Ireland - Euro Trip 2022 - Part 2

So, after an eventful and EXHAUSTING (but also amazing) first day in Dublin, we went to sleep - ready for our tour to the Cliffs of Moher for the next day. That was, until I woke up around 5:30am with the sudden urge that I was about to be sick. I ran to the bathroom and was in there for the next 20 minutes until Chad woke up to our alarm going off and came to find me.

We didn't know what to do. This was supposed to be the most exciting day of our time in Ireland and we had to leave in 20 minutes in order to get to our bus in time. I wanted to push through it, I couldn't miss this bucket list item. However I clearly was running a fever and couldn't stay out of the bathroom for more than five minutes. Chad helped me accept the fact that I needed to rest, and we decided we weren't going anywhere that day. I was heartbroken.

Luckily, Chad found a similar tour for Sunday - the following day. The main issue was that we originally had a Blarney Castle day tour planned for that Sunday. Ultimately we chose that we wanted to see the Cliffs more, so we cancelled that tour and rescheduled the Cliffs of Moher bus instead.

I still have no idea what caused me to be sick. Chad went off while I slept the rest of the morning and found some flu medication. By the time it was mid afternoon, I felt completely fine. I was even able to go out on a walk around the financial district at night with him to get some fresh air. Eventually we just chalked it up to food poisoning from something I must've eaten.

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Thankfully, the next morning we woke up for our second attempt at this trip without any signs of illness. We grabbed a taxi and headed in the direction of where we were to meet our bus. I was surprised to see not just one, but four or five huge tour buses lined up. This was a much larger operation than I expected. After talking to one of the coordinators and settling down in our seats on one of the buses, we set off to the west. Even with Dublin being on the far east side of the country, the total ride itself was only around 3 hours. Luckily we stopped at a pit stop not long after setting off, because coffee was going to be much needed this early in the morning.

The Irish countryside is absolutely beautiful. Lush green landscape spans out as far as the eye can see under overcast skies, and property lines are marked by hand-made stone walls that are a few feet tall. Our tour guide also taught us the importance of fairy trees and bushes. There are several tales behind the history of these plants, but ultimately they are known to be the home of 'fae' or fairies. These shrubs/trees therefore are not allowed to be touched or harmed in any way, so if you pay attention you will see how even construction of houses/cities will take place around them - leaving them completely undisturbed.

Before long we finally arrived at the Cliffs of Moher. Our bus pulled up to a parking lot about a hundred yards from the edge and there was a gift shop/visitor center near the entrance as well. This landmark was built into the side of a hill, recreating a look from 'The Hobbit'. However, Chad and I could no longer wait and instead skipped the center at first so that we could see what we had travelled so far for.

After a short flight of stairs you find yourself standing in the center of one of the inlets of the cliffs. If you continue to walk straight and turn left, you will see the famous view of the three cliffs jutting out from the countryside. There is a narrow path to walk up that direction, but there are signs warning you it is hazardous. What I found interesting was that on one side of the path is the sheer cliffside and on the other side, just a few yards away, is a field full of cattle!

I could not get enough of the view. I tried to take pictures from every new angle I saw as we walked around. I mentioned if you went left you could go towards the cliff path, but if you continue straight you will find yourself by an old tower. The line was incredibly long to get inside so we skipped it, but if you wait you can go inside and to the roof where I bet the view of the landscape is even more beautiful.

Once we were done we did visit the tourist center which had a gift shop, a cafe and an entire entertainment experience that taught you about the cliffs as well as the wildlife that lives there (such as puffins and seals!)

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Finally we departed for Galway. It was about an hour's drive or so, but the city is amazing! You can get lost so easily in the streets just looking at all the different pubs and shops. Chad and I decided to grab cocktails and food at The Dail Bar, which had been recommended from our tour guide. It definitely did not disappoint! I mean, just look at this gorgeous drink:

Eventually it was time to head back onto the bus for a long ride back to Dublin. This entire experience was amazing and I would highly recommend it to others who are looking to do as much as you can in Ireland if you are not there for an extended period of time. This was our third day in the Ireland, but on the fourth day of our vacation we would find ourselves in an entirely different country - the United Kingdom.

"Half the fun of travel is the aesthetic of lostness."