Shamrocking Adventure

Okay so as you probably remember I went back to Ireland over the Easter holidays with my friend Erin and Ondine. Bloody Brilliant time we had too. So just in case you were wondering what we did and why I almost killed Ondine or you just want some ideas on where you should go or avoid at all cost (as it may be) read on people, read on.

So I arrived at the airport by plane from Copenhagen late evening and met Ondine and Erin there. My plane in Copenhagen had been delayed and that was irritating, but it worked out for the best because all three of us arrived at the same time. We spent the night in Stanstead airport and didn't really do much sleeping. Fairly certian we were keeping everyone else up as well. Morning finally came though and we had our delicious (sarcasm) airport breakfast and watched a Stag party (Bachelor Party for Americans) start their pre drinks at 5 AM.

Eventually we were on the plane and were off for an amazing 10 day adventure in the land of the Leprechans. Our first day was spent in Dublin and we toured Phoenix Park, the Guinness Storehouse, and the Jameson Irish Whiskey distillery. Erin was selected on the Jameson tour to be a 'whiskey taster,' so she got to compare Jameson with two other whiskeys (a Scotch Reserve Whisky and Jack Daniels). We then went to the hostel had a nap made some dinner and made our way to Temple Bar for an extremely overpriced drinks where we were hit on buy some rather old men on a stag night.

We then headed to Cork City. Our hostel there was amazing and if you are ever in Cork stay at the Arran House Tourist Hostel. The lady who runs it is so sweet she gave us directions to Blarney and the bus station and gave us some resturant recommendations. And there was a dog! Anyway while in Cork we headed over to the Blarney Castle. Stunning! And I kissed the Blarney stone which was scary as...as...well I can't think of a metaphor right now so just make one up for yourself.

Returned to Cork and then went out to some clubs. Ondine proceed to chat up the bouncer and get us free entry into two night clubs. At one night club she then had all these body builders chasing after her. The body builders then decided that it would be a good idea to win Ondine's love by seeing who could pick her up and hold her for longer. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) for Ondine, while the body builders were discussing who one a new guy came in and took her away. Erin and I stood there and laughed.

The next day we headed to a small village in the country side called Inchigeelagh. Our hostel was actually about 5 km outside of the village and a nice woman gave us a lift there. It was so goregous there and we went for a walk on the first day and made some dinner then watched TV. We ended up watching a show in Galiec on American Country-Western music.

Day two in Inchigeelagh consisted of an epic 70 km bike right through a mountain pass and back by a different route which was not any less steep. We'd originally planned on having a short bike ride to explore the area. Then we saw a castle on a map and though...'let's bike there and have a picinic, its not to far.' We got there just fine, but on the way back we managed to get lost. We did eventually make it back at 10 that evening and I was so sore that I couldn't stand up straight or sit down properly.

We went to bed after a meal of leftover spaghetti and Irish soda bread then awoke bright and shiny (well sore and in pain) without realizing that while we were sleeping the time had changed. So we left thinking we still had two hours to get to the bus station. And did I mention it was absoultely pouring buckets? Luckily a nice man gave us a lift to the bus stop so we made it there in time. However the bus driver was a jerkface and yelled at us for getting the tickets wet. Clearly he hadn't noticed it was raining.

We headed to the Aran Islands via Cork City, Galway, and Rossaveal (where we caught our ferry). The Islands were amazing. We stayed at the Kilronan hostel and if you stay anywhere else on the Inishmore you are an idiot. The people who run it are friendly and breakfast is provided. They have a bike hire and plenty of books to read and movies to watch and games to play in the evening. We went out for meal and discovered the brillance that is hot whiskey and hot port after being out in the freezing rain. Oh and I apparently waddle like a penguin when I'm cold and soaked.

The next day we road bikes again! This time it couldn't possibly be as bad as it was in Cork because the island was ony 17 km. We toured the island on our bikes, got caught in the rain, went to the Seven Churhes, had a picinic lunch in a pasture, and saw lots and lots of rocks. We had an early night were Ondine made toad in the hole and Erin made putin (cheesy fries and gravy). Which all the food made me feel really sick...so Ondine made faerie cakes...basically cake with chocolate chunks. TOOO MUCH GOODNESS! We did some more touring the next day before we said good bye to the Islands. If I get the chance I will definitely be going back.

Galway was the final stop in our trip before heading back to Dublin to catch our planes to Bristol for Ondine and I and Glasgow for Erin. We had an early night because we had spent most of the day on the islands and wanted to go out the next night. In the morning we did a bit of shopping, had a light brunch, and chatted with the guy running the hostel about the best pubs to go to for a pub crawl. That night we went to five different pubs, heard live bands in all but one, met some interesting characters who asked us to meet them later and promised to bring sheep, embraced a pear, sat in a throne, and convinced one band to play some Johnny Cash, because nobody does it better than the man in black.

Morning came and we were a bit sluggish from the night before. But we managed to make it to the bus station on time. We stopped at Supermac's (an Irish fast food chain) and had a quick bite to eat and most importantly ice cream in a hot choco-chip muffin. Then it was time to return to England, but not before some jerk bus driver drove off to the airport without Ondine or Erin on board.

Copenhagen, Arhus, Aunning, & Sunds

Right so I have some much to say, mainly because I'm extremely bored being at the RAC 2 weeks before everyone else really returns, although there are some postgrad, 3rd years and 2nd years here working on projects and dissertations, but I digress. Where was I? Oh yes all these things I have to say about my Easter break that it will be broken up into two section, at least, one for each place I visited. And as some of you know, but most of you probably don't I have family that live in Denmark. So I thought I'd drop by and say hello to them while I was so close in Jolly Ol' England.

I was slightly ashamed of how I passed what can be considered one of the biggest drinking holidays in the States. St. Paddy's day was uneventful as far as the typical RAC culture goes. I went to an Indian restaurant to celebrate my friend Emily's 19th birthday, it was meant to be a surprise but certian boys named James are not very good at keeping secrets for very long. The night however was amazing, good food, good company, and good converstation, even if we did cover all the taboo dinner topics (Money, Religion, Politics, and Sex).

I was then forced (AND I DO MEAN FORCED) to attend the final night at the Rock. Normally, as I'm sure anyone who has read this blog before will know I'm quite up to spend the night at the Rock, however I've recently given up on the Rock. It's kinda a dump and I was quite miserable there.

Thursday marked the day of voting for the new Student Union who'd been campaigning all week. The highlight was of course the hastings which involved the candidates standing on a platform and having food, irons, fake eggs, and pretty much anything that was sticky, smelly, and nasty. I have pictures, but my computer has died and there are only two words that can possibly describe my destress at this...sweet life. Thursday was also the day I left for the airport to make my 7 am flight the following morning. I had a 4 hour wait in London and in that time consumed 5 cups of tea, watched the sun rise, witnessed a fight on a double decker London bus (a true bus indeed), managed to get off the bus at the right stop, sat in a McDonalds until the train station opened.

I was from the time I left Cirencester constantly traveling. 3 Trains 1 Plane 1 Bus 2 car rides. And the train I took from Copenhagen to Arhus (Basically traveling the whole of the country) took 4 hours...needless to say I fell asleep. I did finally arrive in Arhus where I was picked up by one of the son's of the people I was staying with. We went to pick up his girlfriend then went to his apartment where I was offered a traditional Danish Christmas beer...and it was delicious. We (one of his brothers and his parents joined us for dinner) had venision for dinner and it was oh so good! We then finished the evening off with some fine Scotch Whisky...I think I may be in love with my family in Denmark.

I was then taken to Aunning where I was going to be staying for the weekend. I had a lovely time and then we woke up and went to visit the third and final brother in Sunds for lunch. We went and saw this strange art scuplture and was shown around the college where the 3rd brother went to university. We then went to visit Thorkild's (the person I was staying with) brother who has a farm. And as I've mentioned it was a hog farm. It was very similar to a typical Iowan hog farm and he only focused on farrowing not finishing.

We then went on a walk around Aunning the next day as it was my final day before going to Copenhagen where I would be staying with Thorkild's nephew. It was a lovely walk and we visited Emil (on of Thorkild's sons) and played Wii and Guitar Hero...except my guitar had low batteries or I would have kicked Emil's butt.

The next day I was to get on a train in the morning and it was my Birthday. Thorkild and Grethe were very sweet and got me a chocolate Easter egg and a card. I then was back in Copenhagen where Jeppe (Thorkild's nephew) took me around on a walk and showed me some of the sights of the city. Did you know that there are no tall buildings allowed in the city center? It give the city this kind of old world charm while still being quite modern. My first full day in Copenhagen I went to the Royal Theatre musem and the Carlsberg Brewery. And I had sushi for dinner! Yum yum.

My last day in Denmark and I went to see the Crown Prince's future home and the little mermaid. And then it was time for me to leave Denmark. I hade a most amazing time