Monday 13 July 2015

Day 304...

SATURDAY 4.7.15 - I am thankful for... Johnny Fox's Pub


*picture from https://www.panoramio.com/photo/7735130

Tonight was unfortunately everybody's last meal together post wedding before we all head off on our separate adventures. Our Irish friends brought us here, a 200 year old pub that is the highest in Ireland. I really enjoyed it here. The food was fantastic, the music was great and the overall vibe was quite relaxed, which was nice considering we'd had such a huge day yesterday. It was the perfect way to cap off a fantastic week of wedding celebrations. I'm really going to miss everyone because I don't know when we'll all be together again. But I thankful for spending our last night together here. It's definitely been the best start to my holidays!


Saturday 11 July 2015

Day 303...

FRIDAY 3.7.15 - I am thankful for... Reunions


Today one of my beautiful friends got married. We've known each other through dancing and pretty much spent most of our teenage years together with our group of dancing friends. Obviously the reason the wedding was here in Ireland and not in Australia is because her now husband is Irish and they both live together in London. But hey, I'm not going to complain, it gave me an excuse for this awesome holiday! The best part about it was that I was able to catch up with people I hadn't seen in a long time. It was really wonderful that a group of us were able to make it, pictured above (actually this picture was taken last night but it's the only one with all of us in it). It's quite a big deal to travel from Australia to Europe, both because it's expensive and takes 24hrs of flying to get there. I know my friend and her family were extremely grateful. I am so thankful for this wonderful occasion that has fostered this reunion. A wonderful day celebrating wonderful people an catching up with old friends. An incredibly special day!

Thursday 9 July 2015

Day 302...

THURSDAY 2.7.15 - I am thankful for... Powerscourt Gardens


My friends and I had a little more relaxed day today. It was our first full day in Enniskery so we decided to go exploring. I had heard about The Powerscourt Hotel and it's gardens and the girls agreed we should check it out. To say they were beautiful is an understatement! They are incredible and immaculate. We easily spent hours wandering around the different areas, only stopping for a treat and refreshment - I had the most delicious chocolate and pecan tart! There was a Japanese garden, Medieval tower, large duck pond, walking trail through trees and so much more. A wonderful place for a stroll or even a picnic. All in all I'm thankful we got to do it. It was a nice change of pace from the last few days.

Monday 6 July 2015

Day 301...

WEDNESDAY 1.7.15 - I am thankful for... Horse and carriage ride after a long day walking



Oh man I'm tired tonight! We must have walked several kilometres today. This morning we enjoyed a 3hr walking tour of Dublin with our fantastic and enthusiastic guide. Then we walked to the Guinness Storehouse to see how it's made and to try some for ourselves. By the afternoon my legs were hurting terribly and had a blister developing on my heel. We had decided to take a taxi back to meet our other friends but outside the Guinness Storehouse were a few horse and carriage. We thought why not! Just for something different and it wasn't too expensive. It was really cool, getting to see Dublin still as we went along. And boy did that horse pick up some speed! These past few days have been great and it's hard to pick just one thing to be thankful for each day, but I'm glad we took a horse and carriage today. Lord knows I would not have been able to walk back!

Day 300...

TUESDAY 30.6.15 - I am thankful for... My friend Hen's Day


Today was an absolutely wonderful day. It was my friend's hen's day! Firstly, the group of us were reunited for the first time in years. Some of us hadn't seen each other in a long time as we've all moved away to pursue our careers. We started off with a very fancy high tea, followed by a cocktail making class in an incredibly beautiful bar (pictured) and then off to a private karaoke room followed by another casual bar for final drinks. We had the best day, the bride seemed to beam all day with excitement. The funniest part was, as we walked down the streets of Dublin to the karaoke bar, we ran into the men! The noise that ensued... well.. let's just say we had the attention of the locals. Needless to say I think it went really well and we were all able to be together to celebrate our wonderful friend. I am so thankful for today and looking forward to the week ahead!


Day 299...

MONDAY 29.6.15 - I am thankful for... Being a tourist with a good friend!


I spent the morning doing some more sightseeing whilst waiting for a good friend of mine to arrive. We have been friends since primary school and she now lives in Paris so I don't see her too often at all. However, she too is coming over to Ireland for our friend's wedding and arrived at lunch time today. As I was on my way to meet her, I saw this stand where you could turn yourself into a leprechaun. A very touristy gimmick no doubt, but looked hilariously fun. When I told her about it she said 'Let's do it!'. This was the first thing we did together in Ireland! We could not stop laughing about it! We then went off to explore more of Dublin together. I am so thankful I was able to do the touristy things with a good friend of mine today. It made the experiences a little more exciting.




Sunday 5 July 2015

Day 298...

SUNDAY 28.6.15 - I am thankful for... Getting lost in a foreign place

 
Out and about in Dublin today, I must have gotten lost a dozen times. I got lost trying to find the train station. I got lost going from the train station to Malahaide Castle (pictured) which was my first destination for the day - a beautiful part of Ireland. I got lost trying to find my way back from Kilmaiham Gaol to my hotel. But none of that fazed me whatsoever. I was not in any rush to be anywhere at any given time and I even had the opportunity to ask a few locals for directions. May I just say now the Irish are incredibly friendly people! When travelling I try to walk as much as possible. That's how you get to see and experience more. I am thankful I got lost a few times today, it just added to my adventure!

Day 297...

SATURDAY 27.6.15 - I am thankful for... Exploring Dublin!


I'm here! Landed at midday Ireland time, went straight to my hotel room to dump my bags then straight out again to begin exploring. The weather wasn't too bad, a little drizzly but not too cold at all. I love being in a brand new place and just walking around, taking it all in. The first thing I saw was the Pride parade, probably of great importance seeing as Ireland recently voted yes for marriage equality. Then I walked up and down the main roads, got my Dublin pass ready to do some sights tomorrow, then back to the hotel for some much needed rest. Travelling 24hrs by plane will do that too you! Then tonight I set out again to do a ghost bus tour of Dublin. As I arrived at the pick up place I heard my name called... it was the mother and sister of my friend who is getting married on Friday! Of all the things to do here what are the chances of meeting up with people I know in a foreign country unplanned! So we enjoyed the very theatrical tour together. Today I'm incredibly grateful just to be here and am looking forward to going around and seeing the main sights of Dublin. So much to do in so little time!

Day 296...

FRIDAY 26.6.15 - I am thankful for... My Passport



Today is the day! I'm off on my European adventure! I can't believe it. I feel like I have been talking about this for so long that it might never come. My wonderful (and very pregnant) friend was kind enough to take me to the airport so I didn't have to take a taxi. How sweet was that? As you know though, you can't travel anywhere in the world without a passport, and today I'm very grateful for mine. Without it I wouldn't be going very far! I must have check a dozen times to make sure I had it. So off I go. I will endeavour to continue my posts as frequently as I can, depending on access to WIFI. Here we go! See you in Ireland!