Beauty and Eloquence

This morning, the three musketeers (yes, that's us) were greeted by a foggy Irish day. We went downstairs for a breakfast. The hotel we were staying in was a old wool mill. They had obviously renovated. But it left the restaurant part very open with big windows. A nice way to start your morning. 

After breakfast we walked to the Blarney Castle. Florian warned us we might spend a lot of time there. That was an understatement. I truly could have spent all day there. Large gardens surround the historic infamous castle. With Jurassic Park looking trees, rivers, water falls, huge trees, and hidden caves, it was gorgeous. First however we went through the Blarney Castle. 

I had known about the stone at the top of the castle. But I didn't know about the castle itself. It's incredible. The castle hasn't been renovated. They make it safe enough to walk through. Although Florian noted how America would have a field day with those law suits. They put few signs up in each section or room to denote what they assume it use to be. But mostly they let you use your imagination. As the steep, wet, and incredibly narrow steps twist through the castle, you imagine who walked there and what the castle used to be. 

We wound our way up the steps to the very top where the Blarney Stone is located. An elderly gentleman sat there to help you lean over and kiss the stone. A younger man sat there as well to take a professional picture. I had my personal photographer, Florian, take a picture so I wouldn't have to buy one. Success! 

After we all felt more eloquent, we headed back down to explore the gardens. Okay, maybe we weren't feeling more eloquent...

We discussed how the summer must be beautiful here. But you must take into account our peaceful uncrowned visit of winter versus the blooming flowers of summer. We decided we are okay with our timing. Despite the flowers not being in full bloom, the gardens blew me away. Especially when Stef and I discovered an amazing tree to play on. I was thrilled because my arm didn't hurt and allowed me to climb up the tree. A photoshoot ensued. 

As you can see, we had a lot of fun with the tree. It was massive and uniquely designed to say the least. The last stop in the garden were the "Wishing Steps." The legend says if you can walk down and back up the steps with your eyes closed your wish will come true in one year. The trick is you can only think of your wish while doing so. Apparently I'm to much of a scatter brain to have that work. The eyes closed was no problem. Focusing? Psh. Impossible. 

I laughed and skipped- literally- out of Blarney Castle and Gardens. I can't wait to go back sometime. There is so much to see and so much land to enjoy. 

After that we drove to Killarney. Florian told us that Ross House and Castle was what you see here. Florian: the never ending perfect tour guide... If you can handle the sharp tongue, bitter comments, and sometimes to mean jokes, he's available for hire as a tour guide! Stef commented today, "It's like you two will be best friends one moment, then throw out a mean joke just to make it seem like you aren't." Luckily for Florian, I put up with the sarcasm. Even more lucky for myself, Florian puts up with my sarcasm! 

As we began to walk around Ross House's courtyard a young man in a thick Irish accent came up to us. He offered us a horse drawn carriage tour. I must have looked like a 3-year-old wanting ice cream. Florian laughed and said let's do it. I happily pet the horse "Paddy" as our new Irish friend got the carriage ready. It was a 45 minute tour around the land. He narrated history, answered my persistent questions about horses and Ireland, and even took our pictures. Halfway through he lets us out to go see waterfalls then continues the tour. It was the perfect way for me to see the land. Florian asked me if I was getting sick of looking at a horse's butt. Since there were windows on the carriage I could have seen out those. But there's no better way to see the world than through the ears of a horse. 

We walked around a bit more in the gardens. Our tour guide had told us the original family spent 6 years building the house for the Queen to spend 3 nights there. Worthwhile hopefully... Then the owner decided to give it to his granddaughter. On her way to come claim her present, she got sick on the boat and died. They must have given up after that because they gave the house and land to the state. It is now a national park. Florian commented that proportionately it's the Wrangell-St. Elias of Ireland. In our wanderings we found another tree. I was still excited about being able to use my arm to climb. So up I went! The branches were a bit thicker. The pictures were a bit like Where's Waldo. See if you can find the Becca! 

After the Ross Gardens, we headed to Killarney again to find a hotel. We found a very nice hotel called The Brehon. It was a bit funny because we all commented on how we got some nasty looks from other guests as we walked in with our backpacks and hiking shoes. Little did we know that would change... 

We settled in and went back out to Killarney to grab some dinner. We found a nice cafe with a very cool design inside.  Lights changed colors on the intricate designed ceiling. The couch like seating offered a very relaxed feel. But the food was spectacular. I also learned that when you order 2 scoops of ice cream, you get this. I must have looked like such a greedy child. Oh well! 

After dinner, we head back to our hotel. In the lobby, they beautifully had displayed a grand piano. Stef had been excited about it and asked if he could play it. Florian and I grabbed drinks, sat down on the couch next to the fire, and enjoyed the show. Stef began to play. If you've never heard Stef play, you are missing out. You can feel his passion and love for music radiate through every note. But it becomes even more amazing when you find out he has been improvising the last 20 minutes of glorious music. The same people who had been scowling at these ragmuffin kids now were bringing drinks to listen. A young woman with her boyfriend was shedding tears of joy. The scene was magical for everyone, and a bit victorious for the three musketeers. I thanked Stef for saving our reputation in this hotel. 

Tomorrow we are planning on doing the Ring of Kerry. Hopefully it is a sunny day so we get good views of the ocean. To be continued...