September 7

We woke up from our favorite night yet and went down for a traditional Irish breakfast buffet with beans, black and white pudding and all the testimonial breakfast items.
We then started our journey on the Atlantic Way for Amanda’s birthday surprise! We travelled for a distance and then stopped at Glenniff Horseshoe with massive u shaped glacier hollow which left behind staggering cliffs. There are ruins from an old mill from the mining done. There is also Benwiskin Mountain which frames the area. . The passing glaciers sculpted the limestone peak into a dramatic, curved ridge that looks exactly like a giant, forever-frozen ocean wave about to crash over the valley.
After this stop we continued until we arrived at St Columbas church of Ireland which opened in 1809 and has a cemetery surrounding the church. The earliest gaffe we found was from 1845. The famous poet JB Yeats Is buried directly outside the church’s main doors. The church is stunning and it felt very peaceful to stop here. The stained glass work was intricate and beautiful. Natasha put a prayer in the prayer box here. It was intriguing to see the levels of wealth displayed in the way the graves were presented, full encased, with iron fencing around them hem, and with stunning masterful headstones and stone statues.
We continued on our way to Amanda’s surprise destination. We arrived and got in the elevator where were able to keep it a secret until we got off onto the floor with the spa!
We purchased the mastery bathing caps and went into the thermal suites. We looked like were auditioning for the awkward Olympic synchronized swimming team (just missing the nose pieces).
The thermal suites had a pool, a hot tub, a steam room, an ice shower, and a hot rock sauna. We spent an hour together here and Sarah spent extra time in the steam room to help with her congestion.
After an hour, Amanda left for her cocoon treatment (her birthday treat from us) and Natasha and Sarah found a cute cafe to have a warm drink in.
After Amanda finished her treatment, which she said was so lovely, we went to the hotel.
We arrived at Nevins Inn and we were greeted with a greeted by the most lovely family. Our room key was an old skeleton key and the room was beautiful with a stunning ocean view: it was our favorite room yet. We got ready and went down to supper reservations.
The restaurant was adorable and the staff were so friendly. They had Bertie and Bella robots who sang country music and delivered our food. It was delicious and very generous portions. We then ordered dessert and Bella brought it out singing happy birthday. It was a great meal!
We then decided to go explore the beach for sunset. It was windy and cold but so pretty and peaceful. Amanda’s grandkids called her for her birthday so Sarah and Natasha walked along the water and enjoyed the first sunset of the trip.
After arriving back at the hotel we went to the pub for live music and quickly left after Sarah tried her first Guinness (disgusting) the live music was an old man singing to prerecorded music and awkwardly strumming his guitar not in time with the music. We retired to our room earlier then expected but we had to go early for our next adventure day to the island of Aran. Our whole goal for today was to make Amanda feel loved and spoiled and we hope we were able to do that!

(Amanda): My lovely friends treated me like a queen today. I had no idea what they had planned until we arrived. A posh spa where all three of us indulged in a thermal spa and then I was whisked away for a Cocoon Treatment! I had no clue what this meant but I bloody loved the entire experience. It started with funny synchronized swimming caps, and we went in and out of the steam room, sauna, pool, hot tub, and used an ice bath - less bath, more a mountain of ice chips that you helped yourself too and rubbed them over your body to cool down before returning to sauna or steam. Then I was taken to a treatment room for a full body exfoliation, shower, head massage, mini facial and thorough fancy moisturize (she told me I was exceptionally dry). I was wrapped in muslin cloths while I had a gentle shoulder and head massage, then told to shower prior my moisturizer. I was fully treated to an exceptional experience by 2 perfect friends who knew exactly how to make me feel special - I went to bed feeling loved.Read more