Neon Kelly Green

So... Here is a long awaited post on Ireland. I have a million things to say, but I'm going to keep this to a reasonable length.

We'll begin with...Ireland was green. I know, that this is a stupid thing to say, but it wasn't just green, it was shockingly green. It was neon kelly green. It was a color green I'd never seen before AND there were these extraordinary rainbows. Real amazing ones that lead to happiness rainbows in my eyes like the type that form in happy cartoon character eyes. I didn't see any pots of gold, but that doesn't mean they weren't there. Besides, I saw way better stuff.  Seriously, it was delightful. And there were a million happy travel memories and long travel conversations that lead to deeper, dearer friendships. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thanks for the memories girls!

(And special thanks to my overzealous photographer friend for this photo and the rainbow) 

We stayed at Adare Manor. Which was inexplicably incredible, I'll have to just show you...

Whoa right? It seems, suddenly like I'm a bazillionaire doesn't it? It's a lie. It was SUCH a good deal. And technically, we just stayed on the grounds - in a luxurious and wonderful villa with our very own rooms and kitchens and it was approximately the size of all 4 of our DC homes and more. Ahhh. 

It had these incredible windows.

It had gargoyles (who doesn't kinda love Gargoyles?)

And Ivy! (I love ivy! My polite neighbors cut their ivy off my fence recently. I was a little disappointed in their lack of haphazard gardening. I can only imagine what they think of mine...)








I saw all sorts of amazing things. More than you probably want to hear about... So, I'll just share a few pictures and promise you that I had far more breathtaking moments than most of you that week. I'm sorry you're jealous. I wish you had been there! I had no turkey for Thanksgiving does that make you feel better? (Don't feel bad for me. I did not miss it!)

This was my most awestruck moment. These rainbows at Rock of Cashel were breathtaking. My camera was, of course, uncooperative, This pic is borrowed, and much better than mine, but nothing captures quite how crazy wow this moment was. 

 

The Cliffs of Moher were by far the most breathtaking landscapes. Unbelievable...

 

 These are cool pictures, but the fog in Ireland prevents you from really understanding in any photo how incredible something is. Ireland is like that. I think it probably just wants you to come visit it too.

Here's another hilarious and memorable moment. Is Ireland really like in the movies? You know tiny roads filled with sheep...and a sheperd...and a sheepdog? Yes. Yes, sometimes it is...

Then, like all great trips, there was a memorable return trip. Remember how I declared my undying love of flying? Well, this wasn't my favorite flight, although I did try to remind myself not to be one of those ungrateful jerks who complains about participating in "the miracle of flight" (Laugh with me here @ 2:40.). Then there was a bus ride from NYC to DC that literally made me cry. I don't want to talk about it. Stop asking! It was a bad bus. (Props to MegaBus for being AMAZING with a table and comfort and shocks on the way from DC to NYC though!)