I saw so many beautiful things this weekend that I had to make two posts! I've one for Saturday and one for Sunday. Saturday we managed to get the bus to Killarney with no problems. We arrived at the Muckross Park Hotel around noon and thus the dazzlement began. The hotel, outside of the small town of Killarney, sits right across the street from Muckross Park --a huge expanse of fields, lakes, forests, and even a mountain or two. The hotel itself, although seemingly small from the outside, actually contains Molly Darcy's Pub, the Blue Pool Restaurant, a spa, and a fitness center. Mika and I delighted in our fancy bed, heated towel rack, and overall poshness of the place.
Shortly thereafter we went down to lunch at Molly Darcy's Pub, paid for by API (which is to say pre-paid by us). I ate a delicious steak, Laurie had a juicy burger, Sarah the fish n' chips, and Mika the sizzling vegetables. We sat with Edward, who also had a steak, while watching the Ireland vs. Scotland rugby match. Rugby is so much more awesome than football. The fact that I'm interested in it at all is saying something.
After lunch we headed across the street towards the park. Immediately taken in by the sight of a horse drawn carriage, we were soon acquainted with a horse named Rosie and embarking on a windy, cold, bumpy and thoroughly enjoyable ride. Pasture land flanks the entrance of the park, containing two big black bulls. I tried to make a video, but really took bad footage of a bush. You can, however, hear some of our driver's interesting commentary.
Riding on we passed a 15th century abbey, complete with creepy old cemetary. We only paused for a moment before setting off into the forest. The moss covering the gnarly trees and turning everything green, our driver says, is a sign of a healthy ecosystem. As the forest thinned out some, we got a wonderful view of the huge lake and distant fog-topped mountains. Eventually, the road straightens out to reveal the impressive Muckross House. The original owner did his best to keep the mansion, beautifully surrounded by the lakes, mountains, and forest. However, even after a visit from the Queen, he failed to obtain the title of Lord which would have made him exempt from the window taxes. Yes, this poor guy lost this amazing home because of window taxes.
As lovely as the house was, I was more interested in the grounds. We only had 20 minutes, which I devoted to running around the maze-like paths of the garden. I never even made it to the more cultivated section of the grounds, as I was too busy being delighted by the twists and turns of the little stone pathways.
While the weather was clear all day, there was a great deal of wind. I'm even willing to post this horrible picture of me just to give you an idea.
Our next stop took us to the base of those ever so amazing mountains. We were given 15 minutes to walk to the Torc Waterfall, so not enough time. We first walked through this stone arch...
...to be greeted by the most moss-covered trees I have ever seen. Everything was absolutely green with thick, fern like moss, including the trees, rocks, and ground adjacent to the river.
Mika took a photo of us staring in wonderment.
Then of course there was the 100 ft. falls.
We were all soon snapping photos of ourselves with the impressive falls.
We couldn't help making fun of our own picture-happy ways.
Mika made an amazing photo of the moss and clover.
We did eventually have to drag ourselves away and so end our journey through the park. A fellow cart-driver kindly took a picture of us all.
We,however, were left with time to kill. So after a cup of tea, we headed back out.
We walked as far as the Abbey. I'm sure Laurie has better pictures of the Abbey than me and I'm just positive that she will actually post this time, that I'll withhold my images. But I will post one of the interior of the abbey. Now, technically, we weren't supposed to be in there as the old, ruinous abbey was under reconstruction. But after Mika and the Laurie entered and reemerged with tales of an awesome tree in a courtyard inside, I had to go see. Here is a picture Mika took, which I think best represents the strangely twisted trunk of the tree.
Sarah upheld justice by not going in and also made a handy lookout for the rest of us vigilantes. These pics of the abbey are also by courtesy of Mika.
Probably my favorite part of our second outing, however, was the lake. We found a small path leading to the lakeside, a secluded spot giving us a perfect vantage point.
We pocketed a few smooth stones and sticks, which Sarah reprimanded us for. That said, I now have an awesome window piece. I put all my finds in a tall glass that I also found on one of my walks home from school.
Back at the hotel, I brushed the huge wind-tied knot that was my hair and went down to dinner. Oh, dinner was so awesome! We all were made to choose from the set-price menu, the set price being $45. So, we all chose a starter, a main-course, and a desert. I had tiger prawns for starters, along with Sarah's unwanted goat cheese salad. Rack of lamb with au gratin potatoes for a main course. And apple with raspberry tart for desert. Everything was delicious.
Equally delicious was a hot bath and a shower. The showerhead was of the super large variety, so a simulated rain effect. Neat! Mika and I stayed up watching some movies before finally falling asleep.
