Cork, Blarney, and Kinsale

Our second leg of the trip involved making our way to Cork where Denise lives! I've gotta say, it was really exciting having an Irish friend who was able to show us around, have us over to her apartment for tea, and even pick us up in her car to take us to Blarney. I know not many people get to have such an intimate experience when they travel abroad, so it is one that  Mom and I are thankful for!

Denise's lovely park job on the sidewalk.

Blarney Castle

Palm Trees in Ireland?! Well all right then.

An Irish Gnome! This one's for Jane :)

About to kiss the Blarney Stone!

Getting the Gift of Gab...like mom and I really need that!

Getting into position. I think I'm thinking, "Is my life really in your hands sir?!"

Kissing the Blarney Stone!

The view from Denise's apartment

A Heineken Factory

Listening to Traditional Irish Music

A Bailey's Coffee and a Cider...yum!

After our exciting day in Cork & Blarney, the weekend came to an end and Denise had to go back to work. Mom and I were on our own and we...duh duh duh...had to go pick up our car! Our little, cute, white, car in which we had to drive on the other side of the road. We were TERRIFIED to say the least. I had had so much fun in the cities and with Denise, that it was kind of scary thinking about being on our own and driving through an unknown country. But I must say, my mom ROCKED it! It took about a day or two for our nerves to calm down and before we knew it she was driving without even really thinking about it. She was even passing people on the freeway! We did a little day trip to a quaint fishing town called Kinsale to get used to the driving.

"Excuse me Sir...Where are we?"

That afternoon, we made it back to Cork safe and sound and in one piece, and parked the car for the rest of the evening. We met up with Denise for one last dinner together since our trip was going to lead us to the west side of the country the following morning. It was a fabulous few days being able to hang out with Denise again and I can't wait to see her again in 2014 for her first trip to America - My and Colin's Wedding!!! See you soon luvy :)

Dublin and Giant's Causeway

Mum and I went to Ireland for ten whole days. It is a trip that isn't for everyone. The weather is fickle and there is a lot of driving involved if you don't choose a tour bus. (We wanted to be free to come and go as we pleased.)  But for us, it was one of the most beautiful countries we've ever seen. The people are so kind, personable, and helpful. There are narrow, windy roads. There are a lot of pubs and beer. And there are sheep everywhere!!

We have always talked about going to Ireland and on Christmas day we decided that 2013 was the year to do it because we were both pretty ready to say buh-bye to 2012. It's something we kind of said, but I never really thought we'd get there. But we did. And it was a wonderful mother-daughter vacation. And for the people who kept telling us to enjoy it because it was going to be our "last hurrah," that just doesn't make any sense to me and I hope that mum and I are able to have many more vacations together in our lifetime.

We arrived in Dublin on a Thursday morning and had some severe jet lag. The change from spring weather to winter weather also caught us off guard. We roamed the streets for awhile, got some pub grub, and had our first Guinness of the trip!

Jet lagged and freezing, but hey...at least I'm engaged!!

All your St. Patrick's Day garb come true!

Obligatory Dublin Temple Bar photo. Go Owls!!

First Guinness of the trip at the Church Bar!

Our Pub Grub Dinner....plus a real live Irishman on his phone. Haha.

The next day we did the Dublin hop on-hop off bus. It was a great way to see the city and the weather was beautiful! That evening my friend Denise (who I met in Korea) traveled up from Cork where she lives to meet us for the weekend! It had been 2 and a half years since I had seen her and it was truly like no time had passed at all. 

Our first Full Irish Breakfast. We were NOT diggin the blood pudding!!

Molly Malone

They may look like statues, but don't be fooled! They are real people!

You can dress her up, but you can't take her out!

St. Stephen's Green

The smallest pub in Dublin...

...and maybe the world!

Trinity College

The Book of Kells

The Guinness Storehouse

My very own Guinness Ad!

Our free Guinness at the Gravity Bar which had a 360 degree view of Dublin. It was absolutely gorgeous!

Denise and me Reunited!!

On Saturday, the three of us caught a tour bus at 7:00 am up to Northern Ireland to cross the rope bridge to Carrick-a-rede, see the Giant's Causeway, and stop in Belfast for one hour. I am really glad we did this because these places were a bit too far to drive ourselves, plus it was absolutely gorgeous! Denise had never been, so she was excited to accompany us as well!

This is just part one of our journey...more to come in my next few posts! Also, I have no idea why my camera's time stamp has us in the year 2000, but I assure you, this trip just happened and I was not there when I was 14!