We only spent a day here and I definitely want to go back! Preferably not being a hobbling gimp, as I twisted my ankle something fierce back in Dublin (took about 3 weeks to fully heal, twas bad). So many shops and boutiques to explore, there is the James Joyce Tower ( I need to read Ulysses now) and a castle amongst other quaint town bonuses. Sandy Cove is only a 20 minute dart ride away from Dublin. However, it seemed further away as Sandy Cove didn't come close to resembling the fast city hustle and bustle of Dublin. I almost felt like I was in Maine (one of my favorite states) with its jetties, the gorgeous water, coastal lifestyle, homes with character and eclectic restaurants. I have no complaints! This town is super clean, laid back, safe and just adorable. I think many Irish might come to Sandy Cove to retire. Be it swimming in the freezing cold water (shown in the video below) or walking about through the streets and socializing at restaurants. They were so spritely and active! I guess I noticed this because living in Florida where many come to retire, the residents of Sandy Cove didn't exactly fit the stereotype mold of "elderly". They run this town!
At the "Dart" station, Dublin's on ground metro station. We were heading to SandyCove :)
SandyCove :)! A beautiful, quaint and most precious town about 20 minutes outside of Dublin on the dart.
A typical SandyCove home
Panoramic view, near James Joyce tower.
The grass and water were so vibrant! Shot inspired by Ben!
Sandy Covin'
I adored SandyCove
Typical house in SandyCove. LOVE.
Alana was freezing. Ben warmed her up, then they had a dance party.
Sandy Cove :] ><!--3
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sleeping on public transportation is never safe..from my camera..muwhahahaa ;P
Dublin was the start of our 4 month backpacking trip!! The plane ride thankfully went smoothly, no turbulence! We were picked up by the Paddy Wagon-a large and green, so Irish bus. We're super money conscientious, which is how our adventure is going to last so long, so we are booking with places and companies that offer a lot for a good price!
The Suitcase!!!
About to board the plane
Plane over Dublin!
The Paddy Wagon Bus that picked us up from the airport :) Highly recommend if you are going to be hosteling about in Dublin. The pick up alone will save you a nice chunk of money$$ and you get free walking tours and a free day tour! However, my FAV. part about hostelin' it is meeting people from all OVER the world, which is exactly what happened :)
Dublin!
Irish foot shot, naturally.
Genuine Irish stew at the Porterhouse (there are two in Dublin, one is this deliciously divine restaurant, the other is a deliciously stocked beer house, 4 stories! So awesome, we went to that one as well on another night). We were so jet lagged we fell asleep at the restaurant waiting for our bill.
Seafood chowder. yum.
Meet Ben: Ben was our very own Aussie. Met him the first night in Paddy's Palace, I was skyping with my friend..the jet lag had already taken over, didn't know the day of the week. Then from across the room, I hear the answer "it's Tuesday"...So began an instant friendship with BEN.
BusFUN
one trail of Glendalough
Old Glendalough church
Alana being intrepid in a stream!
The Paddyyyy Wagon!
Glendalough
Ben discovered color saturation on my camera...my life hasn't been the same since. I'm obsessed with the feature now.
Ben, Alana and I having a Kilkenny beer in Kilkenny!
Hanging in Kilkenny
At Kilkenny Castle :)
"Camera Saturating" by the Kilkenny Castle
Locks for love-Dublin
So a Canadian, American, Ca-American and an Australian walk into an Irish pub...
Temple Bar, went there for two nights. fun fun. The first night we went out dancing...but before we even got to the Temple Bar area-I popped/sprained..straight up destroyed my ankle, while walking over a treacherous uneven tile. I heard a pop and it was really bad. However, I also really wanted to go out and have fun as one of our German friends' Charly, was leaving the next day. I had to YOLO.
So that night my ankle was fine but when I woke up the next day it was larger than a GOLF ball...it was bad and ugly, bugly. I was a gimp for about 2 weeks, which is pretty long for that to heal but it makes sense because we were/are nonstop wherever we go. The next day we went to an Irish Pharmacy, Ben, who is seriously such a knowledgeable man's man helped me out and I got a foot brace and an anti-inflammatory cream. Godsend! So that helped a bit.
Natural History Museum of Ireland. Basically a wide variety of exotic taxidermied animals. From Grizzly's from Alaska to kangaroos from Australia. We also visited the National Ireland Museum. Learned about the ancient Irish people and there was a big focus on preserved Irish bodies that had been murdered, sacrificed and or assassinated, either way endured an unpleasant death and thrown into the "bogs". So they had about five different people/bodies on display, it was creepysad but interesting.
Ben and Alana on St. Stephen's Green. We all had a wee nap in the LUSH grass.
St. Stephen's Park
Ben having a snack, Alana.
St. Stephen's Green was so relaxing. It hit me then that I can do that whenever I want for the next four months. No constraints. Though it was odd for a second that I don't have work the next day or the next day after that and so forth, which is weird for me since I have been working and have had a job since 17. With the last two working years being waking up before the sun and getting home without the sun, I don't miss that aspect whatsoever. I love being able to enjoy the DAY. Laying there in the super green grass I had a sense of peace, reflection and reality. Truth: unemployed in a scary somewhat inconsistent economy. Truth: saved up my money and I am seeing beautiful Europe and having amazing adventures for the next few months of my life. So it made me happy :); Truth: also miss my crazy family but I've always wanted to take a long trip and enjoy and experience this oyster of a world.
LOVING life!
Happy in Dublin!
Our Dutch boys/hostel roomies!! We loved them. They were a blast and we all got along great...little did we know we would see them very soon (to be read in my Netherlands post)
