Kinsale

This morning, before joining Paul's family for his niece's birthday party, we went to Kinsale. This fishing town  near Cork city is a popular tourist destination especially in the yachting season. The town is quaint and very cute with the traditional colorful facades of various commercial and residential houses.
{{ I will be posting many more photos (especially those of the town) later, when I can upload them through Paul's laptop}}

Inside Charles' Fort

Sandy Cove

Kinsale Marina

James' Fort

It is cold! Charles' Fort behind me, hiking up to James' Fort

Dock Beach - very popular in the summer

Enjoying my morning Barry's tea

Paul with Annelise & Freya
 

The Kinsale harbor was protected by two forts  - Charles' and James', built in the 17th century. Charles' Fort is much larger and well maintained (tourist attraction charging admission), while the James' Fort is smaller and appears abandoned. While it is closed to the public, you can hike up to it and walk around its ramparts. We strolled along the Dock Beach, walked along the footpath across a small field, and then climbed a few feet up a steep hill to arrive to the ruins of the James' Fort. I was not expecting to see it, as Paul didn't mention there were 2 forts in Kinsale. It was a great surprise!!! A stunning little secret!
These forts were built to protect Kinsale from the French and Spanish invasions. An underwater chain used to be strung between the two forts across the harbor mouth during times of war to destroy the enemy armadas by ripping the bottom out of the incoming vessels.
We then drove to Sandy Cove where we saw a triathlete in his wetsuit and goggles walking down the freezing beach into the even more freezing water to train. It was a painfully amazing sight. It was at most 10C/50F out + wind chill.
The harbor smelled lovely of seawater and seaweed. We walked around the town, chatted with a tourist couple from Long Island while ordering cappuccinos, and then headed home to meet the family. The birthday party was a nice family gathering with sand castles, swings, and cake. Uncle Paul is very popular with his nieces! A million instagrammed photos later, [ compliments of Uncle Paul ], we arrived home for a lovely rogan josh with lamb masterfully prepared by Mama Kay. Life is good.

Tomorrow - The Ring of Kerry. Stay tuned.

NYC --> London (Epsom) --> Cork

Day 1. Leaving medical school and the western hemisphere behind, I flew over the Atlantic to arrive to THIS in Heathrow: (Paul was taking the photo, and Jacob was camera-shy)

Such a wonderfully warm welcome! Thank you Allison, Jacob,and Paul!!!

Later on we were joined by Steve and Kas for breakfast in the good ole Epsom. Our flight to Cork was later that day. We arrived to Cork around midnight, very warmly welcomed by Kay and Brendan. After a champagne toast for my last week of medical school, Kay's retirement, and meeting up, it was time for bed. Kinsale and Sadhbh's birthday party on the docket for Day 2.

Corkonian Accents

In preparation for my trip, I decided to brush up on my accents. Corkonians - the residents of Cork, or Corcaigh (pronounced Corkig), are notoriously difficult to understand for even the native English speaking foreigners. Over time I have gotten used to the way Paul speaks. After living in England for 17 years, however, his Corcaigh accent is rather subdued. [he fervently disagrees]

My methods are simple. I am going to laugh really hard watching and re-watching these brilliant cartoons by Sminky Shorts. I like the "I can't do it" the best, but the "Awful Sad" and "Fat Rabbit" are pretty hilarious. Enjoy!

3 days in Ireland

Before jetting off to France we are going to Cork, Ireland to visit Paul's family. I have done a 5-day road trip Dublin --> Cork --> Killarney --> Dingle --> Ring of Kerry --> Cliffs of Moher --> Limerick --> Dublin with friends last year. It was exhausting, as we drove about 8 hours each day. I would recommend either going for a longer period of time or flying into Shannon or Cork. Cliffs of Moher are breathtaking, so I would say it is absolutely worth the trip, but do plan well! If you want to see the prettiest sights - see the western part of the country. Fly into Shannon or Cork, and drive around the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry and up to the Cliffs.

So during my stay this time, I will be enjoying the company of Paul's family and friends as well as seeing some of the sights with the local! On the itinerary:

Kinsale (where the Spanish Armada sank in 1588, famous for its wonderful seafood and a yacht club)
Killarney (Muckross house and the Torc waterfall)
Sneem (and the trail with the fairy houses near the Parknasilla Hotel and grounds!!!)
Waterville (where Charlie Chaplin used to holiday)
Blarney Castle - to gain the gift of eloquence :)
Mum's Lasagna (I hope!) and Sadhbh's (pronounced "sigh-v") 2nd Birthday Party :)

I am really really excited! Updates with pictures to follow!

Toulouse to Nice... the beginning

When the decision was made to relocate from London to Rome, we came up with a fun way to do so. Since we are traveling light (2x20kg bags + a backpack), we have decided to see the south of France on the way. It was a long-standing dream of mine, and it was easy to convince my significant other, Paul, it was a brilliant idea. Since the budget is tight, we decided to do an 9-day trip flying from London to Toulouse, driving, and then flying from Nice to Rome.
Sounds intense? I am sure it will be, and we will let you know how it goes!

More details to follow, but this is the itinerary thus far:

Day 1 Flying in London --> Toulouse
Toulouse --> Carcassonne --> Sete
Day 2
Sete --> Montpellier --> Nimes --> Avignon
Day 3
Avignon --> Luberon villages Gordes, Lourmarin --> St Remy de Provence
Day 4
Avignon --> Chateauneuf du Pape --> Orange
Day 5
Avignon --> Aix --> Agay
Day 6
Agay --> Cannes --> Nice
Day 7
Nice --> Monaco
Day 8
Nice
Day 9 - Flying to Rome