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| Thursday December 28 2000 Here a report of my last week in Ireland (sniff sniff): Monday: The tour started near the Hill of Tara where I slipped and fell in the mud very funny and of course covered with mud completely. After that to Newgrange, to an old temple (or grave?), older than the pyramids. Inside the temple it was very small and with the light off very dark, but very special. Next drove to Monasterboise (monastic site). In the evening to a nice pub in Belfast (the Crown) and tried to drink Tequila, which was very funny.... Tuesday: In the morning driven through Belfast with a black taxi. Driven through the neighbourhoods where attempts are committed, along the peacewall to seperate the neighbourhoods (protestant and catholic neighbourhoods) and to the office of Sein Finn. This was a very interesting morning and now I understand more of how and why. On the moment that we where there it was rather dangerous for taxidrivers, because assaults were committed on catholic taxidrivers. After this morning we drove to Dunseverick Castle and spent the night in a cosy pub in Derry. Wednesday: Derry (Londenderry for the protestants is a bit like Belfast). In the morning made a citywalk with a guide. Walked on the old citywall where cameras followed us and microphones could follow what the guide told us. Like Big Brother, but the idea behind is not so funny. In Derry the protestants are living at one side of the river and the catholics at the other side with exception of a small protestant neighbourhood in the catholic part with a fence round their area. After this particular walk we drove to Grinian, a round stony fortress. In County Donnegall to Fairy Bridges (and this you must see on the pictures) and Mullaghmoore (I don't know anymore, must see the pictures too) and spending the night in Sligo, birthplace of Westlife,hihi. Thursday: In the morning a climb on Peninsula Hill (not for me) and have a lunch in Ballina and afterwards to Down Patrick Head, beautiful rocks together, but because of the heavy rainfall I've been satisfied with a postcard and an Irish coffee and I didn't take a look (I know, I'm lazy). In the evening in Westport (County Mayo) in an icecold hostel enjoyed some crackers with brie and wine (thanx Paul!) and after that to a very cosy pub with traditional music, where a nice old lady hold my hand for more than half an hour. Friday: In the morning most of us started to climb a mountain, but because I'm not so tough, I went for a walk in the area and came (together with Selina) near Murrisk Abbey, an old church with graveyard. Here also was the spot where many Irish went aboard a ship on their way to America during the potatoedearth (petatofemine), but when many didn't reach it and also died on board. In the evening we spent the night in Galway. Saturday: On our way back to Dublin, in Shannonbridge lunched in a nice pub and stopped nearby a whiskey distillery, where I did a whiskeytest with success. This was a very nice week, also because the group was very nice (thanx mouse!). Thanks for all the emails everybody, that's one of the nicest things of travelling. Next destination is KENIA, departure next January 6!!! Cheers, Esther |
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