Filling the gap from Ireland to Prague!!!

I spent one night on the Aran Island of Inismor off the west coast of Galway in Ireland, it was magical, so remote it felt like I had stepped back in time. The ferry took less than an hour but standing at the back of the boat watching the waves it made and how incredibly rough and hostile the dark black water looked, I had great respect for those that sail solo, any length of time, they must be so courageous! I arrived on the ferry in the middle of the day and was greeted by a multitude of mini buses offering quick tours of the Island for those staying only a few hours, or for those with more time, there horse and carriage tours as well. But as I was staying the night there I decided to pass on the guided tours and explore the Island myself, being only 6km long and a couple wide, I thought I'd manage fine. I walked about 2k's up the hill out of the only reasonable sized town to my hostel which had beautiful views over the ocean. I was lucky to have a 6 bed dorm all to myself, I felt very spoilt! After settling in I walked back down the hill into town to hire a bike for the duration of my stay. With a bike and a map from the tourist office I began to explore the ancient Island. All the old farmhouses are gorgeous and the fences are tiny stone walls that look like they've been there for centuries. There are old castles and forts and ruins of old churches and cemeteries filled with stone celtic crosses, the views around every corner were beautiful! Although the water looked black during the ferry crossing, from the Island it looked tropical blue, it was incredible. There weren't many cars on the island, most of the traffic were either horses or bikes, it felt so remote, so far from anywhere it was lovely. I wanted to stay a second night but the hostel was full so I left the next day on the midday ferry, which meant I didn't arrive in Killarney till about 9pm. It was late and I wandered with my pack for over an hour searching for accommodation, only to discover that it was a bank holiday weekend and all the hostels were full. I then decided that I wouldn't mind paying extra to stay in a bed and breakfast, but even they were full, I knocked on so many doors! Anyway, when it started to get dark I realised there was a National Park on the other side of the road, so just went in and found a little hidden spot next to a tree to sleep. It was freezing cold, I didn't sleep much but at least I wasn't wandering around a strange town in the dark. The next morning I headed to the Tourist Information Centre and asked them to book accommodation, there was a lovely girl there called Clare, she rang several hostels and found beds for the two following nights but no hostels had a bed for that night so I stayed at a gorgeous B&B where I had a double bed to myself and an ensuite and tv which was luxury compared to the other places I stayed. I spent most of the day in the bed catching up on the sleep I lost the night before! That night I went to the theatre and watched Riverdance, it was fantastic, I used to love watchin the dvd when I was younger so it was amazing to watch it live after so many years! The next day did a horseriding tour of the National Park, taking in beautiful views of the rolling green hills, mountains, lakes and forests. I had a stroll through the shops, had a delicious Irish Pub meal and stayed in a very vibrant hostel for the night. The next day I unfortunately succumbed to a guided bus tour which thought I would avoid like the plague before I left, but it was the only way I would get to see the famous Ring of Kerry which is a road around the peninsular in county Kerry. I felt like such an idiot being one of those stupid tourists piling off the bus for 5 minutes to take photos then piling back on again! Then of course the lunch stop was at a small pub in the middle of nowhere with no other choices so I one of a whole big busload of tourists lining up for lunch only to have to get back on the bus about 5 minutes after reaching the front of the line! anyway the scenery was great so I guess it was worth it but I'd love to go back one day and hire a car to take it at my own pace. The next part of the trip update will have to be later because I need to eat dinner now! love to all, from Clare xox