As I said in my last posting, I feel like home here in Ireland. It may be because I have been here with my family. It may be because of my heritage or it may even be the fact that everyone here is super friendly, I have no idea. All I do know is that I love it and I can't wait until I get to come back.
I met my brother Billy and my sister-in-law, Amy, in Kilarney on the 11th. Despite the damp and dreary weather, we hiked the Gap of Dunloe, hit up Ross Castle and checked out the magnificent land surrounding the Muckross House. The whole time, we were mesmerised with Kilareny's beauty. The rolling hills, the lakes, rivers and waterfalls would have anyone in a trance. We hiked through the largest leaves anyone has seen and dashed in and out of the minefields of horse poop and puddles all the laughing with each other and at each other and catching up on the latest details in our lives as well as on the latest gossip... Nicole Ritchie is Pregnant and Reese Whiterspoon and Jake Gyl broke up! What has the world come too! :-) Later that night, we headed into town for an unbelieveable meal at this Italian Cocina. Mmmm! Mmmm! GOOD! Mussels, Wine, Bruchetta, Pasta, Dessert... WOW oh WOW... YUM! and after we enjoyed great live Authentic Irish Music! Awesome! Once guy from the crown even jumped up on stage with his hermonica and started jamming with the band!
The following morning, we headed down south through the ring of Kerry where we boarded our ferry to Skellig Michael. Skellig Michael (meaning Michael's rock), is a steep rocky, green, island about 15 kilometres west of the coast of County Kerry. For 600 years the island was an important centre of monastic life for Irish Christian monks. An Irish Celtic monastery, which is situated almost at the summit of the 230-metre-high rock, was built in 588, It is one of Europe's better known but least accessible monasteries. Monks lived in stone 'beehive' huts (clochans), perched above nearly vertical cliff walls.
The island is beautiful and I almost didn't make it there to see it! If you read my last entry about the Aran Islands, you will know that ferries and I are not exactly friends and with a longer journey on a smaller boat with rockier waves, lets just say I was NOT at my personal best and after losing my breakfast more than once I was thrilled when my feet were firmly planted on the island - needless to say, so was Billy, Amy and probably the rest of the boat! :-)
The hike up Skellig Michael was tough, not as intense as Cinque Terra but pretty tough and steep but absolutely beautiful! There are these amazing little bird, the Puffins that live on this island and although they won't exactly come up and sit on your lap, they aren't afraid of people either and they make a funny noise to remind you that they are there, just in case you didn't see them! (keep in mind there are 20,000 of them on the island!) We learned the history of the island and the monks that used to live there from a guide that actually lives on the island!! 3-4 rotate in and out every two weeks. Quite amazing. Then we hiked about halfway down and enjoyed a delicious lunch before departing the island. And thank goodness, the ride back was not nearly as rough as the ride going over!! Although it was touch and go for a little while there, I was able to make it back with any incidents!! YAY!!
That afternoon and into the night, Billy, Amy and I enjoyed each others company with some surprisinly declicous nachos a few irish pints and an amazing view before dinner and calling it an early night.
Rise and shine - Friday the 13th - we hop out of bed and jump in the shower for today is a big day! Today, I am off to Cork to see my family that I have not seen since in at least 10-15 years while Billy and Amy head to a friend's wedding in Kinsale where Amy too is about to see and meet friends she too has not seen in 10-15 years.
On the drive down south to our respective cities, we decide to of course, hit up Blarney and kiss the Blarney stone! We drive through this Blarney and make our way to the Blarney Castle which in itself is not too grand, but nice! We climb the tiny tiny stairs to the top of the castle, lay on the floor in front of the stone, lean backwards and SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH!!! We kissed the stone and all three of us acquired the gift of eloquence!!
A few moments later... I arrive in Cork and Billy and Amy are on their way to Kinsale.
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