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!