Of how I met Jeremie and Rita

To get to know new people and make new friends is one of the best things in traveling. People you've never met before but with whom you immediately develop some kind of connection, with whom you feel like sharing experiences, exchanging ideas, getting advises from and even doing some travelling together. It's reassuring!

Rita and Jeremie on the ferry from Rossaveal (Ros an Mhíl) to Inishmore (inis Mór).

Recently, while travelling in Ireland and Northern Ireland, I got to know these awesome guys. I met Rita and Jeremie while on my way from Galway to the Aran Islands, in Ireland. I came to the bus stop and ask this young couple if this would be the right bus to reach the ferry to the islands, what they confirm immediately. The guy, Jeremie as I got to know later, sayd he'd go for a coffee and asks me if I would like to have one. Although a bit surprised with the unexpected offer I accepted. He left and I kept talking to the girl, Rita. Once he comes back I had to inquire him why did he offer me the coffee just like, out of nothing, without even knowing me. His answer:

"Many people we don't know do good things to us and we do good things to other people, as well."

Jeremie on the ferry.

That was enough for me to know I'd get along well with those guys. We kept talking in the bus on the way to Rossaveal (Ros an Mhíl) and in the ferry, from there to Inishmore (Irish Inis Mór), the largest of the Aran Islands (Oileáin Árann). Rita, irish, lived for around 10 years in Marseille, France, where she met Jeremie, which is originally from that city.

Rita on the ferry.

I got some hints from them about where to go and what to do on the Island. They told where they came from and how they ended up living in Inishmore for a few months. After I told them I was originally Brazilian, they demonstrated a huge curiosity about the country, specially about they rain forest. So, we got enough stuff to talk about during the journey.

Getting to know Rita and Jeremie on the ferry.

Once we reached the harbor of Inishmore it was time to say goodbye. Jeremie and Rita still invited me to stop by and have a coffee at their place after my cycling tour on the island.

Having an vague idea of were they lived I decided to pass by and have that coffee before leaving. It wasn't easy but I managed to find their house, and for my surprise, such an unexpected place. A one round room stony house, almost disappearing in the middle of the vegetation house and not far away from beach. Awesome!

Rita and Jeremie's house.

After announcing my arrival, Rita and Jeremie, kindly invited me to enter their "living room, kitchen, bedroom and kitchen". We had another nice chat involving the island, the fairies living on the islands and plans for Christmas. Well, I left them with the promise they'd get a postcard from Munich with my address in Africa. Who knows I get a postcard from them once I'm there? or maybe an unexpected visit?

Rita and Jeremie at their house on Inishmore (Inis Mór).

Jeremie "Chapeau" and Rita Marharg it's been a huge pleasure to meet you along the way!

Cheers!

Welcome in Inishmore (Inis Mór), the stony island

The Aran Islands (irish Oileáin Árann) are three small islands located at the west coast of Ireland, in the Atlantic Ocean, more exactly in the bay of Galway, one of the most biggest cities in the country.

Stone walls in the green: the face of Inishmore.

Typical landscape on Inishmore.

In the three islands, Inishmore (irish Inis Mór), Inismaan (irish Inis Meáin) and Inisheer (irish Inis Oírr) live around 1,200 inhabitants, which speaks primarily Gaelic.

View of the west coast of Inishmore with the cliffs and the village Gort na gCapall.

The first thing I did after docking at the harbor of Inishmore was to rent a bike. For 10€/day one can get it and be flexible to move on the island. there many rent-a-bike shops right at the harbor.

My companion on the island.

The stony tracks on Inishmore.

I've been cycling on the island for around 5 hours and could cover at least half of it. Starting uphill to the highest point of the island.

Ruins of a fortress located on the highest point of Inishmore.

Then west along the stone walls till I got to the cliffs.

View from the west coast of the island.

The stony ground of Inishmore.

Down the road on the wets side there is the village Gort na gCapall. All I got to do to get there was to speed up downhill. Awesome! 

Then the way back along the beaches at the east coast. An stop at the seal colony is compulsory. From far the one can observe the lazy buddies either laying at the beach or stretching their heads and tails out of the water.

Beach with seal colony.

 Beach with the seal colony.

The seal colony on Inishmore.

Panorama of the seal colony.

Cycling on Inishmore was such an amazing experience. The landscapes on the island are breathtaking: riding along those stone walls, getting close to the cliffs, speeding up downhill and seeing the seal in the nature for the first time was unique!

Loved Ireland, its people,its landscapes and rainbows. Even considering to live there if I caome back to Europe one day!

Cheers people ... and visit Ireland. It's awesome!

Aran Island (Oileáin Árann): how to get there?

After leaving Limerick I headed up north to Galway with aiming to reach the Aran Islands from there. My dear friend Marta spent a summer before in Ireland and recommended me to put it  on my plans.

No! No! No! The bicylce is the best way to move on the island, but not to get there. Let give you some hints about to do it.

My companion on Inishmore.

Quite easy to move around in Ireland with the Bus Éireann (buseireann.ie). So, I took the coach from Limerick to Galway. For the track 25€, which took approx. 1:30 min.

How to get to the Aran Islands from Galway?

First get the ticket for the bus and the ferry. The return ticket for the first costs 7€ and for the latter 25€ from the shop on the Eyre Square. Some hostels sell the ferry tickets as well.

At the harbor in Rossaveal (Ros a. Mhil).

For a one day excursion take the bus leaving at 9:30 from the Queen Street (very close to the Eyre Square) to reach the harbor of Rossaveal (Irish Ros an Mhíl), from where the ferry leaves at 10:30. See the track below. It returns to Rossaveal at 5pm. Once you lose it, you stay on the island.

The way covered by the bus from Galway (Gaillimh) to Rossaveal (Ros an Mhíl).

From the bus is possible to see some of the landscapes of the Connemara (irish Conamara) district.

Harbor at Rossaveal.

From Rossaveal to the harbor in Inishmore (Irish Inis Mór) it takes almost one hour on the Atlantic Ocean. Apparently they do the track more frequently during the summer. Get informed!

The way of the ferry from Rossaveal (Ros an Mhíl) to Inishmore (Inis Mór).

On the ferry and wet all over ...but enjoying.

Depend on the weather it can be quite adventurous trip, like in my case. Lucky me!

I still got to know great people while on the ferry to the islands. Rita and Jeremie were just lovely and invited me to have a coffee at their place. They deserved their own post. See next! :)

Rita and Jeremie on the ferry. Sweet peeps!

So, you guys got enough of instructions. To have a little tast of what expect you on the island check the next post.

Cheers peeps!

A short stop in Limerick (Luimneach)

After saying goodbye to Will I took the time to explore Limerick on my own.

Got some time to visit the King John's Castle and have walk along the Shannon river.

In Limerick I found nice spots where I could experiment a bit with my hipstamatic films and lenses: churches, graveyards, bridges, graffits, etc.

A nice one at the Church Street.

By the Shannon river.

At St. Mary's Church.

A few more shots from the King John's castle. Btw, this has been the bad guy from Robin Hood's stories. The castle got his name but he's never been there actually.

I even got I nice view of the city from the top of the King John's Castle tower.

Being in Limerick one must go to the pub "The Locke" (http://www.lockebar.com/) at the Georges's Quay. More traditional impossible. Live Irish music everyday! Typical irish food and the good irish biers! Go there!

Time to take the coach to Galway (Irish Gaillimh) and from there to the Aran Islands (Irish Oileáin Árann).

Cheers peeps!

Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair): hold on tight once you're there

Will and I headed to the Cliffs of Moher (irish Aillte an Mhothair) in the county Clare, at the west coast of Ireland after leaving Leitrim.

Cliffs of Moher ( Aillte an Mhothair).

We drove past Galway and headed southwest through the landscape of Burren (irish An Bhoireann) which means "stony place".

Tipycal landscape in Burren (An Bhoireann).

Ruins in the landscape in Burren (An Bhoireann).

Danguire Castle in Kinvara (irish Cinn Mhara), county Galway.

The cliffs of Moher are one of the most famous natural attractions of Ireland. The view from the cliffs is breathtaking.

Clliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair), county Galway.

The entrance fee for adults costs 4€ including the parking. There is a souvenir and a coffee shop on the top of the cliff.

lliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair), county Galway.

They stretch a few kilometers along the coast and reach heights between 120 and 240m.

A great place for kids to play.

On the top of it the wind coming from the Atlantic Ocean gets such a power and speed after hitting the cliffs, that can rips one off of the ground.

Indeed!

One of the most impressive places I've ever been. It's so massive, and strong, and beautiful. It makes one feel somehow small in front of so much "grandness."

Definitely recommended!

Hold on tight everyone!

Cheers!

To Sligo (Sligeach) for the Ben Bulben (Binn Ghulbain)

From the very north in Northern Ireland Will and I drove down to Sligo, in the province Connacht, back in Ireland, to check its natural beauties.

We spent the night in Sligo and left the hostel very early to see what it's hilly surroundings are about.

We reached the plateau Ben Bulben, 16 north from Sligo by sunrise.

Being at that impressive place in the early morning with the sun about to rise made the whole experience very special.

Will drove further to the Glencar waterfalls just around the Ben Bulben, at the Glencar Lough. Once there I experienced one of the most beautiful sunrises ever.

Such an outstanding and typical landscape one can only see in Ireland.

Amazed by all this beauty.

Now to the cliffs of Moher.

Cheers everyone!