Day 3- Killarney
So Gentle Reader,
With a long Day Two behind us, we hooked our train to Exclusive Resorts Once in a Lifetime tour. Exclusive Resorts (ER)Luxury Vacations, Residences & Travel Destinations | Exclusive Resorts is not a cheap option, but as one recent tour goer explained- it’s the Four Seasons of tours. On a Once in Lifetime trip, all I really need is my passport and a couple of credit cards and my kids- ER would figure out how to make me whole on arrival.
Dublin, Part 2
After a delicious breakfast, we walked across the street (remember to look both directions) to the Dublin Palace. Essentially, the Dublin Palace was the White House for Centuries. Under the castle, is the old castle from the date when Dublin was a walled city. This palace is a terrific place to begin understanding Dublin’s long and elaborate history. Continue reading
(To the Irish who may read this post, I apologize. I know how wonderful your food is, but my California tastes restrict me at times, and certainly in this instance. The limitation is mine not yours)
The flights commenced without a hitch. We had a slight delay in JFK, but Tripit (please see reviews) let us know far in advance of American Airlines and we stayed happily ensconced in the Admirals club. We boarded the flight from JFK to Dublin and were off without incident. I was sitting with Little G, Big G and P were sitting in front of us and Squeak was to the right of the two fellas. BB and her man-child (14 yo, lovely guy named C) were in the back of the plane with the rest of the sardines having not been able to acquire an upgrade. I settled in my seat with the steely focus and resolve of accumulating as much sleep as quickly as possible. The flight to Dublin was only 6 hours and we were to be landing early in the AM.
As a surprise for the G’s, I had purchased new iPad mini’s for them. My rationale was truly a selfish one- we had layovers and long flights and the movies that can be placed on one of those impressive machines put the AMC Megaplex movie theaters to shame. The movies made the G’s happy which in turn made my world a peaceful one- it’s a pick your battle sort of moment and the G’s won this skirmish.
So, there we were. Little G promising me that he was going to sleep after he ate dinner (which he did), P and Big G using “please and thank you’s” in front of me and Squeak flanking the fellas having visual confirmation of their movement. I went to sleep. A lovely sleep thanks to the help of the Bose Noise canceling head phones I kept on- really they are the Fort Knox of quiet (screaming babies, airplane carts, Squeak’s snoring) nothing get’s in. I was out. So imagine my surprise when I was forcefully pushed awake by Big G and Squeak. Bleary-eyed, I focused on a sputtering, confused and dying iPad mini that was valiantly trying to reboot despite it’s cracked screen and exposed componentry. Big G’s tears and incessant looping request to find the Apple Store in Dublin required immediate action. After Big G, told me how he had accidentally lowered his footrest onto the helpless mini and had calmed down somewhat, I said that while I understand how disappointing the loss of the machine was and how the accident was just that, an accident that there was an important lesson to be learned which was
“if you don’t take care of your things and be mindful of where you have placed things- accidents happen”
and
“we are not in Ireland to be on technology”
Case closed. End of story. Battle chosen and won. Score one for the parents.
Little G modeling the hypnotic power of the iPad mini
July 17-27
Day 1: Grin and Bear the Jet Lag in Dublin
Okay… I admit. It’s a big mistake. Yes, I left the Ambien and Lunesta sitting right there on the kitchen counter. Yes, Dear Reader, I pop sleeping pills when jet lag is a possibility. I am not ashamed or even, remotely, considering changing my two days of Ambien and two Lunesta anti jet lag treatment except, of course, now in light of my massive nocturnal omission. Luckily, I remembered the Calm (fizzy magnesium drink that aids in sleep) so hopefully this all natural elixir will do the trick and not leave me grumpy and haggard. I already know that Brown Bear and Squeak are looking at me a bit cross-eyed.
This first day in Dublin we are on our own. There are falcon caves to discover and a jail to tour. I am sure that we will hit it hard and right despite the inevitable whining.
Day 2- Dublin
We will be hitting the Book of Kells and some Museums today. The rest of our traveling group arrives today.
Day 3- Dublin
2:00 pm We have a guide taking us through the streets of Dublin and then have dinner at a Dublin restaurant where we will meet the rest of our group.
Day 4- Killarney
See the Rock of Cashel where Guinness was started
Visit Blarney Castle and Kiss the Blarney Stone
Day 5
Either Hike the Gap of Dunloe or Experience a Working Sheep Farm and Dog Herding Exhibition (I wonder which one Big G will choose? Let’s not forget Little Tim Time from the RV trip)
Picnic Lunch
Take a boat to Ross Castle
Traditional dinner at a local Killarney pub
Day 6
Horseback riding or Kayaking in the Morning
Spa Treatments for adults in the afternoon (now we’re talking)
Day 7
Drive to the Dingle Peninsula where we will have a traditional, pub style lunch
Explore the town of dingle before checking into the Dromoland Castle
Day 8
Board a boat to Inisheer Island, one of the three Aran Island, where we will have a hiking tour
See the Cliffs of Moher from the water
Return to Dromoland Castle for a traditional Irish dinner
Day 9
Return to Dublin to catch a 8 am flight back to the United States
Day 10
Leave Dublin
Squeak and Big G go to Washington State so that Big G can go straight to camp
Brown Bear and C go to NYC so that C can go to camp
And I, Dear Reader, go with Little G and P back home to California
When Can We Go? 