Ireland - July, 2018

Today, we chose to take the tour of the Gap of Dunloe, a major scenic trip with the famous chain of lakes, as well as other historical events. Up for the hotel breakfast, which was good, and on the bus around 10:00 to take us to the drop off.  After stopping for several other visitors at their hotels, we arrived at the beginning point just before 11:00. The choices were to hike the 4 miles uphill and 3 miles down hill to the top of the first lake, eat lunch, and be ready for the boat by 2:00, or to take a "carriage ride" to the boats for 1.5 hours.  We chose the carriage ride, 'cause there's no way we were gonna make the boats by 2:00.  Besides, who could pass up a face like Bob's? The driver was pretty insistent, in a nice way, that we take the carriage.  She's done it enough times (for over 50 years) to size up the patrons pretty quickly. On the way up, we passed some beautiful scenery. The pictures may not be in order, but you'l...

Leisurely rise for breakfast at the Marina Hotel this morning.  Made it down around 7:30.  The fare was not to be compared with the Alex Hotel.  It was average, at best, but it came with the rooms. After cleaning up, we checked out, stowed the luggage in the trunk, and headed for Pennys.  Yes, Pennys.  Not the J.C. type, but a local store where Gwen could find some cooler clothing.  Nothing there, but it was in the middle of a shopping "mall" area, so she found something at another store. We had parked down on the waterfront, so we walked up the the Waterford Crystal factory for the tour. Leaving out, we headed for Cork and lunch at Nando's, a funky place with chicken on the bone.  Emma had eaten at the one in London, so we made it a stopping place.  It was good, with a variety of sauces and flavors.  The chips (fries) were great, too.   Cork, as a tourist destination, is less than i...

The king sized bed at the Alex Hotel was great!  We needed the sleep.... Up for a great breakfast (included in the room), and we weren't disappointed. Fresh fruits, scrambled eggs, bacon (well, it was really ham, but they call it bacon), yogurt with various toppings, croissants, good coffee, good iced tea for Gwen, and some coffee cake looking things that were wonderful. Fed and watered, we headed for Trinity College to view the Book of Kells.  Look up the Book of Kells.  Emma had the foresight to order tickets on line, so we didn't have to wait 30 minutes to get in! There were lotsa pics taken, but way to many to post. It was now time to pick up the car, so off to Hertz for a reserved car at 12:00 p.m........ which wasn't there.  An hour later, and an upgrade to an Audi A8, we were off on the road. Mind you, it was the wrong side of the road, but we were on our way.  Lotsa patchwork hills between towns...