Coming to an end...

Well, I am sitting in Dan's house in Ireland!!!

It is crazy to think that the first time we met, even before we knew each others names, that he told me I should come stay with him while I was in Europe and here I am!!!

To pick up were I left off...

I went by train to Marseille. I only stayed for one afternoon but I had a great time there. I found the place that I was staying in, which turned out to be more like a student flat than a hostel. There was free Internet, food and great people.
I went out and walked around the town. I found a nice beach and sat there for some time. It was really nice to be in a place where it was warm. Though that did not last long it was nice.
I went back to the hostel to make dinner and then hung out with some of the people staying at the hostel. It was a great time.

Beach in Marseille.
Looking out over the Harbor in Marseille.

The next morning I walked to the train station and caught a bus to the airport. From there I flew to Manchester. I spent about an hour walking around Manchester and then caught a bus to Edinburgh.

I spent two nights in Edinburgh. The day in between, I did the Walking tour and just wandered around the City. It is a Pretty place with the castle on the hill top.

The walking tour was cool. We learned about a pub called the Last drop. It was owned by a Lady who had been hung and while being taken away to be buried she had come back to life and was let go. Her husband a few years later bought her the pub on the hanging square, where she would come out and tell the prisoners that it was OK, she had been in their shoes once… LOL
There is also a really sweet story of a man who was inseparable from his dog and when the old man dies, the dog stays by the old mans grave for almost 13 yrs!! The dog has a grave stone too, near his masters!! The little dogs name was Bobby…

Bobby...

The Castle on the Hill...

The Next day, 10 October, I got up early and started my tour of Skye Island. It is in the highlands of Scotland and it is amazing.

We started at about 9 am and just started driving.

This is a basic outline of what we did on the Trip

Day 1: Departing Edinburgh, we headed North over the Forth Road Bridge, across the Kingdom of Fife towards the beautiful Highlands. Our first stop was at the village of Dunkeld - a Highland gateway village and once the ancient capital of Scotland. Here we saw the old Cathedral and beautiful river.

Dunkeld Cathedral

Heading into the heart of the highlands, we passed through the Grampian mountains, where we heard tales of Roman invasion, and a very rebellious Scotland. We went to an old English fort, Ruthven Barracks, that was used to keep an eye on the Scots, where our guide, Ruth, showed us how the original Kilts worked. And how to get a highland boy Neked in 20 seconds...LOL

Ruth dressing Nathan like a highland boy...

Driving via Inverness, we then headed down the shores of Loch Ness along the north of the Loch in search of a certain monster called Nessie,

took in the views of Urquart castle, a ruined stronghold on the shores of the Loch.

Then, headed through Glen Morriston, we were now on our way westward to Skye.
Over the Skye Bridge we arrive at the village of Kyleakin where we will be spent the next two nights in our cosy wee hostel, Skye Backpackers, with it's real fire and wonderful coastal views.

We dumped our stuff in our rooms and headed straight for the pub for dinner. I had a great time there and met some great people. Those are the people that I hung out with for the next 2 days. There was Mary and her friends from school, Ina, Xenia and Cara. Mary is from NY state and she and I hit it off right away. Then there was Sean, Heath and Nathan. We all had a great time together... We finally got to bed at about 2:30...

Back in the hostel after a great night at the pub...

Day 2: We had to be up and ready to go by 9 am!! And then our adventure got even better - a day exploring one of Scotlands most famous Islands. We went to Sligachan river first thing in the morning. Ruth told us that there was a local belief that if you stuck your face in the river that you would have eternal youth. So I thought what the heck. I am only here once... The water was absolutely freezing... but it was fun and beautiful...

Mary and I by the River.

Before heading to Skye's northern tip, we passed through the mighty Cullin mountains on to Portree the island's Capital, where we stop for supplies and also for a wee look at this village, with its quaint little fishing harbour.
The Trotternish peninsula was the focus for the rest of the day, stopping at amazing waterfalls

(just a beautiful waterfall, where I fell and ended up wet all the way down the back of my jeans, Neadless to say I had fun) ( Oh and the little sticking up thing of rock in the background is said to be a Giant's wee wee that was, well excited, and he was turned into stone for breaking curfew LOL)

We saw Kilt Rock and then scrambled up one of the island's amazing rock formations, It was so windy at the top, I thought that we were not going to make it down in one piece. We slid down on our butts with the boys at the bottom to save us... That is what I came to Scotland to do, It was great... Then it was time to bring it down for a little chill time and to payed our respects to the “little people” at the enchanting Faerie Glen. As the sun went down we headed back to the village of Kyleakin in time for a pint at the local pub. We went back to the same pub and just hung out. I turned in at about mid night after another great night.

Xenia, Me, Mary and Ina in the pub on our last night in Skye.

Day 3: Departing Skye at 9 am, we headed to the mainland, where our last full day of adventure began at one of Scotland's most picturesque castles - Eilean Donan, as featured in the movie Highlander.

It's was then a very scenic drive through the lands of Kintail, where every mountain has a story of romance, adventure or betrayal. Gliding through the colours and scenery of Glen Shiel and Glen Garry, we head down to the breathtaking Glen Coe, the scene of Scotland's most haunting Clan massacre. This glen is definitely one of Scotland's jewels. While hearing the tales of its dark past, we also got a chance to take a hike through it and become a part of the atmosphere.
Continuing south over desolate Rannoch Moor where we pass the castle used in the filming of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. We then headed out of the Highlands and down to Stirling, where we saw Hamish the Hariy Cooo and to pay homage to William Wallace - the hero of Scotland's struggle for independence - at the Wallace Monument. This was our final destination, before heading back to Edinburgh. Sadly Mary and the other girls got off here as this was where they went to school. We all said goodbye and promised to stay in contact. I got back on the Bus and we headed back to Edinburgh. That night I stayed at the Castle Rock Hostel and wet out to dinner with Heath and Sean. It was good fun.

The next day I picked up the Ireland tour with the same company. It started a 9am and Sean, from the Skye tour was going on it too.

Day 1 - Edinburgh to Portstewart
We net our guide, Mike and got going. We had to Catch the ferry to Ireland and did not want to miss it.
Leaving Edinburgh and heading through Scotland’s Largest city Glasgow, we traveled down the beautiful Ayrshire coast to the ferry at Troon. Whilst crossing the Irish Sea we sailed past the beautiful Isle of Arran, the famous Mull of Kintyre and the distinctive volcanic plug, Ailsa Craig before arriving at the port of Larne in Northern Ireland.
We heard about the dramatic history of this Island and learned about ‘The Troubles’ that have shaped the political landscape of Northern Ireland. Its then North to the stunning beaches and coastline of County Antrim. Hear Celtic mythology at the world famous Giants Causeway, it’s then the short journey to scenic Portstewart passing the impressive Dunluce Castle.

View from the top of Giants Causeway.

I met a really nice girl named Cheylha and she and I spend our time together.

After seeing Giants Causeway we went to a local beach where we watched the sunset while the local boys were surfing.

We stayed in Portstewart for the night and had a good time. We went into a local pub for dinner and even played a quiz bowl game and came 6th out of 20 teams. It was fun.
Day 2- Portstewart to Donegal
The next morning we got going at 9am and headed to Derry Visit the sites of ‘the Seige of Derry’ and the infamous ‘Bloody Sunday’. I had not know how much tension there was between the north and the south. Crossing the border into the Republic of Ireland was really weird. There are no sign or anything. All that changes is that the speed goes from Miles to KM and the road stipes change color. We then traveled through the Hills of Donegal towards the west coast. We stopped at Grianan Ailligh. An old stone burrial sight and fort. It was cool to see and the veiw from on top was beautiful.

This is Everyone who was on our tour.

We also went to an old well and what is said to be the highest cliffs in Europe. The views from both these places were breathtaking. And of course I had to slip and get wet and muddy again... LOL oh well. Who needs clean clothes anyway.

Our destination for the night was the lovely Donegal town. Here we made dinner for ourselves. I cooked Spaghetti and meat sauce for all 8 of us. After dinner we stayed up and talked and drank. It was a nice evening. I went to be at about 1.

Day 3- Donegal to Dublin
In the morning w got up and cooked egg and bacon for breakfast. We had a beautiful but long drive to Dublin the capital and Ireland’s biggest city for a chance to visit it’s many attractions including the Guinness factory, Kilmainham Jail, the many art galleries and museums, and of course the pubs of lively temple bar.

We wandered around the city all afternoon and then met at the Brazen Head pub for Dinner. The football (soccer) was on, it was Cypress vs. Ireland. It was a great atmosphere to be in. We turned in late that night after much fun in the pubs. Sean, Phillip and I at the Phitsimon pub.

View of the River Running through Dublin.

The next day we all slept in and and then the tour went on its way back to Edinburgh. Cheylha and I stayed in Dublin as I was going on to Dan's house!!

We went into a few museums and just had a fun day. At about 3 pm I went and got my bags and headed for the train. I caught a train to Sallins where Dan picked me p from the station!

It was so nice to see a face that I recognised...

We talked and he took me to a local play that night. His family is wonderful and have been so good to me.

Today we went to the Jail in Dublin and just hung out, it was really nice.

On Sunday I am off to Manchester again to see Duane and then off to see My aunt. My trip is nearly over but I know that I have become a better person. I will never forget this...

My trip of a lifetime.