Marph and the Ring of Kerry

Last week Thursday was Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day), and in the Netherlands it is a public holiday. Since we are normally required to take the Friday off, we decided to get away for the long weekend. After a quick scan of available flights, and seeing which of the cheap flights corresponded with our list of 'must see sights', we decided to head to South-West Ireland to explore the Ring of Kerry. This is Marph's blog and we hope you enjoy it. 

YAY! It is good to be back on the blog. So Justin and Bronwen had told me that we were going to visit the land of Leprechauns, four-leaf clovers and the friendliest people in the world. We didn't see any gold-smuggling Leprechauns and that four-leaf clover looked suspiciously like Marijuana (living in the Netherlands you learn a thing or two). But the people were definitely friendly! 

Our tour started in Cork.

Just outside of Cork we visited Blarney Castle. We climbed to the top and kissed a famous stone. 

From Cork we made our way along the River Lee towards the coast, but not before stopping in Macroom and checking out the old town fortifications. 

Eventually, after many winding roads, we made it to the coast.

We carried on along the coast and joined up with the Ring of Kerry. Highlights included the Lakes of Killarney and Valentia Island.

We saw a million shades of green. Rolling hills. Awesome cliffs. Scenic coastlines.
And SHEEP!

My memento to remind me of the Irish sheep. 

We saw rivers...

and waterfalls...

and then still more amazing coastlines!

Sometimes the GPS wasn't quite sure where we were (or where we were headed)...

but we kept finding these amazing sights anyway! 

And even on the way back to the airport there was time for one last bit of exploring. 

And then the weekend was over and it was time to go home. Today was spent sleeping while the other 2 went to earn some more money so that we can go exploring again. Next adventure: the land of chocolates, clocks and cows! 

(But I'm sure the other 2 will have some boring story and dreary photos from our time in Ireland that they also want to share with you first...)