2006 Europe Trip
Ireland: The Ring of Kerry
On Wednesday, Barb & Colleen visited Cork, which left the White/Laswell crew to tour the Ring of Kerry. Dad was teaching, so the remaining four of us took the tour with Matt driving.
The Ring of Kerry extends basically from Kilarney out to the west, on another peninsula -- this one wider but shorter than Dingle.
This drive is beautiful, just like Dingle -- though the roads weren't great, it was worth the trip.
We started the day at the Torc Waterfall in the Killarney National Park. Though it hadn't rained in a couple of days, the waterfall was flowing well. And, these pictures aren't exaggerating -- the landscape really is this lush green!
Matt at the waterfall
After Torc, we continued around the Ring (going to the south side of the peninsula first), up towards Ladies View. The road up to Ladies View was quite rough.
The road gets a bit better after Ladies View, thankfully! We stopped for a much-needed break in Sneem. Oh, apparently whenever someone says Sneem, they say it twice. So, we visited Sneem (Sneem). That became a little joke for us... Anyhow, here's mom in Sneem (Sneem).
The road after Sneem took us closer to the shore -- including this great beach with incredibly fine sand.
Ok, all the way to Ireland to see an A&M sweatshirt?!?
We stopped to look over the bays, marveling at how green everything is.
This island just off-shore is called the Bull. There's another nearby called the Cow - and a small one called the Calf.
Hillside homes
We stopped along the road to take more pictures
Here's Becky waiting patiently as Matt takes more pictures!
This lookout area gave good views to both sides of the peninsula.
Mom, Matt and Steve at the lookout area.
We ate lunch in Waterville. This cross sits on the beach alongside the city.
A map of the area.
Pretty little yellow flowers.
That night, we took in some local music at a pub in Tralee (Sean Og's pub) -- and Becky even managed to order at the pub: two cokes & two diet cokes - I wasn't up to trying Guinness or anything. :)
Bacon & Chips
We hung out around the house that night, before everyone would go separate ways in the morning.
Becky at the lodge - Matt thinks this picture is pretty.
Becky and Steve.
The family (other than Matt, who's taking the picture)
