakfast with fresh fruit at our table overlooking St Finans Bay.  We left the B & B shortly before 9a, and headed around the southern part of the Ring of Kerry. We passed by Muckross House again, and decided to see if the timing for a tour would be any better today.  Ring of Kerry Sights It was, so we had a quick look around the gift shop and then began our guided tour of the house at 12p.  The house was built in 1847. We started our tour in the Victorian-era Dining room. The elaborate drapes were a gift from Queen Victoria when she visited in 1861, along with a large hand-carved, commissioned head board. The dining room table measures 6m x 2m.  All chandeliers in the house are Irish Waterford crystal, and many of tables and desks are traditional Killarney inlay furniture; they have very intricate designs inlaid in different woods. 

{Tuesday October 7} We got up around 7a this morning to get ready and have breakfast at 8a. The lady of the house here is very nice and offered us quite a selection of breakfast options. I had an apple and pear green tea (delish!), strawberry peach yogurt, and Irish soda bread with black currant jam.  We left our bed and breakfast around 9a to frosty window's and a chilly 4 degrees, and headed toward Mizen Head. We saw lots of rugged landscape, cows, and the end of the rainbow! We arrived shortly after 10a; the signal station and lookout points didn't open until 10:30a, so we walked down the road and through a field to admire the coastline. Thankfully it had warmed up to 12 and was quite nice for a walk.  Mizen Head When it opened, we bought our tickets and headed towards the signal house. We saw a couple lookouts and crossed the bridge which was extremely high. The shoreline was very steep, tall cliffs around the point and up the surrounding coastline.  W

{Monday October 6th} Got up shortly before 8a this morning to have a shower and get ready for the day.   We left the house shortly before 9a and headed into New Ross. Our first stop was at the Dunbrody Emigrant Ship.  Since the first tour was going to be in German, the guy gave us a discounted entrance fee.   We headed out to the ship and met up with another tour guide and couple doing an English tour, so we joined them and got a tour after all.  The emigrant ship was built in Quebec to carry cargo, but carried many people during the Irish potato famine. 95 percent of passengers were second class and would have spent all day - with the exception of half an hour - below deck with absolutely no light.  25 to 50 percent of passengers died on route, hence why the ships became known as coffin ships.  They had two actresses playing the parts of a first class passenger and a second class passenger, who did a great job of showing what life on the ship would have been like.  Aft