Above: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Above: The Giants Causeway.
Above: Galway, Ireland.
Above: Cliffs of Moher and other random sights.
Above: Dublin, Ireland.
The brief time we spent in Northern Ireland and Ireland was not enough! If, no when I travel back I’ll rent a car and buy a tent these would be key. The long and narrow windy roads that lead one through the lush and picturesque lands need time to be appreciated. We stayed at the Vagabonds hostel in Belfast, Northern Ireland which offered a chill vibe, an authentic backpackers hostel with staff like extended family. Making friends had never been so easy, especially with some hardcore games of cards changing polite interactions into humorous ribbing and razing.
The Cliffs of Moher are a must for anyone travelling in these parts. With the longest cliff drop a heart racing 700m, they made my internal alarm system go off approaching the edge. Sitting on the edge gocking down with my heart in my throat, I didnt appreciate the shear drop until walking back and seeing the tiny people dwarfed by the gargantuan cliffs. We did a tour via bus stopping at different spots from fairy trees with supernatural influences to amazing rock formations.
Our brief and final stop in Ireland was Dublin. We were well informed about the history of old Dub’ by a funny and energetic walking tour guide. We learned about a plaque commemorating a fake priest bolted on a bridge and a disturbing satirical story named A Modest Proposal, which involves eating humans. Of course the Guiness Museum was paid some attention, a modern interactive exhibit explaining the history and future of the company. And a pint of Guiness. We were treated with some beauty hospitality and conversation hanging out at a local pub. What started with one pint ended several hours later glowing and full from our new friends generous supply of deep fried godliness. Ready to shake a leg we had trouble with the door and were quickly inform by the drunken bar jester the proper way out, he left us with a hilarious set of curse words describing our inability to exit. We laughed all the way home.
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The palaces, cathedrals, and architecture do not disappoint, especially when they’re lit up at night! Prague has a great charm, even though it is buzzing with visitors. Upon arrival we walked 4km from the train stop to the hostel with our big backpacks – it would have been entertaining to see us dodging, bobbing and weaving through the crowds!
Prague is a city where it’s great to just walk around! The beauty of the city is evident when looking down most of the streets! And to beat the heat, we ducked into several basement pubs for a cold Czech beer! It’s great having beer cheaper than water or Coca-Cola! My kind of place.
We also stopped in the Museum of Communism, which gave a very interesting view of typical life in the country during the Cold War era. Prague played an important role in the eventual collapse of the USSR with its Velvet Revolution, in which it peacefully transitioned from a communist state to a democratic state. Fascinating history. We also checked out a memorial to the victims of communism – which is the ghoulish looking photo below.
We’re getting ready to head off to Vienna, Austria tomorrow. From there we head east! Until then!
Cheers, Shawn
We made it to Krakow, Poland! On the first evening we found a very chill pub that brews its own beer. The honey beer was to die for! If anyone plans to visit Poland, their beer is top rate! Not only their beer, but their food as well.
We walked into a little restaurant that was attached to a family’s home. Even though we didn’t speak Polish, and our host didn’t speak English, we were able to order a delicious dinner of bacon/cheese pierogies with sauerkraut. On top of this, the prices are great!
But we did more than eat and drink the whole time! Some of the highlights include wandering around the beautiful square, and running into a live outdoors concert. A group of about 12 singers were performing traditional Polish songs – along with honouring the service personnel in Poland’s military.
During one day in Poland, we made a trip out to Auschwitz, the ominous Nazi extermination camp. I knew that this was going to be a heavy experience, but seeing the mountains of prisoners’ shoes, baby clothes, and human hair was very shocking. A staggering 1.2 million people lost their lives here, many of whom were Jewish people. We remember those who lost their lives here, and ensure that nothing like this happens again.
Our time in Poland has been great. The vibe, food, and people were fantastic. I definitely recommend visiting Poland for my fellow travellers. From Krakow we head east to Prague, in the Czech Republic. Until then!
Cheers,
Shawn
Hi everyone,
Due to a recent purchase of a chess board, I’ve been distracted from my blog writing! I’ll try harder to establish a better work/personal life balance, hehe.
We made our way into Germany – first to Cologne and then to Berlin. Cologne was a very chill city to relax and recharge. After traveling for over two months, we’ve come to realize that downtime is a definite must!
Right near our hostel was the beautiful Cologne Cathedral, a fascinating and huge gothic church. Check out the photos. Other highlights include the Roman-German Museum, which contains a vast array of Roman ruins from the era of the Roman Empire, and much more. A must for history buffs everywhere!
On the 30th anniversary of my life’s journey, we hopped a bus to Berlin. Berlin is a city of beauty, history, and charm. We visited the Topography of Terror, a museum outlining the horrors of the Nazi regime. This was certainly a heavy visit, one to remember those who died/suffered under the regime, and to ensure that it never happens again.
We also visited the remaining portions of the Berlin Wall – quite something to see in person. I can only image what it was like to be here when the wall originally fell! Other highlights of the city include the Brandenburg Gate, the Pergamon Museum (ancient civilizations), the Neues Museum (ancient Egypt), and the Altes Museum (a collection of artifacts, coins, and exhibits from ancient civilizations. Very interesting!
From Berlin we head out to Krakow, Poland. Onwards and forwards!
Cheers, Shawn
Above is the grand castle of Edinburgh, imagine walking past that everyday.
Below a picture gallery of the castle.
Below is a Noble prize for medicine, the closest ill ever get to one. It resides in the National Museum of Scotland.
Above is the Millennium Clock in the National Museum of Scotland.
“A timepiece which contains fragments of the story of the millennium, with its disasters, tragedies, but also its human, scientific and artistic achievements.”
From http://www.sharmanka.com/Home/Millenium_Clock.html
Below are some random pictures of Edinburgh. Loved the city the few dys we spent weren’t nearly enough.
Amsterdam is a city like none other! When we flew into the Amsterdam airport, the border officer asked, “What are you doing in the Netherlands?” We replied, “We’re staying at a hostel downtown.” He looked at us, stamped our passports, and replied, “Have fun!”
And fun we had. Jon and I met up with our buddy Mike, who we knew from back in Canada. Now we’re the Canadian trio meandering around Europe! The first day in Amsterdam we wandered around the city and found out some bizarre facts:
The Netherlands has a long history of accepting outsiders and permitting social aspects that may be considered taboo. Some examples include religious tolerance before its neighbours, providing a safe environment for those in the prostitution trade, and legalizing marijuana. While these issues are contentious in many parts of the world, Amsterdam has found a way to make it work.
Instead of condemning others for various perceived vices, it may serve the greater good to look at these issues in a real world context, and remember who is worthy to throw the first stone.
Now I promise I’ll get off the soapbox! We checked out some fantastic sites, including the Vincent van Gogh Museum. This 19th century Dutch artist added so much to art as we know it today. A fascinating artist, personality, and legacy! We also checked out the Rijksmuseum, which showcases numerous art pieces, artifacts, and historical exhibits. If you’re in Amsterdam, you must check it out!
While in Amsterdam, we arrived for the worst storm recorded ever for the month of July. While we were wandering around the van Gogh Museum, trees were being ripped from their roots, the trams were shut down, and many umbrellas met their maker! My umbrella was not sparred… luckily I had a poncho that my Dad gave to me prior to starting the trip! Thanks Dad!
All in all, Amsterdam was a blast. Now we head into Germany. Cheers!
I nabbed a few photos from the following site: http://www.amsterdam.info. They permit use of their photos so long as they are credited – I’m getting good with all this copyright stuff!
Ireland was a blast! From Belfast we hopped a bus to the Republic of Ireland, to Galway City. This chill little city was hosting its annual Galway International Arts Festival. The exhibits included a giant whale air balloon, many amazing surreal sculptures by Patricia Paccinini, and much more. Very cool!
We took a day trip from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher. These are some fantastic ocean cliffs that rise 120 meters above the Atlantic Ocean. Standing at the edge and dangling our feet over the edge was quite the experience! We also checked out some fantastic castles.
We then hopped accross the country to Dublin! We had a great pub experience while in the city. We skipped the very touristy Temple Bar area, and found a local pub called The Deer’s Head. The people we met were very friendly and generous. We ended up staying for six hours, but only paid for a few beers. When we shared our backpacking stories and plans, our new friends kept feeding us Guinness, chicken wings, and fries! A true Dublin experience! If you’re in Dublin, check out The Deer’s Head!
Included with the photos is a rather strange statue of Lady Justice. She’s holding her sword in an offensive position, with her back facing the people. Back when the British occupied Ireland, they had a different sense of justice! Not to fear, however, as the Republic of Ireland obtained its freedom in 1921. The history of Ireland is quite fascinating – I recommend Googling it!
Now off to Amsterdam! We’ll try to behave ourselves – until then!
Cheers,
Shawn
Freely Wander 