Christina Came!

Christina came to town last Thursday hooray! This is our very accurate face during the rain on a lighthouse walk, 3 minutes later the sun was shining, that's Ireland for you. I met Christina (my sister-in-law), at the Dublin Airport where she rented a car and we set off for Galway the city of music and the closest city to the Cliffs of Moher. Christina had done a fantastic job researching exactly where she wanted to go and booking places for us to stay. Let's just say it was a complete different trip than with Asa where I planned everything. 

This first night we stayed at a hostel in Galway called The Nest Boutique. It was by far the nicest hostel I have ever stayed in, it was more like a hostel/hotel hybrid. Most of the rooms were private rooms but they still had a communal kitchen and living room with a little fireplace. That night we ate some fish and chips and polenta fries (yum) then went back and read by the fire while drinking the apple cinnamon tea Christina graciously brought me from home, I was in heaven. The next morning we left bright and early, while eating our breakfast, I noticed the music being played by the night guard was Bethel worship music. I told him I loved the music and he got a huge grin and asked me if I was a Christian. We then chatted about his church in Galway and the small Island close to Madagascar the the was from. What a beautiful family we have in Jesus. 

Based on my last time at Cliffs of Moher with Asa, I knew we needed to be there before the 10 am tourist rush. We arrived to a dozen cars in the parking lot. Thankfully the skies were clear and we could see those beautiful cliffs. In the car I looked at the brochure and realized that Harry Potter, and the Princess Bride were both filmed there. Our entire time on the west coast we started seeing locations where we envisioned the Princess Bride easily being filmed. It was really cool to feel more connected to those classic movies. 

"You Castro-Millers always making silly faces in photos"

"Yeah well I'd rather intentionally look bad then try really hard and be like.....yikes that's all I've got?"

Accurate photo of Bella putting her hair up and the wind having another hairstyle in mind. 

After the cliffs of Moher I told Christina we had to go to the Burren National Park where Asa and I went hiking as well. We ended up on the other side of the hill and making our own path straight up instead of the monotonous back and forth path. 

This is our "oh my gosh I'm so cold cause of that wind" face

After the Burren we made our way to Killarny, that beautiful national park I love so much. Christina had booked another smashing little BnB in the woods that reminded me of my grandparents old house in Georgia with the nearby stream and sun room. I mean look at that breakfast! "Everything is locally sourced or homemade". The next day we went back to the hike I had wanted to do but was already 11 miles into my 17 mile day. I was so glad we went back and will definitely take anyone who comes to visit on this hike. 

We both agreed the mossy lush jungle of Killarney was our favorite and talked about where the fairies and gnomes were probably hiding and talking about us. I think that hiking is just an excuse for adults to play and day dream as we once did as children.

I mean come on this is so magical.

While we were at the national park we came across a race that was going on this foggy Saturday morning. It was a bike, kayak, run race throughout the national park. All sorts of people from clear iron man enthusiasts to soccer moms were partaking. It reminded me of all those cross country races I either participated in our watched Asa in. 

Thanks to having a car, we were able to drive up into the national park, something I can't do using the train and bus system. It was absolutely stunning. This is the Ladies View which I kept calling the "Ladies Choice". Can you spot little Christina in her blue jacket taking in the sight? 

Honestly, I'm going to email Blundstones and ask them if they will sponsor me for life, because I will definitely continue to buy these shoes when they fall apart in 20 years since I wear them every. single. day. I've converted most of Wichita to these Australian boots. Get them on postmark because 1.cheaper 2.buy second hand. 

The next day we headed toward the south and Sheeps Head. We stopped in the adorable town of Kenmare. It reminded me of a Colorado mountain town. This is a very accurate photo of my time in Ireland. Reusable cup in hand (hello sustainability) rain jacket and Blundstones on, standing by myself... 

We kept driving through the insane countryside of southern Ireland. We passed casual farmers and their children riding four wheelers and Adidas wearing sheep herders. What an interesting place. This was me attempting to take a photo of Christina and I but she didn't quite make it. 

We made it to Sheep Head which is a peninsula on the very south coast and has a 1km hike toward to a small little light house. On this walk God and I made a pact that I would live somewhere were at least once a week I could get out into untouched nature. He told me I might need to broaden my definition of nature from British Colombia or Ireland. I said ok and the pact was made. 

We found the Ireland Stonehenge. Here's a photo of my rudely jumping in front of Christina's photo. 

On Tuesday since I didn't have class during the day we went to Kensale and visited Charles Fort, an old military fort from the Spanish invasion then used again during the Irish civil war. 

All in all it was a delightful visit and such a refresher to have a taste of home and family.