Up
early this morning. Breakfast at 7 am to be on the bus for departure
at 8:15.
Surprisingly all were ready to go. In fact we were only “delayed”
once all day but that was because of a shopper completing a
transaction. One thing that we did like is that the luggage was
picked up (no hauling) from our room and was delivered to the
Killarney Plaza hotel where we are staying the next 2 days. It was
waiting outside our room when we arrived this afternoon.
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| Cliffs OF Moher |
Generally
the day was light on site seeing and long on the bus. After a short
ride we arrived at the Cliffs of Moher. They are on the west coast
of Ireland where the weather comes in from the Atlantic. The day
started coolish with the threat of rain but cleared progressively as
the day went on. The cliffs are about 700 feet high with many
isolated spires in the water. There was a nice sea arch but we went
the wrong way to see it. Cave formation at the base of the cliffs
was also in evidence. The walk along the cliffs quickly turns to a
worn path along the edge. We were warned not to go too close to the
edge. I understand why. Fortunately we did not loose anyone.
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| Judy at the Cliffs |
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| Crotty's Pub |
After
the stop we made our way to a small town of Kilrush for a stop at at
Crotty's Pub. It was voted as Best Traditional Pub in 2011. The
tour director “arranged” for us to stop there and did not
indicate until later that we could go anywhere for lunch. We had a
very nice light meal (seafood chowder and tuna sandwich). After we
walked through the town and stopped at a bakery. It was a real
bakery – no sweets for sale. However the shop keeper was very
friendly and cut us each a slice of their raisin bread with butter.
No charge just lots of friendly talk about the area. It was one of
those things that you remember about a trip.
After
lunch it was a long bus ride with no stops. We felt that we could
have included something else on the tour. That is of course if you
do not count the stop at a “very nice gift shop” with fine
jewelry. They give you a nice Irish Coffee just for going in. Draw
your own conclusions! All I could think of is that if we were in
Turkey we would be stopping at the carpet factory or a good diamond
shop in Singapore or the Caribbean! Given the price of the price of
the jewelry, I know why we stopped there.
We
finally got to the hotel and went for a nice walk around town. This
is an absolute tourist town and plenty of tourist were out on the
streets. It will be our home for the next 2 nights. We did visit the "new" Catholic church as part of our walkabout.
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| "New" Catholic Church |
Dinner tonight
was at the hotel with choices from the menu. The salmon was
excellent as was the choice of desserts. Tomorrow we will take a
drive around the Ring of Kerry. It should be a highlight of the
trip.
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