Oh Darling, Let's Be Irish Adventurers: May 2015

Heading up North

April 17
With Kathleen and I reunited after our Easter week vacations, we decided to take a day trip around Northern Ireland because neither of us had yet to explore the northern half of the island. Early Friday morning we took the train into Dublin and walked to where the tour bus was supposed to pick us up. We arrived right on time at 7:10, but as I pointed at the bus and made eye contact with the bus driver he drove off towards the next stop. Kathleen and I had to sprint towards O’Connell Street to catch the bus, luckily we got there in time before it left, but I was not prepared to have an asthma attack that early in the morning. Huffing and puffing, I staggered onto the bus after the tour guide gave us a hard time about our tickets. Finally on the road to Belfast, we settled in for the long day ahead of us. There was a choice of going on a Black Cab political tour or go to the Titanic Experience, and of course Kathleen and I were the only ones who chose to go to the Titanic Experience. Our tour guide once again forgot about us, and tried to not take us to the Titanic Experience, but the bus driver reminded him and we were dropped off at the museum, with a chunk of time missing due to his poor judgement. Needless to say we had to go through the experience quickly. We went through the building, fitting, sailing, and sinking of the Titanic on fast forward in order to see everything and be back at the bus on time. Despite the fact that we had to speed through it, I still thoroughly enjoyed every part of it from its construction in Belfast, to the décor of each room to the last telegraph messages from the ship, and even when they played “My Heart Will Go On” I started singing in the most dramatic fashion. After going through the experience at top speed, we came out of the museum into the windy morning to be told by the bus driver that we had an extra fifteen minutes. Annoyed and irritated that we had to rush through our museum time; we walked around until it was actually time to go.

I'm obsessed with the propellers of this ship!

We took a ride that told personal laborers' accounts of building the Titanic

A reconstructed first class suite

"You jump I jump"

There she goes!

We so cute!

The outside of the museum

With everyone back on the bus we drove off to Giant’s Causeway. The Canadian lady seated next to us was having a great time as she chugged her second can of Bulmers cider before noon, and all Kathleen and I could do was laugh. Before arriving at Giant’s Causeway, we stopped at a castle that was the inspiration for Cair Paravel in the Chronicles of Narnia, which was absolutely stunning as the waves lapped against the old stones. When we finally arrived at Giant’s Causeway, Kathleen and I had trouble finding the entrance, but when we did we were down at the hexagonal rocks in no time, thanks to a shuttle. We climbed all over the rock formations while the sun broke through the clouds and the wind pushed us all about. Accidently, we spent too much time at the rocks where giants used to tred, and we had to hurry back and get a sandwich. I had to hold the bus while Kathleen waited fifteen minutes for our sandwiches to be ready.

Oh hey Cair Paravel

Giant steps for giant feet!

Giant's Causeway

Our last stop of the day was Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which is a tiny rope bridge suspended about 80 meters above the sea to connect a fishing island to the mainland. Kathleen, with her slight fear of heights, was nervous about going across, while I on the other hand had a rush of adrenaline and was ready to go across the bridge. We both walked over the bridge, and once we were back on the main land we made our way to the bus. Our tour guide then stopped us to take a picture with him. It should be made known that he was a Notre Dame graduate and knew some Saint Mary’s professors, so when he found out we went to SMC, he then made every effort to talk to us and preach to us how great Notre Dame is. Honestly, we were still a little bitter that he continually forgot about us, and he was not a very informative tour guide, but we still took a picture with him. We were then on our way back to Dublin with the tour guide still talking to us about ND, and not paying attention to where we were going, but we made it back safely.

Pretty coastline

The view from the bridge

Looking pretty after going across the bridge

The bridge

Solo no more!

April 6-7

The bus ride back to London took longer than normal because it was the end of the holiday weekend, so by the time we made it to the station I was a little motion sick. My friends from Saint Mary’s, Bridget, Shannon and Kylie were down by the London Eye having dinner, so I joined them. I was so relieved to see some friendly faces after travelling by myself for five days. They were just starting their British adventure, as I was ending mine tomorrow but their company made my last night in the U.K. enjoyable. After catching up after dinner we headed towards Big Ben, but first we decided to do the London Eye 4D experience. It was a free video that took you around London following a seagull and included wind in your face and bubbles. It was not that exciting, but a couple of college kids can make it enjoyable. They also took your picture on a green screen and then put you on top of the London Eye; it was cute except for the fact that I was wearing green pants, so I had no legs in the picture! After our 4D experience we stood by the river and took way too many pictures with their roommate Surya’s selfie stick. Then we made our way across the bridge to see Big Ben at night and to get some telephone booth pictures. Overall, meeting up with them made my trip back to London so much more fun, and I was overjoyed to see them!

Eye spot London

Oh Ben, you're such a looker!

Big Ben selfies with Bridget!

Rock the red London

She tried to touch Ben...

London's calling!

We departed ways, and me thinking I could easily walk back to my hostel instead of taking the tube decided to walk across London at night by myself. It definitely was not the best decision I’ve made on my trip. I would have been fine, but one of the streets that I had to go down was under construction at 10 o’clock at night, so they rerouted me down a back, unlit alleyway. Although I was slightly scared and unnerved I kept my wits about me and managed to get back onto a familiar main road and after an hour an half of walking I was back at my hostel, where I immediately went to sleep after walking 15 miles that day!

I found a Disney Store, so I had to go inside!

Oh yeah I went into the British Museum briefly and saw Dum Dum

British museum

The highlight of Baker Street

I only spent about nine hours in my hostel, because in the morning I left to join my friends at Kings Cross Station, where we hung out at Platform 9 ¾ until we had to separate. They went to see the changing of the guard, while I went to pick up some souvenirs and then we rejoined at Baker’s Street, where I ate some Chipotle, to wait for the airport shuttle. After an exciting week of British adventures I was relieved to go home and rest

Cardiff: The Experience of Doctor Who and Five Guys

April 4-6

I arrived in Cardiff by mid Saturday afternoon and made my way over the river towards my hostel, which was more like a large bed and breakfast rather than a shabby dorm style hostel. After getting comfortable and resting in my room, I decided to go explore the main part of the city and get some dinner. Walking through the city center was like walking through an outdoor mall, all that lined the streets were shops and restaurants, oh and a huge library at the end of the main strip. Many shops had already closed for the night, while the restaurants and pubs started to fill up. As my stomach continued to rumble, I stumbled upon a Five Guys Restaurant and knew that was where I was going to eat. I stepped inside and it was like I stepped into America. Everything was exactly the same; the buckets of peanuts, fries in a cup, magazines on the wall, and even a Coca-Cola freestyle machine. I got myself a burger, fries and multiple refills of vanilla coke and I was a content girl. I was soon over stuffed and ready to go back to the hostel for a long shower and some sleep. Before I could go to sleep peacefully, I had to witness a couple snuggling on a twin sized bunk. Ew!

Cardiff center

The outside of the castle

The river outside of my hostel

The hostel had a kitty that I adored!

The next morning was Easter Sunday, but instead of finding a basket at the foot of my bed, I had tickets to go to the Doctor Who Experience! I quickly put on my Doctor Who dress and made my way to the nearest Catholic Church for Easter mass, which was still quite the hike, but it was worth it. I felt very welcomed into the church, and the service was very lively. After celebrating the risen Lord, I walked a few miles to the Doctor Who Experience. I geeked out so hard when seeing all the costumes and props from the show, and during the adventure we went on to save the universe. I was probably the most excited person there, as I flew the TARDIS, defeated a dalek and saved the day. After going through the experience, I was taken on a walking tour of Cardiff Bay, which showed you all the filming locations of Doctor Who from various episodes. After one of the most exciting, geekiest afternoons of my life I went back to my hostel, ate a pizza and facetimed my family as they celebrated Easter at home. It was great seeing all of them again, and I realized that I missed celebrating the holiday at home, because it had been two years since I was home for Easter.

Where I prayed

Cardiff Bay

The Crown Jewel!

Exterminate!

K-9 found his mistress!

Just chilling in 10's TARDIS!

I can't remember why I included this picture...

My favorite Doctor's costume!

I found my TARDIS!

I awoke early the next morning, mainly because the breakfast of French pastries, fruit salad and cereals was heavenly, checked out of my hostel and went for a walk to see the last of the city. The sun was shining bright so I decided to go walk through a huge park outside the city and bordering the castle. It seemed like everyone else had the same idea, there was plenty of dogs playing fetch, running athletes and scootering kids. The warm air and sun on my face was exactly what I needed, as I collected my thoughts. After walking a few miles I went back out into the city center, grabbed some lunch and postcards then made my way to the bus stop to go back to London, where I was meeting up with some friends from Saint Mary’s.