July 30

7/30 - Galway

We got an early bus tour that took us to this farm first, and later to the Cliffs of Moher.  

Maryanne thought this guy looked like Bill Nye!

An old tomb!

The farm tour was alright, but we were upset because we couldn't go to the top of the burren (hills) and we thought we were getting free apple pie at the end.  It was still cool, though.  We hiked up the burren, which looks like a hill solely covered in rock but is actually quite fertile.  We walked side by side with cattle and even saw a fairy tree where people tie their problems.  

 

From the burren you could see a beautiful landscape. 

 

Our irritatedness faded when we got back on the big coach bus and once again started moving past the stunning western Ireland landscape.  Soon we arrived at the Cliffs of Moher, and words really can't give justice to how great these cliffs are.  You really just have to see them!  

 

 

After spending an hour at the cliffs we got back on the bus and stopped for a great lunch.  The tour was closed to ending but we still had time to see a castle.  And actually not only see it, but walk around the entire castle! 

 

 

 

 

 

At this point the tour was over, but Karen and Maryanne were excited because they had shopping to do.  What kind of shopping you ask? The best kind, souvenir shopping! Gotta love Maryanne's enthusiasm.  Karen needed to get her mom a sweater and Kevin, John, and her dad socks.  While we were worried that we wouldn't find quality things because the stores close so early, we did find REALLY great stuff!  Although I almost forgot to mention earlier that it must be told that we spent a solid 42 minutes picking out these souvenirs, so they really are great!! I think Maryanne may have been annoyed with the amount of time we spent shopping...  And now we were hungry so it was off to a real Irish pub, The Merry Fiddler!  The food was okay, but what made this experience really great was the live music.  There were two guys, two guitars, and two banjos.  They played traditional Irish music, plus one Johnny Cash song.  

 

They were so good that we had to go to an ATM to take out 20 euro and have Guinnesses!  After the drinks we were both sleepy, but before we left I must write about Maryanne's friends.  This Irish bloke came right up to Maryanne and rubbed her arm, when he realized he actually did not know her he awkwardly tried to make up for it the rest of the night.  Even going so far as to ask the band to play a song for us.  Anywho, we left, went to McDonald's for free WiFi, and there is where July 31st began...