Ireland Or Bust

DUBLIN

Did you know the first St. Patrick's Day celebration was in the US in 1962 and not in Ireland? WTF? I found this out when I tried to make it to the Shamrock island for the celebration. However, after talking to a few Irish peeps...and failing to book a hostel a year in advance, it wasn't going to happen. I went to wish the Irish a Happy St. Patricks day anyway...just a few days later. If there is one thing the Irish know how to do well, it's to drink! They even turned one their Cathedrals into a bar called "The Church" and what a beautiful bar it is.  So, obviously a pub crawl was mandetory when Heath and I got to Dublin. We got our Guinness, I danced all night and the morning was like nails on a chalk board. However, the real reason we made the voyage over the Irish Sea was to pay a visit to Heath's cousin Tony and fam.

My first Guinness

Dublin Castle

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Dublin, Ireland

"The Church"

COUNTY MAYO, BALLINA

Few! I made it from Dublin alive. It was rough. I  think I had Heath worried when I was breaking out in cold sweats and cursing Mr. Patrick himself on the bus ride from Dublin to Ballina. At times like this there's is no place like home (any home) and Heath's Cousin and family welcomed us with open arms.

pics of Ballina

Coast of County Mayo

Cousins!

Target Practice 

Ben sending us off.

BELFAST

Heath described it perfectly. Belfast...a city that looks like it got its heart broken. This is true, but there is much more to Belfast than bullet holes and home to the Titanic.  It's a place that really is a little rough around the edges, but Heath and I joined in on the popin' Uni life in the hip cafes and concert venues. oh, and the famous Crown Bar. Fun! 

There is so much history to take in here and the vibe of a hostile past is very much still alive in everyday life. We made a point to check out the "Peace Wall" which has been standing longer than the Berlin Wall and we made our mark. See...Jayla and Heath were here!

SF was here!

Postin up at Crown Bar

The Murals

Peace Wall

CAUSEWAY COAST

This was the most beautiful of landscapes in Northern Ireland. Especially since you can drive for miles and miles and will always be able to see a house, or a wall, or a farm...just a land that has been trampled over. But the Causeway coast was incredible! Heath and I hopped on a bus in Belfast and barged up to "The Giant's Causeway".  Mother nature surely couldn't be responsible for something so fascinating!

The Giant's Causway

The Organ

Perfect Polygons

Dunluce Castle behind us.

Stop at the Bushmills Distillery 

I was happy we made it to Ireland and was happy to leave. Had a blast as you can see , but it was time to get back to the main land! 

Time to visit Charley...and Belgium!

My travels have picked up some speed, and again...I leave the blog-a-boo in the dust. My bad. In an effort to make up for some lost time I thought I'd recap while on my non-stop bus ride as I'm currently traveling through the state of Bavaria on my journey from Munich to Prague. How I got to this point...it's a long story, but I cant wait to tell.

I last left off telling a bit about the cool city of Amsterdam, but between Amsterdam and Paris I made a pit stop to visit my friend Charley in Belgium. I met Charley last year in San Francisco when he was traveling through the States, so when the opportunity came to go to Belgium...I of course had to pay him a visit. I arrived in Gent which is right outside of Brussels and he and his roommate Joe were kind enough to have me as their house guest for the week. 

Gent was great! The first night I was there Charley and Joe took me out to show me around. The town was glowing. It was a quite Wednesday night, but the medieval city was charming as ever. Look how beautiful...

Riverside at night in Gent, Belgium

Lights of Gent, Belgium

Day time on the River

The history of the city is on every street corner. I spent my days wondering by ancient sites intertwined with modern day living. I never tire of seeing a Castle that I know represents more that what meets they eye...but it's the History behind these old relics that fascinates me. Gent does a wonderful job of explaining its history in the S.T.A.M. This museum traces a chronological pathway from Gents earliest history to now! I kicked it there for a good 4 hours. Whew!

S.T.A.M.

The Gravensteen Castle\

Never know what you will find on a stroll though Gent.

There I am

Graffiti Street

I even took a day trip to beautiful and enchanting Bruges. Unfortunately, I didn't get too much time there because I jumped on the wrong train and ended up on my way to Antwerp. Crap! I made it eventually, but definitely did not do this little gem of a town any justice. I did, however, manage to snap some pics.

The city is a Wold Heritage Site of UNESCO!

Ok, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Belgium? Mmmm, yes...Beer and Chocolate! That's what I thought you were going to say. How could I go to Belgium and not experience what the country is famous for? So i did...with great happiness. 

I got a box here

Joe, Me and Charley...out on the town.

I had a great time during my visit to Gent. It was so bizarre seeing my friend Charley again after so long and now on the other side of the world. I love that  about travel...connecting with people from all over the world and now, thanks to facebook...staying in touch. Charley, thanks for showing me your town!

Oh, Dam!

If I could find one place in the world that would be perfect to celebrate my 26th Birthday...I think I chose right. And, if I could choose anyone to spend it with...I chose right again! 

I immediately emailed Mr. Heath Pope who was working in New Zealand and on the cusp of embarking on some travels of his own. If anyone would be down for an adventure on such short notice...it would be Heath. I wrote "Heath! You, Me...Amsterdam!" and the rest in history.

Me and Heath

There is no place in the world like Amsterdam. It is famous and rightfully so. This enchanting, canal laced city is humming and I was excited to see what all the fuss was about. 

Only here can you walk into a coffee shop and select from a smorgasbord of green treats or look at a menu of magical truffles for your choosing. Everything is "tolerated" here as long as you follow the city's golden rule "Do what you want, but don't harm anyone else while you're doing it". Brilliant! There is one exception though...look both ways not only for cars, but Bikes because they will hit you! And with the heavy traffic flow and fast pace of Amsterdam's bike coalition this will cause great harm!

Although it might sound like a place of excess and mind altering consumption it is quite tame, for it regulates itself and is well looked after by its own people. The only rough and rowdy crowd you'll find are foreigners in the Red-light district on a Saturday night. Bachelor Parties flock to Europe's Sin City to drink and "window shop" down the narrow alley ways. Ladies don't be fooled, you'll find our kind scarce late night here... unless of course you're on the other side of the glass door turning tricks for a living. Yikes! That's right, prostitution is legal, but forget about the pimps...these woman are considered entrepreneurs. 

After the initial shock passes you can find yourself easily filling the days here. Heath and I rented and apartment right on the canal. Cheyenne had stayed there a while back and hooked us up with Allan at www.bedandnet.com. This place was dope. We got upgraded to the pent-house suite and settled into our new home away from home for the next week. 

Out on the balcony at the new digs

The Pent House Suite

The Heineken Brewery was a must! It was more like an interactive"experience" than a working brewery, but it was rad. Check out these hilarious shots:

Where do you think you're going with my beer?

M'dam your hand is on my Heine

Why yes, I am the girl from the Heineken label!

Prost! Cheers in Dutch.

Heath, Heineken was happy to brew you.

The Van Gogh Museum good, but failed to really impress. Starry Night was a no show, but the rumor is all the famous paintings are in the head offices at Toyota! 

We also boarded a Canal Cruise that wove through he narrow waterways that make this city so unique. The house boats that line the canal edges are so cool and we were able to see the city from a different perspective...oh, and hear a little history along the way.

Houses facing the Canal

House Boat chillen

Heath and I did it up! Amsterdam has a captivating beauty that is original, tranquil and will leave you with lots of stories!!!  I couldn't possibly tell all, but perhaps the pics will explain our crazy adventures better than I can. Either that, or you'll have to experience it yourself. And with all the pun intended...I would Highly recommend it! ;-)

Bonjour, Paris!

Enchanting, fashionable, fabulous. You just can't go wrong with a city like Paris. Absolutely one of the most beautiful in the world! Hey, without trying to sound like a traveling guru (I'm still in training)...I feel much more qualified to make such a statement. After 6 months of my travels it's places like Paris that keep me energized. So far, it's in my top 5 cities of all time. I know..bold statement, but believe me...it's well deserved.

My mom and I met up with cousin Karen to start round two of our girls trip! I was great that Karen had been to Paris many times before so she could lead us to all the great spots. And again...we did it all. I climbed to the top of the Arc De Triomphe to get the best view of the whole city, hit up the Louve and saw the worlds most famous painting...(that's right, I'm talking about the Mona Lisa), had a peaceful moment in the Notre Dame cathedral, bustled around the greatest shopping districts the city has to offer (and I'm counting the flee market as one of those) and watched the artists at work at Montmartre. Really, it is not hard to fill the days in Paris. However, there is one night that stands out above all....

The true Paris experience should include champagne, croissants, and a sidewalk cafe. All of which we experienced whole heatedly, but it was the night we had a fabulous dinner at the Eiffel Tower and went to the Moulin Rouge show where Paris captured my heart forever.

This was a huge splurge and a treat from my Mom and Karen...Thank you! 

Moulin Rouge

Me, Mom and Karen

Arc De Triomph

Mom got a sketch done at Montmartre

I know, I know...It seems like I say that I love every place that I go, but it only seems like that because I can find something in any city that is unique and exciting. But Paris, Paris is arguably the coolest place ever. :) Its got style, the language is sexy and it simply took my breath away. Since writing this I've already gone back!

Girls got hops

Wow! It's even more incredible in real life.