Ireland

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Day 76
Friday, November 18, 2016 at 5:15 PM
⛅ 11 °C
Altitude: 137 m
Slovakia Vrakuňa 48.136436, 17.21635648°8’11” N 17°12’59” E
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Christmas market preparation
November 18, 2016 in Slovakia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
Yesterday was a holiday marking the day of freedom from Communism November 17th, 1989. We walked the squares for four hours and went to two museums and the candy shop. The night before Milka took us to the Beer Museum pub. It was great, non smoking, home crafted beers and the beermeister was pouring. So much fun. There was a band from Ohio playing next door. The huge Christmas trees were being decorated in the squares and the stands were being set up as well as the stage for musical entertainment every night.Read more
youonlylivetwice Honey lager and dark stout at the Museum pub
11/18/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Christmas market prep at Hlavne namestie (Main Square).
11/18/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Brewing vats at the Museum Pub
11/18/16Reply
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Day 78
Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 11:32 AM
⛅ 10 °C
Altitude: 135 m
Slovakia Vrakuňa 48.136101, 17.21667148°8’10” N 17°13’0” E
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Bunny love & rainy Christmas market
November 20, 2016 in Slovakia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Look at the cutie pie I've got in my hands. Gave Milka a helping hand in feeding her as she wasn't eating -Little Muffin. Went to the market in the pouring rain but it was great. Had a langos which was deep fried and covered in hot garlic. Slovak delicacy washed down with hot mulled wine -yum and yum. More pork on the spit and an excellent variety of home made Slovak food. Musicians in the square every night.Read more
youonlylivetwice More pork!
11/20/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Christmas tree in the main square
11/20/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Bunny love with Muffin
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Day 81
Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 9:12 AM
⛅ 7 °C
Altitude: 190 m
Austria St. Stephen's Cathedral 48.209206, 16.37277848°12’33” N 16°22’22” E
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Catching up
November 23, 2016 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
Yesterday I met up Yichun the young girl I met in Brno and we had coffee in town and caught up on our travels. Told her I was heading to Vienna today and she is heading to Wales for a week in December. She invited me to come visit her in Taiwan in February. After I spent the rest of the day in town touring around spending my time alone on the city enjoying the market and the sun shine. Had a glass of mulled wine and met my waiter that I had at the Matysak winery tasting and caught up with him. He recognized me right away and told me how happy he was to have had me as a guest. So sweet! Their mulled wine was delicious. They were setting up the skating rink in the square and it will be open this weekend. It's so warm I'm not sure how people are going to skate. I heard today that little Muffin passed away. So sad, she was such a beautiful little bunny.Read more
youonlylivetwice Lambs at the market
11/23/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Life size hand carved nativity scene at the market
11/23/16Reply
youonlylivetwice The Alchemist school
11/23/16Reply
youonlylivetwice The sewer worker
11/23/16Reply
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Day 82
Thursday, November 24, 2016 at 11:20 AM
☁️ 6 °C
Altitude: 138 m
Slovakia Vinohrady 48.163822, 17.12675148°9’50” N 17°7’36” E
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Vienna day trip!
November 24, 2016 in Slovakia ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C
Today we took the bus to Vienna and we were in the centre by 10:30 am. Found the Christmas markets right away. We walked around for 4 hours, browsed, ate sweet desserts and drank hot mulled wine. I have to say the Slovak market was much better for traditional home cooking, baking, and mulled wine-the atmosphere was also better and far less expensive than Vienna. We went to a few luxury boutiques, Swarovski crystal and saw a few sights. Vienna is truly tourist driven.Read more
youonlylivetwice Gingerbread everywhere
11/24/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Christmas market at Rasthaus
11/24/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Outdoor skating rink at the market
11/25/16Reply
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Day 83
Friday, November 25, 2016 at 7:34 AM
🌫 6 °C
Altitude: 190 m
Austria St. Stephen's Cathedral 48.209206, 16.37277848°12’33” N 16°22’22” E
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Vienna ...continued
November 25, 2016 in Austria ⋅ 🌫 6 °C
There are so many sites to see in Vienna and I have always been impressed with the architecture. This is my 5th trip to the city but somehow it seemed too commercialized this time around. We found some great passageways off the beating track with some interesting little shops.Read more
youonlylivetwice St. Stephens Cathedral and market
11/25/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Beautifully polished carriages
11/25/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Interesting statues at the entrance to the Hofburg
11/25/16Reply
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Day 83
Friday, November 25, 2016 at 1:07 PM
☁️ 8 °C
Altitude: 137 m
Slovakia Vrakuňa 48.136257, 17.21603648°8’11” N 17°12’58” E
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Danubia gallery of modern art
November 25, 2016 in Slovakia ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Yesterday I dragged my aunt Bobena out for a 12 hour day. We went to the school of beauty where she knows some instructors. We went for lunch at the market and then headed to Cunovo to the gallery of modern art. It was right on the Danube and beautiful. We spent two hours at the gallery and I had a chance to talk to the curator. We headed off to my aunt Anna's after for a visit and glass of wine.Read more
youonlylivetwice 2017 BMW -138,000 euros -modern art
11/25/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Golden fish-Slovak artist - Ivan Pavle
11/25/16Reply
youonlylivetwice The last supper (the supper of the idols)-Can you name them all?
11/25/16Reply
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Day 85
Sunday, November 27, 2016 at 11:16 AM
⛅ 9 °C
Altitude: 134 m
Slovakia Železničná Stanica Biskupice pri Dunaji 48.135715, 17.21649648°8’9” N 17°12’59” E
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Bratislava Forest trek
November 27, 2016 in Slovakia ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
The weather is changing back to cold again so we took advantage of a beautiful day and went for a hike in the forest. We walked four kilometres and then had lunch. There was a tbar at the top of the forest we were going to take to go up to the top. We decided we were going to go today. The forest was lush and busy with locals. This was my first time there. It was beautiful. For lunch I had the best ever perogies filled with sheep feta. There are wild boars that live in this forest.Read more
youonlylivetwice Mountain drinking water
11/27/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Zelezna studnicka(Iron well) over 250 years old
11/27/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Interesting playground item for children to play with in the park
11/27/16Reply
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Day 87
Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 7:00 AM
🌙 -2 °C
Altitude: 137 m
Slovakia Vrakuňa 48.136341, 17.21635248°8’11” N 17°12’59” E
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Evening market at the Bratislava castle
November 29, 2016 in Slovakia ⋅ 🌙 -2 °C
Found out that there was a market at the Bratislava castle and so Martina and I met up and went to check it out. It was brisk and it started to snow lightly. There was a nativity scene set up in the courtyard with live sheep, goat and cute brown donkey. The sheep were super friendly. We walked down into the lower square later and went for a chocolate cappucino in a lovely little cafe called Mondieu. It had real 80% melted dark chocolate melted on the bottom-decadent!Read more
youonlylivetwice Nativity scene through the main gates of the castle
11/29/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Nativity animals-the sheep were super friendly
11/29/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Just around the corner is the cafe Mondieu
11/29/16Reply
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Day 89
Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 8:13 AM
☁️ 1 °C
Altitude: 137 m
Slovakia Vrakuňa 48.136349, 17.21650148°8’11” N 17°12’59” E
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Cultural nights
December 1, 2016 in Slovakia ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C
Tuesday night I went to the Chamber orchestra at the school of music. The musical pieces celebrated 250 years of Wolfgang Mozart and Joseph Hayden. My favourite piece was Mozart Divertimento F dur, KV 138 -Presto. The violins were incredible in this piece. Wednesday night we went to the National Theatre and saw Giselle (happens to be my middle name). Words can't describe the feeling I had when I walked in-my dream realized. The ballet was magnificent with a beautiful stage, wonderful dancers and full orchestra. Pictures were not allowed. At set change we had a glass of prosecco in the lower foyer. The ballet finished with ten full minutes of applause.Read more
youonlylivetwice Sooo exciting!
12/1/16Reply
Ontheroadagain I bet it was wonderful. So happy for you!
12/1/16Reply
youonlylivetwice My seat for the ballet
12/2/16Reply
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Day 89
Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 11:02 AM
⛅ 3 °C
Altitude: 172 m
Slovakia Bratislava hlavná stanica 48.159235, 17.10669548°9’33” N 17°6’24” E
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Topol'cany
December 1, 2016 in Slovakia ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C
Set out his snowy morning to go visit my uncle in Topol'cany before I head back to Ireland on the 6th. The train ride was under 2 hrs and relaxing. I'll be going to the cemetery to visit my father's family plot. Uncle Tomas and Drahoslava met me at the train and then took me for lunch. We walked through the cold winter rain after lunch to the cemetery. I lit a candle for my father and had my silent time. We spent the rest of the night talking and my uncle told me some funny stories about his life and my fathers growing up. The town is so beautiful from where my father grew up. I always feel really good here. After breakfast they saw me off at the train station. It was hard to say goodbye. Uncle Tomas will be 80 in March and I sure hope I can see him again.Read more
youonlylivetwice Topol'cany-town square
12/2/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Nativity at the church in the town square- the centre was impeccably clean
12/2/16Reply
youonlylivetwice My uncle Tomas and aunt Drahoslava. He still walks two hours a day!
12/2/16Reply
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Day 92
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 10:27 PM
🌙 -3 °C
Altitude: 137 m
Slovakia Vrakuňa 48.136269, 17.21638548°8’11” N 17°12’59” E
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Winding up in Bratislava
December 4, 2016 in Slovakia ⋅ 🌙 -3 °C
Last minute goodbyes, trips, family meetings and celebrations before I head off in two days. Yesterday I met with my godmother and cousins and caught up for 7 hours. Lots of laughs. Hit the market and the Havana club after with over exposure to cigarette smoke that made me absolutely sick to my stomache. The club was great for music but the smoking killed me. Had to have a shower when I got home and put my coat and purse on the balcony overnight. Got the last of the hot water and found out later on the morning the hot water is turned off at night. Lucky me! In the morning my lungs hurt and I changed my program to a long walk in the forest so I could clear my lungs. My aunt didn't want to go because it was too cold. We went anyway and when we got to the top there was the bobsled track and tbar. We took the tbar down, walked for another 2 km and then took the bus back to town. We went to Wagners cake shop and had a fabulous desert and coffee. Last day tomorrow and am ready for my next leg back to Ireland.Read more
youonlylivetwice Local market/pickled everything, cabbage, pickles, beets. You name it they had it.
12/4/16Reply
youonlylivetwice My godmother, second cousin Natalia and my cousins wife Alenka in the background. We laughed all night!
12/4/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Catching the tbar down - the Carpathian Mountains ahead
12/4/16Reply
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Day 94
Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 4:32 PM
🌙 12 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Ireland Galway Ceannt 53.273136, -9.04909453°16’23” N 9°2’57” W
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Back in the land of the leprechauns
December 6, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ 🌙 12 °C
Left a chilly sunny Bratislava behind at 1:35 today and arrived to a balmy wet Ireland. Made a great connection with the bus directly to Galway (21 euros). The ride was 2.5 hours and my hostel was an 8 minute walk from the station right in the heart of Eyre square. The first thing that hit me was the salty ocean air and the 12 degree heat wave. I walked around two hours and it was magical. No lack of nice looking men here and definitely ginger. Hit the Christmas market right away.Read more
youonlylivetwice The Latin quarter
12/6/16Reply
youonlylivetwice The huge Ferris wheel at the Christmas market
12/6/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Just when I got in-right around the corner from the bus station
12/6/16Reply
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Day 95
Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 2:26 PM
☀️ 13 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Ireland Galway Ceannt 53.273167, -9.04932353°16’23” N 9°2’58” W
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The Wild Atlantic Way
December 7, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
Early start today and so much to see. Started on foot to a misty morning at 8am. I finally say down and had lunch at noon. I have to get back into the swing of 20 k a day again. I had done 16k by lunch and saw so many sites. It is so beautiful here. I went to a mass at St. Nicholas cathedral then made my way to Mutton island and did the long walk trail along the Atlantic Ocean. It was wild alright, waves crashing against the breakwater and the wind was whipping. It was warm at 14 degrees. Had a girl in the room last night that had a bad cold and so today I felt a bit plugged in the head, could be the flight over too. Galway is a college town with lots of students and mid lifers living here. It is clean, the air is fresh, people are fit, less smoking and so friendly to help. If you're short in change they say "don't worry love just give us close to what you've got'. To be continued.....Read more
youonlylivetwice St. Nicholas cathedral-four different prayer wings- huge and completely different than European cathedrals-stunning
12/7/16Reply
youonlylivetwice The dome and to the top of it ornate wood work
12/7/16Reply
youonlylivetwice The Spanish Arch-there are four here
12/7/16Reply
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Day 95
Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 6:14 PM
🌙 12 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Ireland Galway Ceannt 53.273014, -9.04912153°16’23” N 9°2’57” W
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Trekking ...part two
December 7, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ 🌙 12 °C
I came back after lunch and has a rest for about half an hour and set out again. I booked my trip to the Cliffs of Moher and Burren for tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow and the tour is about eight hours. Will be nice to see some interesting geology and history. There is a Celtic duet playing in the hostel tonight that I'm going to catch. They are called Matty Rea and are steel string guitar and cello-interesting mix. Found a beer can on the beach today and I think it came from Canada because you can't buy this beer here. There are still flowers growing on the shores in December.Read more
youonlylivetwice Daisies in December!
12/7/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Canadian eh? Must have floated over from PEI.
12/7/16Reply
youonlylivetwice A walk by the river-people's apartments, how beautiful!
12/7/16Reply
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Day 96
Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 9:17 PM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 142 m
Ireland Cliffs of Moher 52.973042, -9.43052952°58’23” N 9°25’50” W
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Dunghaire castle, Burren, Doolin
December 8, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
Set out this morning at 10 am to the Cliffs of Moher and Burren. I got a great seat in the bus all by myself and at the last minute a huge American guy sat next to me. I was chocked. I was squished into the corner and was pressed against the seatbelt latch and his body weight kept pressing into me. Well I lasted two hours and then found the skinniest woman on the bus which happened to be sitting in the first row. Immediately I changed seats and the trip was much better. We saw so many sites today. It started out misty but it ended up being beautiful and sunny. We started at the Dunghaire castle, then to the tomb at Burren where 33 people were buried in the Neolithic age. The geology was incredible.Read more
youonlylivetwice Dunghaire Castle sitting in the tidal Atlantic Ocean
12/8/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Rock fencing of sheep at Burren-there are 2500 km's of Rock fences along the Wild Atlantic Way
12/8/16Reply
youonlylivetwice The geology - can you see the face?
12/8/16Reply
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Day 96
Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 10:04 PM
🌙 11 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Ireland Galway Ceannt 53.273087, -9.04903153°16’23” N 9°2’57” W
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Cliffs of Moher
December 8, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ 🌙 11 °C
Lucky me on my way up to take a photo from the other side of the cliffs I met Leah. We found out we were both from BC-she was from Richmond. After we took some photos we had a beer in Doolin at Gus' Pub. I nearly missed my bus because I thought she was in the same bus. Had to down my pint and run for the bus. We left for the cliffs and walked for about 90 minutes. It was beautiful. What amazed me was how dense some people are when they go hiking. Particularly the uber loud and rude Spaniards in their loafer designer shoes. It was so muddy that I had to wash my shoes when I got home and throw out my pants. On the way back we came across some cattle walking on the narrow road and they soon formed a single line when they saw the bus. Smart cows!Read more
youonlylivetwice The Cliffs of Moher-see the tiny people at the top? That's where I walked too only to third cliff.
12/8/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Looking at the cliffs from the opposite direction
12/8/16Reply
youonlylivetwice The Wild Atlantic Coast-reminded me of Newfoundland
12/8/16Reply
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Day 97
Friday, December 9, 2016 at 8:30 PM
🌙 9 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Ireland Cong 53.542241, -9.28700653°32’32” N 9°17’13” W
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Connemara, Cong bus tour
December 9, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ 🌙 9 °C
I booked another night in the hostel today so I could take this bus trip. It was a trip through a national park, friar ruins, abbeys and a fjord along the Atlantic Ocean. Again I lucked out with the weather. First stop was to Ross Errily Abbey ruins, lived in by Fransiscan monks until 1742. It was attacked three times. Next stop was Cong where the 1951 movie Quiet man was filmed starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. I stopped here to grab a bowl of hot soup because lunch was going to be at two and I've had this lingering cold for three days now.Read more
youonlylivetwice Ross Errily Abbey Ruins
12/9/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Cong, a house built on the river where the river passes through the bedroom
12/9/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Bronze of John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara
12/9/16Reply
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Day 97
Friday, December 9, 2016 at 8:53 PM
🌙 10 °C
Altitude: 31 m
Ireland Doughruagh 53.561638, -9.88931353°33’42” N 9°53’22” W
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Kylemore Abbey and Faerie trees
December 9, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ 🌙 10 °C
Our next stop was at Inagh Fjord which was stunning. We stopped by a ribboned faerie tree where if you hang a ribbon, make a wish, your wish will come true. If it doesn't you keep hanging ribbons until you wish us fulfilled. I didn't have a ribbon but I'm sure it's not the last faerie tree I'll come across. We then went off to Kylemore Abbey (castle).Read more
youonlylivetwice Leave a ribbon on the faerie tree for your wish to be granted
12/10/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Kylemore Castle now Kylemore Abbey
12/10/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Inagh Fjord-this us where they farm mussels and sAtlantic salmon
12/10/16Reply
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Day 98
Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 1:45 PM
⛅ 10 °C
Altitude: 26 m
Ireland Killarney 52.059498, -9.51055652°3’34” N 9°30’38” W
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Heading south to Killarney
December 10, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Left at 10 am from Galway today heading to Killarney. Had a one hour transfer in Limerick. Not a pretty city at all-very industrialized. However Killarney was sunny and gorgeous. My hostel is 500 m from the gates of the National Park. The town reminds me of Banff and Newfoundland combined. Tomorrow I am going to check it out. So I went for a stroll after dinner tonight a come across Santa wishing good cheer. Feels weird because is warm, sunny but all the Christmas decorations are out. Could this be California? Headed out shopping afterwards and then heard some great Celtic music.....so I had to check it out. Had a pint of G and listened to the band and an older chap, I think his name was Tony bought me another pint and chatted my ear off in Gaelic. I was confused and just smiled, laughed and nodded. He fessed up that he was a retired psychologist, dedicated an Irish ballad to me, and made me laugh. The music was fabulous and the band played Folsom County in traditional Celtic beat and it was great. This town feels alive and great!Read more
youonlylivetwice House at the entrance of the National Park- I think it's a restaurant
12/10/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Poetry on the ceiling in a passageway - very beautiful!
12/10/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Carriage rides in town-so Christmassy!
12/10/16Reply
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Day 99
Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 9:21 PM
Altitude: 28 m
Ireland Ardagh Lough 52.031459, -9.49000552°1’53” N 9°29’24” W
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A walk in the park
December 11, 2016 in Ireland
I woke up to a beautiful sunny day. Today I dedicated myself to nature, fresh air and a whole lot of walking. How wonderful to have a national park at your doorstep. Two and a half km into my walk I ran into Ross Castle and the Leane Lough lake and a whole crew of rowers. It was amazingly warm at 14 degrees and I was in my glory walking. Everyone her is so friendly saying how ya going, and extremely fit. Not much smoking here thank goodness. I came across the strangest deer in the forest. It looked like a mix between a leprechaun, sheep dog, sheep and deer. Check out the picture, the strangest looking deer. There were also huge elk in the park and lots of bamboo. The flora and fauna is very different with tropical and deciduous trees. Did some grocery shopping at Dunnes where prices are great, not as great as Slovakia though. Tomorrow I'm taking a tour of the ring of Kerry .Read more
youonlylivetwice Ross Castle 2.5 km into my walk, what a surprise!
12/11/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Giant elk in the park
12/11/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Rowing in December in Killarny NP-you need a permit to row here
12/11/16Reply
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Day 100
Monday, December 12, 2016 at 3:48 PM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 26 m
Ireland Killarney 52.0594, -9.51063252°3’34” N 9°30’38” W
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Muckross Abbey, House & Torc Waterfalls
December 12, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
I was set to do the Ring of Kerry this morning before moving onto Cork but my tour was cancelled. Bummer I was really looking forward to it but I was the only one going so it wasn't feasible for the tour company. Instead I decided to go up to Torc waterfalls in the park. It was drizzling when I left and by the time I stopped off to have lunch and give my feet a rest (12km in) it was pouring down rain. The last 8 kms were really wet. The Polish girls at the hostel were super and threw my coat into the dryer. My feet really hurt but it was well worth it. I also found out that the creatures in the park were the original Red deer of Ireland, which have existed only in Ireland for centuries. The crazy looking second creature is the purebred Japanese Sika deer and was brought to the island by nobility for hunting purposes. Interestingly both deer graze side by side with cattle in the National Park.Read more
youonlylivetwice Tree graveyard in the park . Split right down the middle . Can't describe how huge it was
12/12/16Reply
youonlylivetwice So many shades of green and crystal clear water
12/12/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Rock garden at Muckross House
12/12/16Reply
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Day 101
Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 5:55 PM
🌙 13 °C
Altitude: 3 m
Ireland Dingle 52.139297, -10.27078352°8’21” N 10°16’15” W
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Dingle all the way
December 13, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
Wow it just keeps getting better. I am in Dingle the most westerly part of Ireland and it is so green including the water. It has been stormy all day but I have given to the rain and pressed on. I was going to go on a boat cruise to see the dolphins but the wind picked up and the rain set in. Checked into my hostel and so far am the only one here, yeah! Maybe I'll get a good night sleep. Dingle is very touristy and so a lot of places are shut down for the season. I had fresh fish and chips at a local pub and managed to check the whole town out already, population 1200. I don't remember the water this green in Newfoundland but then again they don't have palm trees like they do in Dingle.Read more
youonlylivetwice The Dingle Peninsula, home to seals, manta rays, dolphins and lots is sea birds
12/13/16Reply
youonlylivetwice Looking towards the docks
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youonlylivetwice Main and Johns street
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Ireland youonlylivetwice
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Day 102
Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 6:27 PM
⛅ 6 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Ireland Glanmire Station 51.901466, -8.46608351°54’5” N 8°27’58” W
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Corked!
December 14, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
Well I'm here in Cork and I can't say I'm impressed. It's like a smaller version of Dublin. I got in early and a toured around for 7 hours and there is not much more to see. Tomorrow I am going to go to Cobh(Cove) and see where the Titantic sailed from. A little touristy but I'm curious. I did find a craft brewery and tried a flight of four. The stout is the best here.Read more
youonlylivetwice Cork from the top of the hill
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youonlylivetwice An interesting bridge over the Lee river that meets up with the Celtic sea
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youonlylivetwice Oliver Plunkett street (shopping street)
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Day 103
Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 6:21 PM
⛅ 9 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Ireland Cobh Road 51.849831, -8.29438451°50’59” N 8°17’40” W
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Cobh (Cove)
December 15, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
Took a day trip to Cobh this morning, formerly called Queenstown. The former queen named it after herself when she visited prior to the sailing of the Titantic. When Ireland gained independence from the Brits they renamed it back to its original Gaelic name. It was a beautiful little town only 24 minutes from Cork. The town is known as the last sailing point from Ireland before heading to New York on April 11, 1912. Cobh is known as heartbreak harbour because of the heartbreak the Irish people felt when their families were leaving for America. The wharf next to the Titanic museum is called Kennedy park and Irish pride of JFK. It was a lovely place with lots of interesting history.Read more
youonlylivetwice Kennedy Park at Cobh, the Irish flag always flies half mast to remember the people that perished in the Titantic
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youonlylivetwice A Russian cannon in the background. The navigator statue to help guide all seafarers (in Kennedy Park)
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youonlylivetwice A statue to commemorate the journey to the new life in America.
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Day 103
Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 6:46 PM
⛅ 9 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Ireland Cobh Road 51.849831, -8.29438451°50’59” N 8°17’40” W
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The Titantic museum
December 15, 2016 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
Well it started to rain and so I decided to take in the Titantic museum. So glad I did, it was fantastic! As I was waiting for the tour four people in camo gear walked in and right away I knew they were Americans. Sure enough! The woman walked in and asked "what's this museum all about"? Dah! I guess they never saw the blockbuster with Kate and Leo. The poor irish girl was so kind but I knew she was a bit put off. Cobh was the last pickup point and 177 people left from there to sail to New York . It took three years and 3 thousand men to build the ship. The third class compartments in the ship were better than some of the hostels I have stayed at.Read more
OntheroadagainGotta love those Americans eh, NOT!! Thanks for all the little tidbits of history Jana!
12/15/16Reply
youonlylivetwice The original poster, 3rd class back then cost 8 pounds, half a years waged
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youonlylivetwice The original dock from where they were ferried over to the Titantic (500 m away),the water line was too low and inlet too narrow for the ship to come in.
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