What in the world are we doing?: 12 days, 4 countries, 3 friends and 2 cousins!

It seems like we have really got the swing of European Travel. We actually took a proper, extended holiday for this trip, and managed to fit in 4 countries, 3 friends, and 2 cousins. Ah, travel in Europe is so easy! (Be prepared - this is going to be a long post!)

Our trip started in Galway, as I had some work meetings there. Thus, the DAY started with a 2 hr train ride ALL the way across the entire country of the Netherlands to Amsterdam. Then a 1.5 hr plane ride to Dublin, which was followed by a 2 hr bus ride ALL the way across the entire country of Ireland to Galway. Yep, that’s right. I traversed two entire countries by ground transport all before 2pm. Certainly couldn't do that in either Australia or the USA.

After the work was finished Scott joined me and we had an extra day to see the sights of western Ireland. We really wanted to see the Cliffs of Moher, and it seemed like the best option was a day trip. We chose one that included Dunguaire Castle, Corcomroe abbey, a dolmen, a fairy fort, another castle, celtic crosses, etc and of course the cliffs. I should have figured out from the timing and the description that this was going to be a massive bus tour, and we would just drive by some of these things, or if we were lucky, jump out for 10 mins to get a picture. That said, it was still a good day and we did get to see lots of great thing, even if it wasn’t our ideal way to travel. On our return to Galway we managed to fit in a quick tour of all the main sites, and finished the day with a well-earned Guinness/cider.

Dunguaire Castle

Poulnabrone Dolmen

Celtic High Cross in Kilfenora

Cliffs of Moher

Scott at the King's Head pub

Next stop, Dublin to pick up my cousins Pam and Jim and to head up the coast to Belfast. We had rented a car this time so could do a bit more wandering, stopping, and looking at really cool old stuff! We saw Monasterboice Monastery with its celtic crosses. Yep, they are big, I had to get Scott and Jim in the photos to give perspective. Then on to Proleek Dolmen which is located on a very nice golf course, and to one of my personal favorites, Legananny Dolmen . Now this dolmen was in the middle of nowhere, was rather underwhelming by comparison, but it had the best description board – “Legananny has featured in every tourist’s photo album" (note there were NO other tourists within miles!!). Then on to Ballynoe Stone Circle, Inch Abbey and Killyleagh Castle (which is a private residence now!!)

Celtic cross at Monasterboice

Another Celtic cross at Monasterboice

Proleek Dolmen

Legananny Dolmen

Ballynoe

Inch Abbey

Killyleagh Castle

Next stop – Belfast, Northern Ireland. We started our day with a black cab tour of the city. We learned all about the “troubles” from both perspectives and saw both sides of the city. I was surprised to see that there is still a “peace wall” that is in place and operational that separates the Catholics from the Protestants. Both sides say they still want it and make them feel better. Houses along the wall still have their back yards caged in, for protection. Then to Crumlin Road Jailhouse. After this very serious morning, we needed something a bit cheerier, so off to the local markets, and then some wondering around the downtown area (city hall, titanic ship yards, etc) and of course, a beverage!

One of many murals on Black Cab Tour

One of many murals on Black Cab Tour - this one was creepy, the eyes of the gunman follow you!

The Peace Wall

Homes next to the peace wall

Interesting man - he was in prison when he was voted into Parliment!

Crumlin Road Jail

City Hall

Ship yards

The next day included a drive up to the Giant’s Causeway and ending in Derry. Of course, we had to see some more great old things on the way, including Carrickfergus and Dunluce Castle. We took the coastal drive and it had amazing scenery and some great little glens. Granted, yes, it was raining and cloudy, but it was still beautiful, and eventually that passed and we had a beautiful day. The Giant’s causeway is amazing, and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Yep, lots of tourists, but totally worth it.

Carrickfergus Castle

Jim and Scott checking out the natives - although I really love their style of fencing here!

Bit of a traffic jam in one of the glens.

Apparently cows like walking on the beach too!

Giant's Causeway

Giant's Causeway - Pam and Jim just taking it all in!

Nothing like climbing all over a UNESCO world heritage site!

The happy travelling cousins

Giant's Causeway

Dunluce Castle - apparently at one point the kitchen fell into the sea - and the lady of castle said that was last straw

Ok, little side note here. What is with the PINK in Northern Ireland. I had started to notice that there were lots of pink things in Belfast – cars, homes, etc. But it just got worse as we made our way north. I get that there was some event on for the Giro de Italia, but some of these things are permanently pink and couldn’t just have been painted pink for that event. So anyone that may be of help of this, your input is appreciated!

Yep, those are pink sheep!

Next stop – Derrry/Londonderry – depends on which side you support. We stopped her to visit one of Scott’s trainer friends. However, Graham had family commitments, so we only managed a very quick catch up with him at his gym. A quick trip around the walls of Derry (it is one of the only cities that still has its old city walls intact!), and then back on the road to Dublin. Of course, now that we were in Dublin it was time for some more Guinness and some traditional Irish music!

Scott and Graham at Crossfit Derry

More murals in Derry - especially focused on Bloody Sunday

On the walls of Derry

Ah, Guinness!

Enjoying a bit of Irish music (he was actually quite good!)

We then had 2 more days of touring around Dublin. We saw all the usual suspects – Book of Kells and the Long Hall at Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, Temple Bar, Guinness Storehouse and Croke Park. All were really great but two things of particular note. 1) We took the guided tour in Christ Church Cathedral (which somehow worked out to be cheaper than just a regular visit??). This tour was absolutely fabulous. If you ever go, you must do this tour. Great insight into the church and history, but as an added bonus, you get to climb the bell tower, walk along roof and actually ring the bells!! And 2) We took the tour of Croke Park. This was less than stellar. Croke Park is the major sporting venue in Ireland, and you cannot dispute that it is the home of Irish Sport (especially in Sept). While the park and museum are quite cool, the tour was not. Very disorganised and certainly geared towards a local. Really not worth your time if you go.

Long Hall at Trinity College

Old Post Office (site of the 1916 Easter uprising)

Burial site of Strongbow in Christ Church Cathedral - Interesting Fact: if two people make a deal, spit in their hands, shake on it and then slap Strongbow in the face (and there is a witness) then this deal is legally binding in the court of law!!

On the Christ Church Cathedral roof - Jim didn't really like the size of the doors

Christ Church Cathedral

At the Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness really does taste better in Dublin

A well earned rest after a day of touring

Croke Park

Scott tries out skills at hurling

At this point we say good-bye to Pam and Jim – it was really great to tour with family. We always have a great time with these two and this trip was no exception. As it was public holidays in many European countries, we extended our holiday and heading over to Copenhagen, Denmark. We start our first day with a return to normal of doing lots and lots of walking around town. We see lots of cool statues, architecture and squares. We did manage to time it right to see the changing of the guard at Amalienborg Castle (the current royal palace). We wanted to go to Christiansborg palace but the stables were only open after 1:30, so we decided to come back. GREAT decision. By the time we came back we were able to see the stables and then make the free guided tour of the reception rooms. This was a great way to see these rooms and we got lots of cool stories and histories. The tapestries that were here were very unique (modern and colourful). And, of course, we might have found a brew pub to have an after dinner drink. The second day was more walking, and included the King’s Gardens, and Rosenborg Castle and the crown jewels. Note: do NOT go in here when there is a tour bus there – we couldn’t see anything and had to backtrack after they left. We also walked out to the Citadel and the Little Mermaid Statue. The citadel is a nice walk and one of Northern Europe’s best preserved fortifications, and the little mermaid is underwhelming.

Hans Christian Andersen - or HC as the locals call him

Nytorv square - great for an afternoon sit down

Old stock exchange and Christiansborg Palace

Nyhavn - great little harbour area

Changing of guards - not quite Buckingham Palace - but still pretty cool.

The Marble Church

Tapestries inside Christiansborg Palace

Round Tower - great for a view over the city

Yummy beers and great name - Brew Pub

Royal Thrones and guard lions at Rosenborg Palace

Now that is a crown!

Citadel

The Little Mermaid

Then it was time to head out of Denmark and take the ferry over to Sweden to meet up with Kat and Pete. This part of the trip was a bit more relaxing as we focused on catching up with our friends and meeting their very very cute little daughter Holly. That said, we did still manage to get lots of walking in. They live in a little town, Fladie, outside of Malmo. We had the morning to explore Malmo by ourselves, so wandered around old town, went to the flower show (what else do you when the flower show is in town!), saw some old churches, etc, and then meet up with Kat, Pete and Holly for lunch. After lunch, more walking and sightseeing in Malmo. This time out to the Turning Torso (or is that the Twisting Torso, Pete??) and views over the harbour. There is a really really cool bridge here (The Oresund Bridge) that goes from Sweden to Denmark. It starts out as a bridge on the Sweden side and then after 8km, it disappears into the sea at a man-made island and continues a further 4km as a tunnel into Denmark. It is an amazing engineering structure and lots of interesting facts about it (like the fact that it carries cars and trains, even though the trains run on two different voltages in the two countries!!). We finished this evening relaxing back at their house and learning a Swedish game, Kubb. It has some interesting (and questionable) rules, but was a good way to spend the long summer afternoons! Yep, the days are super long now in Northern Europe. Sunrise at 4:30am and sunset at 9:30, but the long rays of sun are out long before this, with it still being daylight well past 10pm! The next (and last day) started out relaxed and a great walk and brunch along the coast, followed by a quick trip to Lund before we headed back home.

All in all a very very great trip, and was great to catch up with so many friends and family and see so much more of Europe.