Visiting Galway
Over a week ago now, Alaina and I were learning that we could not visiting Germany. Oh, and our AC was broke. In the midst of chaos and my sour attitude, Alaina plotted a plan for us to visit the coast via Galway, Ireland.
My last post was on the bus ride to Galway. Galway was a wildcard with some difficulties. Lodging had not been easy to come by and more than insignificant amounts of walking would be required (we did allow ourselves to partake of the superb bus system). The pace was slower and yet also faster.
The city itself is much smaller than Dublin. The relaxed feeling accompanying sea water smell was throughout the city. But it was also a faster city in that we were always on the go and in a rush. We had to change lodging in the midst of our stay. We also had to walk 20-30 minutes for day trips or outbound buses (like the one today back to Dublin).
The day trips were worth it though. The first was a spur of the moment decision to visit Connemara. Go ahead and google pictures. I'll wait.
The bus tour went through the two main valleys in Connemara with the highlight stop occurring at Kylemore Abbey with its beautiful walled gardens. I legitimately can't say enough about how beautiful the location was on the ride up or down.
There were also wreck remains on the Island.
The second day tour took us to the Smallest Island of Aran for a horse drawn tour from a local. I don't imagine Molly (the horse) was took excited about the weight load of six Americans, but we enjoyed the view of the scant mile-long island and it intricate rock walls. The local beer of the Islands (a golden Ale) was pretty good too in the local pub with traditional music being played by some locals.
The boat ride to the Island was fun. The heights of the Cliffs of Moher were not so fun. But I decide to not stare off over the drop too often and we proceeded to enjoy the highlight of our second day trip.
I can't at the moment recall every single craft beer I had in Galway. We are near minutes away from our final dinner in Dublin at The Brazen Head. In the future, Alaina and I are more than willing to be tour guides in Ireland. Just so ya know.