Fall Travel 2014: Ireland Bike Tour Sept 3

We rode our bikes a short ways from Sheedy's Hotel, (http://www.sheedys.com/) in Lisdoonvarna to the Doolin Ferry.

Our boat was called the Happy Hooker – a reference to hooking fish. 

 We boarded the ferry under cloudy skies, but on the way the sun came out to greet us.

After lunch it was a short ride and long hike up to see a castle ruin, The Black Fort. The Black Fort sits atop sheer cliffs; also Burren formations that drop 300-400 feet straight down.  Tiny fossils could be seen in the sandstone we walked over. Grikes and Clints (crevasses and blocks) in the sandstone insured that we paid attention to where we placed our feet.

 My bike

 You can see the Burren, kind of tilted off in the distance...

 Tiny Fossils

The fort

They built these walls to keep the invaders out!

The entire island of Inis Mor is only about 8k in length, so our ride to our lodging didn’t take too lone. We rode along the lovely coastline enjoying the cows, scenery and sunshine.

 So happy to see the sunshine!

Killmurvey House

http://www.irelandwide.com/acom/kilmurveyhouse/index.htm

Fall Travel 2014: Ireland Bike Tour Sept 2

Yesterday we covered about 35 miles. Challenging for me, but the rest of the group (5 others) seemed fine....

This morning we ventured out to see the Cliffs of Moher.

Ross and Jess and the electric fence that zapped me when I backed into it to take this photo!

After the Cliffs of Moher we went on a loop ride up the coast road toward Black Head and then inland through the Burren, the vast limestone plateau. 

 The stark bare rock resembles a lunar landscape – all gray, made even more flat by the gray skies above.

Riding through this landscape, alone, because I seem to be a slower rider than the others, was a very peaceful yet exhilarating experience!

We stopped for lunch at a small cafe where a couple just leaving told us about an Irish author, James O'Donohue (John O'Donohue) that she recommended. She was on her way across the street to see his grave. I just read one of his books, "Anam Ćara" in preparation for this trip! So I had to...

Then it was back on the bikes and North along the coast!

 (waiting for me!)

219  

 Halfway!

The next sight to see as the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a buriel chamber dating back to 4200-2900 BCE, translation: “The hole of the sorrows.”

220

Following the loop we arrived back at Sheedys in time for a shower and another fantastic dinner!

Fall Travel 2014: Ireland Bike Tour August 31-Sept 1

Arrived at Shannon Airport early Sunday morning, August 31. I met up with my biking companions, Jerry and Rachael, on the plane from New Jersey. Passport control at Shannon was an easy affair - no lines, no worries!

Our driver was waiting or us and we were quickly whisked away to our hotel, The Old Ground, in Ennis.

Monday morning we were outfitted with our bikes and headed out to see....

I was generally at the end of the group as I don't pedal as quickly as they do, but I made it!

The scenery was beautiful - weather; cool and pleasant. We had lunch here...

Just a few photos of short stops we made on the way to Lisdoonvarna where we stayed at Sheedys Hotel.

Fall Travel 2014: NYC

I headed out to see and be in New York and visit family and friends on Sunday August 24th. Arriving at EWR I easily took the people mover to the NY Rail and caught a 6pm train into Penn Station. A short taxi ride brought me to my cousin's home in Tribeca - a lovely spot with a killer view of the new Freedom Tower.

This photo was taken from just across the street, but you get the idea!  

The weather was warm, but not unbearable for August in NYC and I enjoyed my time walking up to the West Village, through Washington Square, Central Park, the Top of The Rock and taking the ferries out to NJ for family visits. One night I saw Lady Day with Audra McDonald as Billie Holiday. She's incredible in this! All this before heading off to Ireland for a week of bicycling, Guinness and scenery that makes you want to cry!

No explanation necessary...

City lights from NY Waterway Ferry

Tappen Zee Bridge beneath perfect clouds

Chasing the Sun - Japan by Sea Map

I'm learning how to put maps of where I've been and where I'll be going onto my blog!

This isn't exactly how we got to every single location - but it gives you the general idea.

Chasing the Sun – Optional Extension to Kamakura & Hakone

21 guests joined Leslie, Akiko and me on the three-day extension. I was no longer required (or being paid) to be a tour manager, but I was still seen by most people as a TM, but it wasn’t any big deal because this was such an easy and delightful group of people to be with. I enjoyed good conversations and time on my own to contemplate life!

Kamakura is a cute and ancient seaside town where the main attractions are an outdoor Buddha (his temple burnt down) and some great shopping.

The Diabutsu Buddha

We checked into our hotel in Hakone. This hotel is a Ryokan or traditional Japanese spa hotel with natural hot spring waters. There are both private, in your room, soaking tubs and communal baths for both sexes. I tried both and tended to prefer the one in my room!

My Room

My tub – you shower and bathe first, then get in the tub to soak.

We wore robes and slippers once we were inside the resort, even to dinner! It was very relaxing and interesting. The food was very traditional and I tried everything, (at least one bite).

Me in my robe

Our dining tables were about 18 inches off the ground.

Dining in our snazzy robes

Traditional Japanese Breakfast

Tried it

Not going to be a favorite!

We only had one full day for sight seeing. But made the most of it...

The Hakone Sculpture Garden

Via a cable car to see the Hakone Volcano, the source of the hot springs

It involved a nice climb, too!

Bonus! Although it had been raining all morning we got a glimpse of Mt. Fuji as we boarded the buses

Dinner this evening was very interesting because we cooked our food in a paper bowl that didn’t catch fire from the tiny sterno that was lit beneath it.

The next day we returned to Tokyo via the bullet train – it only took 35 minutes!

Checked back into the Palace Hotel, packed and took time to enjoy the view! What a great trip!

Balcony view over Imperial Palace moat and gardens

Bubble bath view

Just chillin’ view

I’m now back in Incline Village, working on getting over the jet lag, writing a trip report and making plans for the next adventure –Biking the west coast of Ireland in early September. I’ve got a few weeks to get in shape and hope to have the energy to begin working on that tomorrow, or maybe the next day!