Em's Dailies..

They say when in Rome do what the Romans do. I say when in Ireland, do what the Irish do! Eat, drink, dance, hear music, chat, be crazy, be merry and be happy! I really looked like a zombie, and for a while it felt like it. But hey, I don't get to do pubbing everytime especially with these guys beside me, from left, Kang, James-san (heheheh), Avril, and Aiko.

Here's something to brag about! Here's what conquering fear is all about! My gracious host and wacky friend Seint took this one for me. A new pal, Alo actually shook the rope bridge so hard that I started screaming 'Stop it!'. But he kept on shaking it and I thought I was going to have a heart attack. After that, honestly, I felt relieved and freed.

1. I'd put the hospitality of the Irish from Cork. Everyone's been so helpful and accommodating and chatty and they are just so charming. A middle-aged lady bought us a pint of Muphy's (Irish stout ~ tastes a lot better than Guinness!). Avril has been so kind, she took us clubbing and pubbing and she taught me the Irish dance! Dervdre has always been so helpful always giving advises where great restaurants are. The taxi drivers who are always amusing and they have all these stories to tell.
2. Crossing the hanging bridge somewhere in Northern Ireland. I won't brag until I have the pictures to post! :)
3. The Trinity College visit. Seeing The Book Of Kells and the school's old library. As I sat at the benches looking at these hopeful students, I can't help but miss my college years. I should have tried to enjoy my own college life more. Ahh, it feels good to be young.
4. A walk in Paris. I got lost in Paris. Lost in translation. Lost my way. And they were all trying to talk to me in Japanese. They actually thought I was one! In UK, they addressed me as the Chinese girl. What the @#$%! It was a highlight but a moment of contemplation as well. What am I really? Sometimes I also don't know. Oh...speaking of Paris, I've never seen such bright and many stars in my life. Wow.
5. Seeing Seint and meeting his friends in Northern Ireland.

Lessons learned

1. For budget purposes always consider round-trip tickets. It will save you a lot!
2. Call friends before actually flying. I couldn't contact Mimi's number. He contact number was simply not reachable!
3. Have a rough itenerary to plan for shoes and proper clothes. Bring adaptors! Bring extra camera batteries. City maps are always handy just like train and bus timetables.
4. Sometimes it is much cheaper to go on a city tour so you'll get a good perspective of the city and you get to choose which you'd rather spend your precious time on.
5. It is always cheaper to travel with a companion. And more fun too!

Hat's Off!

1. My flat, silver shoes made it big in Europe! People just couldn't help but compliment how cute it is! :) I'm so proud of you my shoes, we've been through the city on casual clothes, to the office on semi-formal, through farms and distilleries, to rough terrains and even through mountains and sea side..This particular shoes is indeed the best companion I've had in years.
2. I crossed the hanging bridge! It was a high suspension bridge and I was able to control my fear. Hat's off to me of course!
3. During my trip, there was absolutely no work done, no email checking! Good thing I don't have a phone hahahaha.

<Ireland In A Nutshell!>

I've always dreamt of seeing stone henges. I've been actually planning to go to Peru to visit the Incas. But, when my friends took me to the Great Cause Way, I got more than I've always wanted to see. I was treated to a spectacle, one that only nature can actually create. Look at these rocks, they are close up shots of what seem to be stone henges, piles of rounded stones one on top of the other. These are so tall, perhaps around 30-50 meters. But what is so amazing is that these are not human engineered, absolutely no human effort was exerted to pile up these stones, nature did it! Isn't it a miracle? If you take a look at the rings, they are shaped consistently, truly a world heritage and a wonder....Someday I may have to see the real stone henges somewhere in Alaska, but for now, I will treasure the moment's awe! The most likely artist behind these nature's paintings? ~ The Atlantic Ocean. I'm currently standing a stone throw away from Scotland :)

A snapshot of Trinity College's old library that houses The Books Of Kells ~ one of the world's oldest original writings of the 4 gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. The scribes are so curly and colorful and I couldn't understand a single word hehehehe...Although, I observed that the Italians seem to recognize some words. Two of the books are on display that are enclosed by glass. They actually don't look that old, surprisingly. But what amazed me even more was the old libary's long room. It was exactly how it looked like in Harry Potter. Yup yup, with high shelves, ladders, and statues of great authors. It was creepy, eerie and dusty! Too bad I have bad allergy to dust that I couldn't last for more than 1 minute in that room.

Vacation Highlights * The Christ Church, Dublin's oldest building dating back to the 12th century. This cathedral witnessed coronations of 4 kings and is home to Ireland's historical treasures.