European Adventure

Well what can I say about Ireland except I can't wait to come back! The people are friendly (sometimes too much), the drinks good and the scenery ain't half bad either. I explored Ireland on a 6 day Paddywagon All Ireland Tour. I chose to do this so that I could see as much as Ireland as possible in a short amount of time.

The tour began in Dublin and we drove to Belfast on the first day. We stopped at Slaine Castle, Drogheda,and Monasterboice on the way to Belfast. We also did the iconic Black Cab Tour in Belfast which was so interesting. It was also the first night at an Irish pub with a little get to know your group evening - it was a good night but there were better to come.

Day two took us from Belfast to Derry. We drove along the North Irish coast stopping at the Giants Causeway along the way. We did a walking tour of derry and headed off the infamous Paeder O'Donnels in Derry for a night of Guiness, Cider and Irish Music.

Day three took us from Derry to Galway (the university town). We travelled through County Sligho and Donegal, visited Yates Country, Glencastle and finally arrived in Galway. We headed out to the legendary Kings Head Pub, scoured town for a bottle shop, then headed out to GPO - a local nightclub where it seemed everyone was about 12! We experienced our first Irish bar fights- blood and all and had one hell of a night

Day four took us from Galway to a small irish town of Anascaul. We drove through Dingle and the Sleagh Head Coast before arriving at our destination in Anascaul- the Randy Leprechaun, which certainly lived up to its name. We had the pub to ourselves - a town of 100 people has 8 pubs so go figure! They also offered us 3 shots for 10 euros which was to good to refuse and after about twenty's when the night gets a bit hazy. The night ended up for most in the bathroom and we woke up to find a drunk local who had climbed through our window and slept on our floor- a top night but a crap morning let me tell you

Day five took us from Anascaul to Killarney. We drove along coastal Ireland to Kerry and took a ferry in our bus to Killarney. Most of us were still a bit crook from the night before but it didnt stop us from heading out again this time to the Granary for a few quite drinks and some dancing.

Day six took us from Killarney back to Dublin via Blarney Castle, Tipperary and the Rock of Cashel. That was the end of the tour and we all headed off back to our respective hostels and decided to meet up later that night. We went out for dinner/drinks then crusied Temple Bar before calling it a night.

I spent the next day checking out Dublin and doing some shopping before heading to bed at a reasonable time for an early flight to Scotland tomorrow

Well the last couple of days have been busy and pretty full. I have seen the London Aquarium and Zoo with its singing Gibbons (one word = awesome). I checked out Buckingham and Kengiston Palaces. I walked through Hyde Park and window shopped at Harrods. I climbed the dome at St Paul's and went to the Sherlock Holmes Museum for a laugh. I saw some great art at the National Portrait Gallery. I ice skated for the first time ever and did a little souvenier shopping. That was pretty much London for me - tomorrow I head off the Ireland for green green grass, guiness and leprechauns or so i'm told!

Today I headed off towards the London Bridge area. I checked out the Britain at War experience-interesting but way overpriced. I then went to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and did a tour which was interesting. I walked the banks of the Thames and checked out the Tate Modern - i really wanted to use the slide but a group of school kids were there! I kept walking up to the London Eye and booked a 'flight'. It was good for about five minutes but after that its like i've seen the view so what else? I walked up to check out Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and then up to Trafalgar Square. I headed up to Leicester Square again and couldn't help but by tickets for Spamalot. Unfortunately as a relatively poor backpacker the only seat i could afford was way up the back in the nose bleed section - talk about dizzy! The show was good but Wicked was much better

Today I headed out and checked out a few of the more iconic tourist attractions London has to offer. I caught the tube to the Tower of London where i had a very cheesy tour with a beefeater or Yeoman warder named phillip -he couldn't look more English if he tried! From there i walked along the river to Tower Bridge and climbed the killer stairs! The view of London is great but the Thames has to be the only river dirtier than the Yarra. I decided to do one of those cruises down the Thames - it took forever - almost 2.5 hours. I headed out to Leicester Square to see what shows were playing in the West End. I splurged and booked a ticket to 'Wicked' after hearing great things about it. I had a bit of a nana nap back at the hostel - jet lag kicking in - and then headed out to see the show. It was absolutely amazing and see it if it comes to a theatre near you. It was then back to a noisy dorm room for attempted sleep after a hectic day

Left home (Melbourne) today for a 8:30pm flight to London. The flight left a little late due to rain and thunder but we were soon off in the air for 26 longs hours of bad food, crap movies and horrible babies crying -the usual. I arrived in London around lunchtime and hopped on the Tube for the first time- dont know what people really complain about - compare it to Melbourne and you'll see whats better. Got a few things then went to my hostel - Smart Hyde Park Inn - in bayswater. I wandered around the local area for a while to get my bearings but was in bed at 4pm exhausted and probably somewhat jetlagged.