The Dingle Peninsula

We worked our way down to Dingle with a ferry ride and 4 buses. So we ended up spending a majority of the first day in Dingle just wandering the streets and sitting by the bay. When we arrived at our hostel, we could hear the hallelujah chorus playing: they had TOWELS for us to use. Real ones. And a bowl of fresh fruit. All this PLUS we were the only ones staying in the dorm. This was over and above the other hostels we stayed in, which may give you an idea of our accommodations so far. :) 

Our second day in Dingle began with a traditional Irish breakfast complete with bacon, sausage, eggs, beans (Amanda's favorite), pudding (yuck), and a tomato. 

We toured some shops and Amanda and Twyla both bought some paintings and shipped them home because they were too big to fit in their backpacks. We then went to Paddy's bike rental (sent to by another Paddy, who convinced us his pal was the best in town) and set out for our 25 mile bike ride along Slea Head drive. And yes we did wear the adorable helmets. The peninsula was absolutely beautiful as we winded in and out along the coast. We stopped several times to take pictures and catch our breath. At one point the road became very narrow and windy. A tour bus was attempting to pass a car and they probably did a dance for a good 10-15 mins before both could proceed to their route. Good thing we were past them and could watch from a distance! 

Somehow between the road and the gravel Twyla managed to stop too quickly and slid out again. She attempted to put a foot down but rolled her ankle and fell off the bike. Another bruise and road rash to add to the collection. Amanda also managed to jam her knee into the handle bar ... Both of them look like they have gotten into a fight. Olivia is bruise- free at the moment- a miracle indeed. 

At one point we saw some tourists looking over a small beach, so we stopped to see it. Even though it was beautiful, we thought we could get a better look by climbing over the farmer's stone wall. This time, none of us got hurt and we climbed to the top of a huge hill where we saw a 360 view of the ocean, the Sleeping Giant, the Three Sisters, a green field, and the village on the hill. So worth the climb!

The Sleeping Giant

The Three Sisters 

Back on the bikes we went, although we could have kept the sheep company up there for a while. We stopped for directions once when the road split and the signs were unfamiliar.  We were informed that all the road signs were written in Gaelic, and finally figured out which ones pointed us to Dingle. After we were pointed in the right direction we climbed up one last big hill (the only hill Olivia and Twyla had to push their bikes up- Amanda rode the whole way- go Amanda go!) we finally made it to the top and then sped down the last stretch into Dingle. 

The last part we came to had a huge round about to turn off to Dingle... Our most dreaded feat. Amanda led the way into the circle, but Olivia and Twyla failed to yield so they screamed the whole way around. A local young man leaned out the window and mockingly made "crazy biker" gestures and facial expressions... We can't blame him! 

After we made it made it back to Dingle we stopped by the park, took a nap break (sort of) and realized how burnt we had gotten during the day. We dropped the bikes off at our hostel and went out for pizza. Olivia then got her mouth stuck open for a bit... don't ask. She's just a freak of nature. 

We popped into O'Sullivans for drinks and good music. Here, we ran into four lovely ladies from San Diego (shout out to Leanne, Anna Beth, Jillian, and Sheryl). We swapped stories with them: they are traveling together at the ages of 60-65.  Four friends seeing the world. Just like us. We want to be like them when we grow up! We told them about our blog and they decided to make one themselves. 

In the morning, we had to return our bikes and head to the bus stop. To save time, we decided it would be wise to pack our now 25 pound bags on our backs and simultaneously pedal through town. Let's just say we looked REALLY cool and no one would have guessed we were from out of town.  

On the bus, we ran into two California fellows who we had seen before on the bus to the Aran islands and then again at the pub the night before. (We think they were following us...) We ended up talking to them on the bus and discovered one is an aspiringing musician who we talked into serenading us at our next stop. Keep your eye out for Chris Kellems. We may have been swooning over this young man. 

This evening is very Oregon-esque: we spent the afternoon in a cafe eating cake and journaling. We were given free scones (5 to be exact)... A goldmine to our regular toast, ham and cheese sandwiches, and pasta. On our walk back it finally (after 9 days of sunshine) poured on us. The rain drenched the paper bag that held the scones and caused Olivia to drop them all over the middle of the intersection just as she was singing "Bicycle!" to a group of passing cyclists. Classic. 

With wet faces and wet feet we are turning in early this evening. Tomorrow we fly out of beloved Ireland and join up with our fourth traveling companion in London. Jill- we have been waiting for you and are ready for you to join this gong show!!!!!