#kamote queue | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

blakpirl · 5 years

Text

Ireland 2019

(Long post ahead)

I don’t want to miss a memory of my first Euro Trip, which is why I have to harness my old self to create this blog. The last time I properly wrote something this is ‘I think’ about a trip to Georgia in 2017. I though hope I can give justice this time despite the noise in my head. However, this Euro nature trip has given a lot of clarity and steadiness to my mental/emotional being (haha. hope it lingers).

I consider myself as a frugal person. For many years, I held back to any out-of-the-country vacations because I feel like I can save the budget for something else. Nevertheless, it is also true that LIFE IS SHORT, if you have the means, you have to go for it, and there is no need to be guilty in treating yourself the peace you deserve. Therefore, with a little push from our cousins, we went for our first Euro Trip in the country of IRELAND.

This might be a lengthy page but if you are interested enough, you can stick around. If not, no need to feel bad, this page is mainly for my future self anyways. :)

Visa Processing

As I am a Filipino citizen, I have to obtain an Irish tourist visa to be able to tour Ireland. Luckily, our visa processing went stress-free and quick. You have to prepare AED 400 per person for the visa. Just in bear in mind, that the amount is NOT refundable even if the Irish Embassy rejects your application. Therefore, I recommend you to prepare all the necessary documents and have a little faith, and oh apply early in case of a long queue of applicants.

Ticket

By the help of our cousins whom we were traveling with, we were able to secure a nice affordable plane ticket to Ireland. However, you can purchase discounted tickets by booking ahead or reserving on a low season. We just got lucky someone got our back. :)

Arriving in Ireland

We arrived in Dublin in an August month, which is supposedly summer season. However, as they say, Irish weather is unpredictable. Even if the forecast says it’s sunny, a small umbrella might become handy anytime. The Irish summer weather is already the winter-like feel in UAE so this has become an inside joke for us. Our lovely host picked us up from the airport and we headed directly to the county of Bray.

Looking through the bus window, the country’s emphasis on nature is undeniable. There is no bore staring at the delightful and misty trees and greens of the beautiful country. Additional points on placing designated spaces in the bus for baby buggy (their term for stroller), wheelchairs and elderly passengers, so you can tell where to settle.

We have reached the host’s apartment around 7PM and the sun is still astonishingly high up.

We prepared for dinner, our host prepared a nice beef marrow stew (or bulalo!) perfect for the nice cold weather. :)

DAY ONE:

It was a pleasant sunny day (but of course it will rain – Irish weather!) and we walked along the streets of the County Bray heading to what they call the Bray Head. We walked pass the striking brick structures, picturesque old European streets and nice smell of freshly baked bread from the bakery.

Stroll with this little angel

Me, my husband and Zannah

We stopped by the seafront to feed the Swans and few other sea birds where I thought will eat my hand as well. The jingle of seagulls refreshes my inner senses.

Bunch of swans and seagulls feasting

We then walked straight to the Bray Head. We were just in the ¼ of the hill but the view already astounded me! We cannot miss posing to this beaut!

me and husband appreciating nature’s magnificence

emote-emote lang

emote emote jpn

the gang with the kiddos

We handpicked blackberries along the way. We took pictures of almost all trees, flowers, or rocks we spotted. However, the photos we took were an understatement of its actual splendor.

We descended from the hill to grab some lunch. Though we were not able to reach the top, it was still worth it! Something to look forward next time. :)

Super meaty pizza. And the servings here is not bad!

fried sweet potato. in short, kamote!

We boarded the train to Dublin to wander the capital city. This is where I saw flocks of people on the street. Compared to Bray, Dublin is busier but it has its unique beauty of course. We did a slight exploration. We passed by different architectural edifices, monuments, and stores. We bought souvenirs and beers along the way!

O'Connell Monument

goofing around in front of dublin central post office (post office not seen in pic)

the crossroads

We have gone back to Bray after the city tour. Our host arranged Bile-flavored goat soup (Papaitan!) and crispy fried deer for dinner. It is my first time to taste deer meat, it really is marvelous, and the host cooks fantastic too!

crispy fried deer meat

papaitan!

DAY TWO! – Dublin City Tour and Guinness Store House Tour

We woke up from a very comfortable sleep and proceeded to the city of Dublin for the lovely city tour. Below were the few attractions we saw while doing the tour.

St Patrick��s Cathedral

Built in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, St Patrick’s Cathedral is built on top of a site said to be where St Patrick would baptize new converts to Christianity. With over two hundred religious relics housed within its walls, it traces Ireland’s religious past through the years and is a stunning architectural site with vibrant stained glass windows, an impressive altar and cathedral tower. © https://blog.dublinpass.com

Jeanie Johnston Tallship and Famine Museum

Famine and immigration are a key part of Ireland’s history, defining the 19th century and shaping the future of Irish descendants. The Jeanie Johnston Tallship, a mid-1800s wooden ship that transported Irish immigrants to Quebec, New York and Baltimore, has been restored to its former glory and transformed into an exploration of Ireland’s past through its rich exhibits. © https://blog.dublinpass.com

Trinity College Dublin

Not only is this institution one of the most respected universities in the world, it’s also an important cultural landmark in Dublin. With a stunning library that aches with history, its shelves are lined with thousands of age-old texts including an exhibit dedicated some of Dublin’s most famous illustrated 9th century manuscripts: the Book of Kells and Book of Durrow. © https://blog.dublinpass.com

Below were some places we have seen:

· Ha’penny Bridge

· The Convention Center

· The Samuel Beckett Bridge

· The Aviva Stadium

· The Rotunda Hospital

· Famine Memorial

· Teeling Whiskey Distillery

Of course, not missing an opportunity to drink, we went down to the Guinness Storehouse stop and the guys rejoiced for excitement. We started with a short tour around the storehouse where the process of making the Guinness Beer was briefly illustrated. At the end of the tour, we had the opportunity to pour our ‘almost’ perfect pint of beer where we received a certificate for it! We stayed in the panoramic top floor and enjoyed our beers. It was a bit touristy during our visit, however, we loved the view and beers! Slàinte (translates “good health” or “cheers” in Irish)!

pouring our own pint

Slainte!

After a long day in Dublin, we went back to Bray and indulged in the Bamboo shoot with Shrimp in coconut milk soup our host prepared. Yum!

DAY THREE!

Another day in Ireland and it is time to visit some castles! We planned to go to Malahide Castle and Gardens to spend a family day.

We paced through a charming forestry-like path with lots of various trees, flowers, and greens along the way. I innocently thought that this path is already very majestic but not until we reached the actual garden and castle. We were blessed with a bright, nice day, the sun is up and the clouds were blue and stunning. We straightaway took a snap of the place and pose in front of the castle.

the princess in her garden

Picnic style, we devoured our lunch, coffee, and indulged ourselves in the overwhelming emerald sight and the breath of fresh air. It was like the sensation of sitting in your childhood garden just being calm, happy, satisfied and contented. You have the choice to go inside the castle but we did not opt. You will be toured around the castle though you can’t take photographs inside.

We mostly spent our entire day inside the garden as it is far from another tourist spot. We headed home early and enjoyed some shopping. :)

DAY FOUR!

It is another fine day! We headed to the Powerscourt Estate, House and Gardens to enjoy the No. 3 Garden in the World! Although this day was the gloomiest among all the days of our vacation, on-off rain and shine, still, the sight is captivating. We went through a little uphill walk through the charming town of Enniskerry to reach the gate of the garden. From the estate gate, a scenic, forestry vibe welcomed us while we continued our hike towards the Powerscourt garden entrance.

We kicked off by having our lunch while watching raindrops wash the mystic greens outside the cafe. It was not long enough when the sun shone again for us to wander around the gorgeous landscape. We started walking through the Italian Garden where various statues, fountains, green landscape, and flower gardens reside.

Few more steps through the lotus-filled pond and a little detour to the left will lead you to the majestic Japanese Garden. It is visible by its multi-colored trees, including the Japanese maple trees (with orange or red leaves), bridges and the small temple-figured shade.

Unfortunately, the rain did not permit us to go further to see the Pet Cemetery (few tombstones lined up where former estate families buried their beloved pets), and the tower valley (one tower sticking out from the enormous greens). Luckily, we have covered to best parts. Upon heading home, we have met Kevin (our cab driver). And he led us to the adventure for the next day!

Dinner at bray is a mouth-watering Isdang Paksiw by our beloved host.

DAY FIVE!

One of the most favorite part of the tour is our adventure this day. Our previous cab driver, Kevin, who also is an excellent guide, picked us. We headed to Glendalough, Wicklow.

Before reaching our destination, I cannot help but be amazed by the beautiful sight of County Wicklow. The vast field with several sheep on it, mountain views, humble Irish communities and the flowing group of pine trees gives my soul a fill.

Our first stop is the ever-magnificent Guinness Lake. The lake is situated in the middle of two Wicklow mountains which came from streams from Mountain Rivers. This same lake is used as a set for the famous “Vikings” series.

wild irish heathers blooming on the mountainside

After a few relaxing moments, Kevin took us to Glendalough. It is a nature park, entrance-free, showcasing the raw beauty of nature. We have walked from the visitor center to the Upper Lake. It is a pleasant hike filled with the nice nature-y ambiance of the place. And just when you think you’ve seen the best, wait till you reach the Wicklow Mountains side-by-side fuelling the life-filled lake (from the river streams). You can hike longer using another trail into the mountains if you opt to stay longer.

ducks swimming in the lake

A little drizzle to water this beauty. What a sight!

After that nice encounter, we went back to home bringing nice memories and enjoying a well-deserved dinner!

Just yum!

DAY SIX!

We woke up quite early. 4AM early. Because me and my husband will be taking a 3-hour drive to today’s tourist destination. The day started gloomily. At 6am, raindrops continue to fall. At 7am, no sign of Mr. Sun. At 8am, we passed-by a cafeteria but the sky is all gray! We kinda feel down along the way, good thing Mr. T, our lively tour guide gave us a little laugh.

Despite the rainy state of the day, I still enjoyed the great wonders of nature. It cannot be denied, rain or shine. But it actually became brighter for us. On our first stop, the Bunratty Castle, in contrast to the dull start, rays from Mr. Sun actually welcomed us. Our spirits were up and we enjoyed the brief moment in the castle.

We moved forward to our tour’s destination, the Cliff of Moher. We were so excited to see this place. Me and my husband are sorts of adventurous beings, so we always crave the daring! We finally reached the beautiful county of Clare. From the looks of it, we think we will have a very nice sunny and windy day.

As we jumped off the bus, we directly head towards the walking path to the Cliff of Moher. We hiked towards to visitors’ path but OMG the sight is heavenly! The splash of rough seas against the enormous rocks, the wind screaming behind my ears, the great blue sky, the green grass with sprouts of wildflowers, it’s mesmerizing! We climbed over the wall that separates the visitor’s path and cliff to enjoy the view more. One of a kind!

posing at O’Brien’s Tower

youtube

We had a hangover when we returned to the bus. We recapped our photos and still feel high and actually exhausted. We grabbed lunch at St. Patrick’s Bar (Fitzpartricks Bar) @ Doolin. We enjoyed the seafood chowder and roast beef leisurely, enough to fill our tummies. Good thing our tour guide know when is the best time to come so as to not get stuck with the crowd of tourist. Thus, we have a good eating spot.

seafood chowder

Roasted Beef

Along the way, we stopped by The Burren, a region that is dominated by glaciated landscapes. The wind in the Burren is almost as strong as the Cliffs of Moher. We posed of what the guide called the “Baby Cliffs”.

thanks for our jolly tour guide for helping us take this picture

We had an exhausting but satisfying day. We slept off the bus till we reached the opening to Dublin. It was really an experience of a lifetime.

Reaching Dublin, my lovely college classmate meet us and had dinner together. And that is our last dinner in Ireland before we head back to Abu Dhabi the next day.

korean dining with wilengel and husband

Travelling is very refreshing in the mind. I feel like I am happier every time I set foot in a new place. It made me feel thrilled and excited on how many more places we can travel together and on how big and beautiful the world is. Thank You Lord for blessing us this travel!

0 notes

misstinapie · 8 years

Text

T&J Travels #5: Antipolo 2016

Maybe the boyfriend wanted to make it up to me with my failed plan*, but I'm nowhere near complaining when he pitched going to Antipolo. We are to rely on public transpo for this day tour and what do you know, it could have never been better than expected!

+ The Exciting Time of Sitting Down +

There are 3 places near my place where we can attempt to catch a shuttle. What we tried first was at Megamall which unfortunately had only one seat left and it was eating our time sitting there waiting for another one to come. I was able to get a Growlithe though!

We gave that up after probably a good 30 minute wait and walked to Galleria. Lo and behold we're the first to be on queue that we even got the front seats yay! It was a bit of a long wait for more passengers thought but it was offset by the absence of heavy traffic. We arrived quarter to 11.

+ Antipolo Cathedral +

For first timers like us it was really convenient that our first stop for the day and the last stop of the shuttle was the Antipolo Cathedral. Initially we weren't too sure where it was, I think we've passed by a few churches that might pass off as one but then you see that huge dome in your view and you realize that THAT is the one.

I may not be a Catholic but I always enjoy going to Churches, especially Roman Catholic ones. What added to it's charm is how inspite of being at a busy street, it was clean and everything is in it's place, not blocking the beautiful building.

The terminal we got off is on a street at the left which made the Cathedral the best landmark you could tell someone who would commute for the first time to Antipolo. It made me comfortable knowing that I can go back to a place familiar when need be, not to mention no tricycle driver would not know where the Cathedral is. It was also nice that the ped xings are properly followed. If the guy who ushered us is to be believed, it's 5k for the offense.

The cathedral is not as huge inside, not too much decor, nor was it grandiose like other churches. But even so, the plain white dome interior is a refreshing take in lieu of paintings and chandeliers.

+ La Traviesa +

A seafood buffet place, we got there via tricycle (30php). Our driver didn't know it (must be new), but he proactively asked his friends where to. We got there around lunch time so it's understandable that the place is truly packed. But then in my head I don't get why they have no people in front to seat nor entertain us. Reagan went in after a while of waiting because the waiters seemed like they're ignoring our presence (there's probably 2 tables left so we need to act quickly if we want to eat). He asked someone who gave us plates (tables have cutleries but no plates, it seems like it's something you have to request) and we're off to start. It's a sort of mini culture shock, this is the first time we've seen such system in getting yourself a table.

Truly as advertised there are lots of seafood dishes (probably 5-6), or so I think. Flavors don't differ much. The shrimp isn't as fresh as hoped (our gauge is that the shell of the shrimp is sticking too much to it's flesh). I had my full though because it wasn't bad for 300++ per head. I loved the veggies because they're not soggy and the fried rice had so much ingredients on it.

What had truly surprised me was that being a seafood buffet, their bestseller was none of the main dishes (they are always fully stocked) but their appetizer: kamote chips. It's really funny that when you eat here in Manila the first to go are shrimps, while here the kamote chips don't stay long on the buffet table. I was lucky to get a first batch when I went back to get some and boy they are really tasty! You won't even taste that familiar earthy taste of kamote, you could actually fool anyone that it's just potato.

+ Pinto Art Gallery +

There was already a light shower when we arrived (tricycle was probably 50php?) that the road is becoming muddy. I am not sure if you need to pay extra when you bring your own car to park or even enter (it is within a subdivision but near the guard) but tricycles don't need to.

Entrance fee is 200php for adults, a different charge for those who plan to do photoshoots. Backpacks are prohibited but it seems like you can talk yourself out of it to my annoyance.**

I loved it, there's so much to see. The weirdness of some artworks, the multiple ways you can go to a building, different levels and random rocks out of nowhere. If this is something I could afford, this is an excellent place to hold an event! I could only imagine how it might look with all the drapings and flowers you could dress it in.

What I didn't like though was how some groups hound artworks just so they can take the best shoot. It's ridiculous and sad at the same time. Imagine hanging out with friends who are onto outdoing (or out-instagramming rather) each other. Just keep an eye ON groups who had all the works: makeup, outfits and slrs. Go the other way to better enjoy the moment.

My favorite installation is the simplest, but to me was the most immersive: The Forest. I'm not going to spoil it for anyone but I truly loved it. It's like all my senses are engaged coming in. I hope they never remove it!

+ Hinulugang Taktak +

I knew I've been here once on a field trip ages ago but I could not recall a single memory of what it should look like that's why I still felt giddy seeing it like as if it's my first time. Initially we weren't allowed in because they were saying that they close the park when it rains (apparently due to falling branches) but they may have noticed we were "tourists" and allowed us in after a while as we lingered looking over the railings to see the waterfalls (and also there are a few visitors around the area the reasoning is not valid).

The water is quite muddy probably because of the rain, a bit of trash at the bottom (sad face) but I bet it would be much better on another day. I liked that they have a lot of places where families can hang out for free, however they should do something about some parts of the park that aren't cemented yet. It also looks like a budget friendly option to get married since the area near the falls is a fair size for your guests. You just have to deal with the water spray though.

+ Cloud9 Resort +

This is so out of the way of the rest of everything else so it's somewhat reasonable to pay 120 for the tricycle. We didn't know what to expect on how high it is as well so we added 30 for the driver to take us on the actual resort. Do not attempt this when you're a group, it's safer to walk up. You'd know what I mean once you see how steep it is.

The view up here is breathtaking. That is of course if only the rain would just stop. It would have been nice to be able to dine out of the glass enclosure, away from some smoking patrons. I have no idea if they have other areas reserved for non-smokers but it doesn't look like it. We suppose that the dining area is for drinking sessions and barkada gatherings. Not too romantic if you ask me.

I've no appetite (I don't know why) so we just got tuna sandwiches and calamansi juice. Other than inhaling smoke from the next table this has got to be the #1 downer for the day. You can't even see where in the sandwich the tuna resides and for 130++ it's too disappointing. Back in the office I pay 25 pesos for a rye bread overflowing with tuna and vegetables!!

We're supposed to try the hanging bridge but it doesn't look safe (looks slippery due to rain) and I've no urge to do the 360 experience since it's cloudy anyway. We'd just try it for next time.

+ Going Home +

Unlike everything else we've been to, the location of Cloud9 is hard to get any form of public transpo. We tried walking and back, to be saved by a tricycle who dropped off a group at Cloud9 too. We went back to the Cathedral to buy some pasalubongs (we got our kasuy for 100php a glass and a few freebies). It was quite stressful, everyone is extremely competitive, one was even claiming hailed us to her store but we have no idea who she was.

There were also kids who kept on selling Catholic necklaces, repetitively telling you to share your blessings it has become super annoying. I do give alms but I want to do it on my own volition. A no means no. Reagan is quite nicer, he gave in to those two girls.

It wasn't hard for us to get a shuttle back to Megamall, and the waiting time is reasonable. There was a bit of traffic but not as bad as it is in EDSA. More and more Antipolo looks like a good place to get a house (wink!) since it is really convenient to and fro Ortigas CBD. We will try to get back around May so we could try what Kasuy (the fruit) really taste like. I'm hoping it won't be raining anymore!

Raw Gallery (no edits, not even which photos are on the album!)

*Wednesday that week I told him what if we spend the weekend at Tagaytay since me and officemates are going there on a Friday night. I wanted to just meet him there instead of me going back home. I was really sold to the idea of waking up on a different location in the morning, I even thought of bringing clothes for an early exercise (naks!). It would be convenient for me too since I'd be checking out early Sunday to go to our Church in Cavite. He said it wasn't a good idea though because his car haven't had any checkup yet.

**I only bring backpacks nowadays which I think would benefit my back, but it's too small my officemate once remarked I stole it from a child. So anyway, I left it at their area as told BUT there was this girl who had a huge ass bag that could probably fit 10 of what I have who didn't want to leave hers and "promised" the guy in the baggage counter she would wear it in front instead. SHE NEVER DID AFTER HE LOOKED AWAY. DAMMIT.

0 notes