Ireland Day 5: Castles and Ring of Kerry

Blarney Castle

Well, I kissed the stone above the Blarney Stone anyways. We hiked up the narrow, winding staircase and it was scary. By the time I was lowered to kiss the stone I felt like I was as near to death as I wanted to be that day. You have to be held over an open space and bend over backwards to kiss it and I couldn't get down low enough. It was too scary to go farther.

Lakes of Killarney

Then we went down the winding roads of the Ring of Kerry, which includes the Lakes of Killarney and an old fort from around 400 AD. The old lane leading to the fort was only big enough for one tiny European car, but it was a 2-way street. That definitely made the journey more interesting!

Staigue Fort

Ballyseede Castle Hotel

Then we drove into Tralee, which is the town closest to the Ballyseede Castle Hotel. The castle is on 30 acres of land and is very beautiful. They have a big Irish wolfhound that's like the hotel mascot, and it's the biggest dog I've ever seen. Every time I saw it, he was lying down. I guess I would be lazy too if I had to haul all that bulk around!








Now we're on the road again to the Cliffs of Moher in Shannon. After that we go to the farmhouse B&B in a town called Newmarket-on-Fergus.

(11:15am Ireland time)

Cruisin' Part 3: Cozumel

I LOVE Cozumel. Makes me sad I didn't have more time to see the rest of Mexico. Parts are more like a city and parts are so laid back.

Mayan temple

We began the day with a tour of Cozumel led by Moy, who was one of the best tour guides ever. We visited an old church that is right next to remains of a Mayan temple, and the differences were interesting to observe.

Tequila for sale

 

Another stop on the tour was a tequila farm, where they raise the agave plants and create tequila on-site. It's a long and interesting process between how clear and yellow tequila are made (it's an age thing), and there's a shop at the end where they sell all their products. Seeing Grandma take a free sample of tequila was worth the price of the tour!

For lunch, we went to a recommended restaurant from the tour guide and had authentic Mexican fajitas and margaritas. Then we spent the rest of the day at a not-so-authentic Mexican experience of Señor Frog's that was almost at the end of the dock. It was either that or spend time on the boat, and I'll take more time on the mainland any day.

The Whistle Lady

I've been to a Señor Frog's somewhere in the US once, and it was nothing like the one in Cozumel. This one is like a 24/7 college party with conga lines and people pouring drinks all over you (but aiming for your mouth). It was fun while you're there in it, but afterwards you're just sticky and gross. The worst part is that there's a woman here with a whistle who comes up to your table, pours a shot down your throat, fondles your boobs, and then charges you for it. What the crap? Maybe I'm getting too old for this. =P