Easter weekend - trip to County Clare, Ireland

I was ecstatic last week. It was a short week as it was Easter Weekend. Longest weekend of the year. Luke was coming over to visit and we planned to drive away for the long weekend. Co Clare was the target. Ramz was coming along too. She purposely took a few days off as well. All was well planned.

Chevrolet Mantiz was rented. Not too bad at all. It was cheap rental really (about Eur65 for 4 days), accordingly to Luke. He was saying, in Brussels for the price of the weekend rental that I paid, he would only be getting a day worth of rental. I guess that was a bargain really.

We picked up Ramz at about 8.00am on that Saturday (11 Apr 2009) and we drove to immediately to Co Clare. We used M50, and then N7. We got lost a bit, but thanks to my skill of map-reading (ops, sorry, I could only compliment myself, since no one compliments me), we managed to take the regional roads all the way to Dooling - the village we stayed in.

+ This is it - Cliff of Moher!

+ Cliff of Moher - isn't that something?

We got to Doolin and checked in at out place to stay - Aille River Hostel. It was nice. It was clean - the number one priority. We decided quickly to go to Cliff of Moher since it was such a beautiful day. We had a blast on top of the cliff. It was a scary experience since the cliff is so high up from the water level. We had a good time, from taking photographs, to dropping the camera to shooting Bollywood-like video of Luke interviewing Asywara Rai Abdullah. It was fantastic. We were so worried that Ramz like to take photos close to the edge of the cliffs while me and Luke - we stayed away from the cliffs so much so, it felt so wrong to be too close to the plain when the whole intention was to experience the cliffs :)

+ Look at the signs - no wonder we were lost for a bit. But the breakfast at the Tea Junction was nice

+ Poulnabrone - portal that's erected before pyramids!

We did not leave the opportunity to sample the famous seafood chowder, since that area is famous for its fishery. Nothing to shout about. It can't rival the clam chowder of San Francisco really, that is still the best. Perhaps the next trip, we will be off to San Francisco, to sample the chowder by the bay.

The next day, it was time to leave. We checked out early. We checked out by 9.00am. We decided to take the regional road by the sea. It was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, of course. Ireland is famous for its countryside. There were some friends who visited Ireland (read: Dublin) and said, there is nothing to see. Well it is up to one's preference. I think it applies to all towns and cities in the world, there are bound to be something that will attract you, all you have to do is to open your mind and embrace the magic it has to offer.

+ Quin Abbey - off Ennis

Anyway, on the way back we decided to drop all the plan to use the same route to go back to Dublin. Instead we went through Ennis, Limerick and Tipperary. Again, we stumbled many castles, cemeteries, small tiny villages, cattle and sheep and more greens. We got home at about 8.00pm and we took the chance to drive to the city for some Nasi Ayam, at Charlie's. The foods were plentiful.

The next day - Monday, 13th April 2009 - the weather was not as good. We decided to go to Howth. I have not been to Howth. Again, its scenic picturesque landscape has attracted millions but we discovered more than that - their seafood chowder was not bad! It was nice. We had a bowl to be shared. And we did not miss the chance to buy some seafood.

+ Howth is beautiful too, albeit being so close to Dublin city

+ Cute seals in Howth water

It was one of memorable vacation really. Thank god for the long weekend. It was fantastic. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is visiting Ireland to do drive into the country. It never fails to impress and surprise you. Till next time, thanks Luke, thanks Ramz - it was great long weekend.