We were woken up early, around 2 something by something sounding like gunshots. About to jump on the floor when they stopped. We had to get up at this hour anyway, for our early morning flight. We tried to downsize our check luggage to the 15kg Ryan Air limit. At the airport, we would learn that we failed miserably and were charged heavy extra weight charges. Anyway, the hotel people told us to step outside and flag a cab. We stepped out and the streets were empty, except for a cab who happened to be driving by. So we flagged the cab- and took it to Liverpool station. The cabbie directed us to a certain area, where we checked with a driver who sent us running to a but telling us it was leaving. But that wasn't correct so running through the streets of London at 3:30am failed miserably. We walked around and around and finally found a bus map picture, and were able to make it to the bus with about 5 minutes to spare. YAY. So we made it to Stanstead Airport and flew to Cork. Arriving at Cork, Kim's friend picked us up and we went to her house, dropped our stuff off and ventured out to explore Ireland. We visited Blarney Castle and the town of Blarney, as well as Cork University and then went shopping a little bit. Spent the evening at Magda's in Cork.
July 10, 2004
We got up late, and then took the Train to Kinsale. We checked out Charles Fort, and some pubs. and had a wonderful supper at an Italian restaurant in Cork. The anti-smoking ban was a pleasant change, after Europe!
July 11, 2004
Today we ventured on the train to Killarney, and rented bikes and checked out Muckross House and biked around 10kms. We also got honked at by a large bus!
July 12, 2004
Up at around 6 to get to Cork airport, to catch our flight. Arriving in London, we waited half an hour extra as our luggage was delayed. We then caught a shuttle to Gatwick Airport (several hour ride). We spent our time in the aiport- had McDs for the first time in Europe, used the Internet, didn't get charged for our extra luggage but instead the nice air transat people had us transfer our heavy stuf in our carry on to our check luggage. (YAY!) Our movies were 50 First Dates, Hidalgo, and another one which I don't remember. Our seatmate was from Vancouver and had been backpacking- he was a nice person to talk to and kept the flight better with candy! Arriving in Calgary and clearing customs, my friend Trish picked us up around 10pm Calgary time and we slept there. She also woke us up 5:30ish to catch our early morning flight back to Regina. By 9am, we were home. What a time we had...
