Wrapping it up...back to Ireland and Belgium

As you can ascertain from the title...this was my second trip back to Ireland and once again...Mother Nature treated me well. Check out that blue sky and sunshine. I do live a charmed life.

The reason to head back was twofold. To see Rosaleen (Magic Bus) in Waterford since I missed her on my first trip and to see part of Western Ireland...Galway to be specific. The added bonus was hooking up with Dave in Dublin...one of the 4 Irish guys who I almost drank myself to death with in St. Kilda Australia.



Although public transit is an oxymoron when it comes to travelling anywhere outside of Dublin, I managed to find my way to the west coast. I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but in all my travels...only Ireland has you line up in single file before allowing you on a train. I find that very strange. It felt more like an airport than a train station.



This time in Ireland was the first really cold weather I had experienced since leaving in October 2007...and I was not ready for it. I was frozen, but the compromise was that I had sunshine.

Galway was beautiful and my only regret was not having time to see the Cliffs of Moor. But I had to make a decision and I opted to take a day tour to Connemara and it was breathtaking.



It was then back to the east coast...through Dublin of course because that's the only way trains run in Ireland and finally found my way down to Waterford. Rosaleen picked me up from the train station with her sister Marie and off we went for a fabulous home cooked meal and out to the nightclubs with a few friends.

This is where I saw another side of Ireland. I had partied with many great Irish people before, and therefore was dumbfounded when I found so many extremely rude people at the nightclub. Guys and girls would just push you out of their way as though you didn't exist. Now all the fighting makes sense as I felt like killing a few people as well. It was also here where I saw the stereotypical Irish drunks. I had never seen so many (once again...guys and girls) falling down drunks in one place in all my life. It was bizarre!!! I think I'll stick to pubs if I find myself in Ireland again.


Speaking of Irish pubs...the adhoc jam sessions that go on in most of the pubs are fabulous and the atmosphere is electric without the crazies of the nightclub. Galway was incredible for this and added to the definite beauty of the city. For the culture and the sights...it's another must see for you soon-to-be travellers.

Another RyanAir flight (without the bouncy landing) found me in Belgium for the second time. I really skated through Brussels my first time around and glad I found time to get back to enjoy it properly.

Now Brussels was even colder than Ireland, but that didn't stop most of the population from enjoying a drink or snack on the outdoor cafes. I checked for some heaters and didn't find any, so kudos for them. They must be tougher than I am (which isn't that hard), but I looked at them as more crazy than I am (and that takes some effort).

It was while I was standing at the train station in Brussels waiting to hop on a train to Bruges that I witnessed the first snow fall I had seen in almost 14 months. Unfortunately, it was a half snow, half rain kind of sleet and Australia was looking very good at that moment. Bruges in a very cool little town and I really enjoyed walking along the waterways. It also had two very cool squares which were set up as a winter village selling anything and everything, but even in December...tourists were everywhere.

The big allure for me about Belgium is that the two things it's famous for is its beer and its chocolate...two of my favourite things! So I made sure to try as many of each as possible so that I could give you, the readership, an honest critique. It is my duty to inform you, that both the beer and the chocolate was FANTASTIC! Definitely get the hot Belgium waffles with chocolate on top. Honestly...it's to die for!! The things I do for you guys.

However, the mulled wine (heated red wine with a few other ingredients) did not suit my taste buds at all...(can my drinking buddies from around the world stop reading now)...and I actually threw most of it out...I know...please forgive me for the alcohol abuse. I promise never to do it again...now that's a promise I look forward to keeping.


I'm now down to my last few days and have to find my way back to England, but this time in the student town of Brighton before flying home from Gatwick airport. I can hardly believe it's time to go home. See you in Brighton!!