Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher
One of the beautiful sites on our first day

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Hitting the Ground Running



     It was a somewhat sleepless night. We flew through the night - by our time – and arrived before the sun came up.
Welcome to Ireland
     Baggage claim, zip through customs, got my personal first stamp on my passport…all in the space of just a few hours. Sleep did not fit into the agenda. We also suffered through airplane food and some of us were not sure if we were hungry or just tired. We did have a great, hearty buffet breakfast at the Inn of Dromoland. Our bus then took us along the coast of County Clare to the Cliffs of Moher. The day promised to be sunny and cool, perfect weather for sightseeing along the coast. 
Sunrise
      Our tour guide promised us spectacular views of the cliffs. That man was a prophet, because as we approached the cliffs park, the sun shone brightly, the dew hadn’t quite burned off and light danced on the stone pavement and picnic tables all around the park area. If I didn’t know better, I’d say that the light was like the fairies, flitting about as we walked to the overlook.
Small town beauty
Along the river
      It was not long before we were in the presence on one of Nature’s scenic wonders. Anna remembers that the cliffs were so “imposing, huge, and such a sheer drop.” She was surprised at the sheer size of the whole area. 
Welcome to the Cliffs of Moher
     As you hike up to the first overlook stop, you become aware of what she speaks. You first see the side of one cliff. Then, as you move closer to the sea, another cliff, then another, all come into view on your left. You come to a fork in the road, and, as Yogi Berra said, you take it. Go to your left and you have a hike to the top of the cliffs themselves. Go to the right and you hike up steps to other overlook spots, one which includes a castle-like tower.
The Cliffs


View from the first overlook
     I went to the right and climbed steps to get better views of the cliffs. Trish remarked later how astonished she was at the color of the cliffs. Lichen gives the impression that even the cliffs had the good sense to go green. In fog and mist, the dark color can give the area a spooky, eerie feel. But today, with the sun shining brightly, the fog burned off to reveal the awesome beauty of Nature’s paintbrush. Green lichen mixes with grey rock to create a vision that mere words cannot describe.

     One of our chorus goals was to sing in as many places as possible. So, just before we were to board the bus for our next stop, we all gathered by the picnic tables and sang “Gee, But It’s Good to be Here”. It’s all on record, and hopefully someone will be able to cut it in with other locations for a montage of the trip.
Cliff faces with lichen provides great visual contrast
Local musician provides entertainment
Long view of the last visible cliff
     Time to move on. Next stop is the ferry across the River Shannon, then on to Killarney and our hotel. Most of us haven’t slept in a while, and we definitely could use a shower! But we don’t rush… the countryside scenery is way too lush and beautiful to hurry through it.
     Once we arrive at the Malton Hotel, we get checked in, rested up, and fed a fantastic dinner. After dinner, some members of the group walked the block to the town to check things out. Pubs were the order of the evening. Some chose to stay close by in the hotel and knock a few back in the hotel bar.
It was soon time to search out the elusive lost sleep from the night before. After all, the next day has an itinerary that is crammed full…

Carol prepares to do some serious relaxing

Sunday, September 27, 2015

On our way



     The ultimate meet-up…at Baltimore Washington International. The whole crew caught up with each other at the gate D14.
D-14 - Gateway to our first leg of the trip

      Luckily, we were located near the second home for many of us – Dunkin’ Donuts! Time to fuel up on some serious Joe… if you haven’t done so already. Many of us didn’t sleep as well as we should have last night. Talk about being excited for this trip.
Peggy and Heidi found the coffee to get themselves going
     Our flight to Newark was uneventful, thank heaven. No, we didn’t pass Pope Francis in the air. He made it to Philadelphia before we even left Baltimore. One major blessing is that it was a short flight. Landing in Newark was no problem. I looked out the window of the plane and saw the Jersey Turnpike-with all the congested traffic- and felt right at home. The airport itself is huge. I thought Dulles was humongous… Newark is a close second. And just like everything else in Jersey, it’s still under construction. We pulled in from Baltimore in one wing of the C-concourse. Then we walked to Hoboken to our gate for Shannon, IR. Or it seemed like it. 
Abruzzo Steakhouse in Newark Airport - after lunch and libation

     Lunch was in order before we headed on our major hike to the gate. We found an Italian restaurant on the concourse that was really great. The first thing we had to navigate was the I-pad menu and ordering system. We had to scroll through a lot of entries to find the foods we wanted. The selection was pretty varied too. Abruzzo Steakhouse even had a vegetarian and gluten free menu. Paying for the food was easy too. Just swipe and put your e-mail address in. Whamo… there’s your receipt waiting for you on your laptop. Of course, there was the bar menu too. Taking advantage of the bar was a must. The only problem was the airport prices.
Anne's shopping spree netted her a sign for group shots, just in case we can't find her.
     We had plenty of time to do some shopping. Louise and Anne found a journal at one of the bookstores. This journal had some stickers and a big sign so you can find yourself in crowd scene pictures. Sarah and Sally went looking for adult beverages. (I’m about to join them) The rest of our bunch found the United Lounge and decided to hang out there for a bit.
     Many of us hit a kiosk bar and knocked back some beer. We wanted to be well lubricated for our flight. 
Trish and Richard ordering from Wanderlust's menu i-pad

Sally and Sarah had a head start on all of us
   
 Uh-oh... I feel a parody coming on (this layover is too long)...

<Think of the tune from West Side Story, “Maria”>
We’re waiting.

We’re not getting wasted, we’re waiting.
Tancey and Carol just waiting

Our flight should be on time

And soon it should be time to leave.

We’re waiting.

In Newark we sit and we’re waiting

Already we are pooped, not trying to get looped are we.

Since flying is trying on nerves and our sleeping

We try not start girly weeping

We’re ready, so ready to get on with flying.

The sweetest sound I ever heard
Mary Beth, time to board
 <P.A. announcer>
“United flight 25 is now boarding through gate 96 ”
We’re flying.

    Yep, we’re off. In another five hours we set foot on the Emerald Isle.
     Bring it on!

Photos by Marge McGugan. No reuse without permission.

Friday, September 25, 2015

Countdown!



     Talk about excited….or did I say we are all excited? The Countdown started on Labor Day, with a barbecue get together at Anna’s house. Here’s where we picked up some goodies from C.I.E. Tours in Dublin. Leo works the American end of this tour and C.I.E. handles the Ireland side. This seems to be a long time partnership between TLC Tours and C.I.E. Tours. That means experience, folks. When it’s your first time out, it helps to have a guide and people who know the area with you and looking out for you. Check out C.I.E. Tours to see other trips on the agenda for 2016 at C.I.E. Tours Website.
     When we got to Anna’s house, with pot luck goodies in hand, Patti had a pile of goodies for us. Our final itinerary was in. So were flight numbers and seat assignments. C.I.E. also sent us a backpack, luggage belt, luggage tags, tour information, and a host of other items for us to use on the trip. We purchased chorus backpacks earlier in the planning process and that’s what I planned to use for carry on luggage.  I think I’ll pack the extra backpack for travel items home.
Backpack, itinerary, rain poncho and other items from C.I.E. Tours
       It was so difficult to relax, now that we have all of our official papers in hand. But Anna had some Irish beers on hand to help with the process. Bob manned the grill for us, and we all celebrated Labor Day in a feasting fashion. 
Sally and Sarah toasting the trip
Pat and Bob gassing up the grille
Sally, Mary Beth, Pat and Lynda discussing the trip
Anne and Carol getting excited about the travel
Time for some food
Sarah, Sally, Peggy and Lynda trying to relax
Move over, Esther Williams!
     During the meal, Peggy handed out packing lists for all members. Thank heaven she’s experienced in overseas travel. 
Peggy's comprehensive - but light weight - packing list

     She broke the list down by carry on, checked luggage, and things you better have handy – like, your passport. We took some time to go over the list of songs for the trip. At that point – and maybe this one too, not sure- I haven’t passed all of them. I’m not alone there either. But we have time to rehearse during a five-hour layover in Newark.
     Those who are not singing, but enjoying the trip with us, got a chance to plan some “you’re stuck singing and I’m free to venture elsewhere” trips. Looks like a lot of our friends will leave us at the Convention in Castlebar and take a bike tour near Westport. They must share pictures with us all! Self, next trip over is a purely tourist venture.
Getting ready with safety gear and Euros
     Going over Peggy’s list, I saw I needed to purchase a few things, like: a passport holder, international adaptors, currency, and small toiletries.
    
      Now it’s time to get organized. Dig out Fido (my spinny suitcase). 
Fido even looks hungry... ready to pack up
     Think layers, Self. It should be chilly and damp there, so make sure you are staying warm enough. When the toes get cold, you are cold all over. Costumes must be organized and packed. Time to get the stage make-up out again, and thank heavens, no false lashes are needed. I’m may treat myself to wearing jewelry on the trip. Clothes have to be comfortable. Decisions: pack or carry on the C-Pap? I may pack it on the way over, since I do nap without it. But on the way home, I may do carry  on, since I’ll probably fill the space in the Fido with souvenirs and other mementos.
     Ok, it’s time to roll! Time to pack up and get going.
   
     Under 24 hours and counting…

Photos by Marge McGugan. No reuse without permission.