Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Travel: Ireland Day 4

Woah guys, its been a big day. 252 photos big. But not to worry, I'll give you the cliffs notes version :)
 I spent today with the Galway Tour Company vising the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Sarting at 10, we headed south went  towards the Burren. The drive alone was spectacular.

We saw thatched roofs, crumbling buildings, castles, fields of sheep, lush green grass, and quaint little towns. Be sure to notice the rainbow in the photo above. First one I've seen all year, and it made me so happy!!! It was one of about five that made an appearance today since it was raining off and on.
The burren translates to "rocky mountain" or cliff...I think? The terrain started to change, and rocks slowly became more dominate than the green grass I love so much.
Once at the top of the mountains we stopped at the Poulnabrone Dolmen. This small monument is a type of grave marker that predates the egyptian pyramids. Crazy isn't it!

Leaving the Burren we stoped to view some high crosses in Kilenora. I love gravestones as it is, so these celtic crosses were to die for. I was so bummed I didn't have a crayon and sheet of paper. They were beautiful. Did you know that the celtic crosses combine a circle to represent the pagans belief in the sun and the traditional christian cross?
This is me totally in love with Ireland. After stopping in Doolin for lunch we got our first peek the Cliffs of Moher, and the Atlantic Ocean.
As you can see, the water was very rough today. The tour guide said he hasn't seen the water like this in three months, and we were very lucky to view the cliffs today. No boats are sailing the waters in this weather.
We finally arrived at the Cliffs of Moher, and I was absolutely amazed. They are honestly the most breathtaking thing I've seen in my entire life.
Just to give you an idea of size, a lookout tower is on the edge of the cliff in the photo above. It's
not huge, but at least a few stories tall.
And those are people at the top of the cliffs in this photo.  Majestic is the best word I can think of to describe it, and I feel truly lucky to have seen such an amazing part of the world.

I've decided to forgo the day trip I had planed for tomorrow so that I can have a more relaxing day exploring the city of Galway.

2 comments:

Kathy Barrick said...

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Simply STUNNING!!!!

lyttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt!!!!

Carmen Sutton said...

I'm sitting here with my husbands fishing club while they are talking about big water they have fished, I simply turned around the computer and showed them your pictures and said Here is some big water!
Thanks for sharing all of your photos it almost like being there! I look forward to it every day.


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