Time Has Been Flying By!

I can't believe how quickly this trip is passing by, though I will be happy to come home in little over a week. I am going to briefly recap everything we have done since my last post, but I am tired so forgive the incoherent rambling.

After Galway we headed to a small town called Cahersaveen located in the Ring of Kerry. On our full day there we rented bikes again, (much more comfortable seats), and rode all around the countryside. We were able to explore the ruins of a really cool old castle that we just climbed around at our own risk. It would never happen in the US but it was awesome. We then hiked around a fort that was built between 50 B.C. and 300 A.D. It was really amazing. The sites here are fantastic but really the scenery is what just pushes it over the top. So incredibly beautiful. And somehow for the most part the sun follows us and it just rains on our travel days. We have really had a blessed trip thus far.

After Cahersaveen we took a bus through the Ring of Kerry that was beautiful but quite nauseating. It took us to Killarney. We visited some of the local pubs this evening, and met some nice people... and a few kind of creepy ones. (Ask Katie about that one!) Our full day in Killarney was the best yet! We woke up with the intention of riding horses through Killarney National Park, but after getting up extra early to do so we were informed that they were all booked. Disappointedly we made reservations for the following day then found a plan B. We were advised to go up to the Gap of Dunloe. We were bused up to the lakes where we were given an hour and a half boating tour of the many beautiful lakes in the Ring of Kerry. We then were dropped off at one side of the Gap for lunch before we were to take a three hour hike to the other side. As we finished our lunch this leperchaun-looking man that was missing his front tooth approached us and asked if we would be interested in riding horses through the gap for €20 less than the riding in the park would cost. A little apprehensively we followed him down this hill where we found a family in two carriages ready for a tour and two additional horses that were needing riders. It was unbelievable that they had randomly brought two extra horses along to make a little more money and they just happened to approach us. So off we went up this very steep and beautiful climb. (So thankful we didn't have to walk.) The ride was fantastic. Not only did we get to run the horses riding English style, but it was probably the most beautiful place I have ever seen. The ride lasted around 2 hours and was quite possibly the coolest thing I have ever done. Seriously, look up Gap of Dunloe to get and idea of what we did.

That evening we went to the annual Killarney Horse Races and Katie won the first two races she bet on. I however did not. Sorry mom, your horse just didn't pull through. We also ran into one of the guys we had met the night before. Daniel, who will hence forth be know as Danny Boy, introduced us to his friends. Were starving at this point because we had unfortunately only eaten some chips (fries to you Americans) because the burgers we bought were the most disgusting things we had ever tasted and then threw away. SO we grabbed a bite and later met up with Danny Boy at a cool night club that is oh so different from anything we have in the US. Great Day!

Alright, so the next morning we woke up incredibely sore from the horses and a little grouchy. We traveled on to Cork and were met by pouring rain. Our luck had run out. After grabbing some food we did a little shopping and I decided investing in some cheap rain boots was a must. I was so excited and comfortable once I put them on. However, as my Irish luck would have it, it hasn't rained since. I feel that Cork owes me a pint personally, but whatever. I guess I should be happy with the blue skies, and ten more pounds to carry in my suite case.

This morning we of course woke to sunny skies and took a city tour of Cork. Mehhh... it was alright, kind of drab but we finish the day off with the Blarney Castle. Blarney was really cute and quaint... exactly what you "tink" of when you "tink" Ireland. And we did it...We kissed the Blarney Stone. Supposedly we are now more elloquent speakers, but in truth we probably have just acquired some nasty lip fungus. It was really nice up there and I was left feeling a little better about the Co. Cork, seeing as this is where most of my ancestors are from and I wasn't really feeling it. So, tonight we plan to catch a later dinner and hopefully some more Irish music, and hopefully Irishmen to snog (for you mom).

Tomorrow we head for Kilkenny for a night and then back to Dublin for four more days! Post again soon. Love ya!