Ireland trip: Day 5 Ring of Kerry

After yesterday's wet adventure, I was looking forward to something a bit more relaxed and dry. An all day bus trip! I know, who looks forward to that? Well, for me it was the only way I'd be able to see the famous Ring of Kerry, a 158 mile stretch of road that goes around some fairly amazing scenery on the coast of Ireland.

Reasons I did not rent a car and do it myself:

1. Driving on the opposite side of the road
2. Being by myself
3. Paying close to $150 for one car for one day not counting gas
4. Sheep
5. Rain
6. Really bad roads

So I hopped in a precariously old and worn out mini bus with 10 retirees, 1 Japanese girl and 2 college-age Germans. Our tour guide, Kevin, had such a thick accent that I only really understood 60% of what he said and felt bad for the Germans and Japanese girl. The weather was foggy and awful but the ride was still beautiful. Our first stop was a Bog Museum which thankfully had a cute little pub attached that served THE best Irish coffee with fresh cream. I chit chatted with the pub owner and then off we went to more scenery. We stopped again at the first sight of the Atlantic and I practically ran off the bus I was so excited. I didn't even bring my coat. The wind whipping off the sea smelled crisp and salty. The Germans were out with me just as fast and soon the retirees trickled out laughing at our "youthful exuberance".

The road to Waterville was dotted with glimpses of the ocean and surrounding hills. Once we got to Waterville for lunch I headed out to the beach to catch some spray and get some good pictures. I managed to climb up a rock wall to get a good shot of a hillside before being blown back into the pub where I had a plate of French fries to tie me over. Back into the bus we went up into the mountains where we could barely see anything due to the fog, but I found it magical rather than annoying. Eventually we stopped at the town of Sneem which you would miss if you sneezed. This is where the road got really crazy. I don't know if it was the bus's bad suspension or the roads or a combination but we were jostled all over the place and were dodging cars, sheep and people on bicycles as we wound our way through roads that really should only hold one car.

By the time we were at Ladies View overlooking the National Park I was ready for a nap and for solid ground. I'll be posting pictures once the internet improves. The day was fun but long and it doesn't make sense without the pictures!