Sitka

As some of you know I was back in Sitka working for a few days. Luckily, this time around I had time to tour a little. Here are a few photos from Sitka National Historical Park and the totem poles located within.

Things we learned about Ireland....

We had an awesome tour guide today who taught us a great deal about Ireland, so in today's issue of what we've learned about Ireland...

Each color of the flag of Ireland represents something different. The green represents the Catholics, the orange the Protestants, the white the peace between the two.

The Great Potato Famine lasted from 1845-1849, in that time period over a million people perished, another million were lost due to immigration.

Famine Houses (built during the famine) are distinguishable because there is no binding agent between the rocks.

During the famine, stone walls were built, the walls serve no purpose. They were ordered to do so during the occupation, these are called Penny walls.

We visited the town of Moneygall, apparently Barack Obama's grandfather is from here and this is big deal to the Irish.

St. Bridget's Well

St. Bridget's Well. If you stand on the stone and holding a coin in your left hand toss it over your right shoulder. If the coin lands in the water your wish will come true, if it hits anything else the opposite will happen.

Buren Photos

O'Brien's Tower

Cliffs of Moher (Cont.)

It's hard to see, but perched on the ledge are birds. The cliffs are a protected, there are frequented by Puffins.

Cliffs of Moher

Yes, those little stick looking things on top are in fact people.

Baa Baa's in Ireland

Famine Memorial

Bus Tour to the Cliffs of Moher

Along the way to the Cliffs of Moher, we made a few stops. Here are a few photos from the day.

The River Shannon

King John's Castle, Limerick

View of King John's Castle and the river Shannon

Dublin

We've learned a view things about Ireland. First of they have no idea what a booth is? Kel asked the waitress for a booth and the girl looked at her like she was smoking crack. Also do you know what rocket is? I didn't until today. Apparently it is a type of lettuce. Nobody is Dublin gets up early here! Even Starbucks was closed at 6am! I was up at 5am because I fell asleep at 5pm yesterday. We got misplaced (I'm not calling it losted because it's not our fault that they don't label the roads) on the the way to St. Patrick's Cathedral. The only person on the street was a streetsweep guy, who after giving us directions asked what we were doing up so early (this was at 9am)

Today we're took the bus tour of Dublin. We visited St. Patrick's Cathedral, Christ Church (which I got kicked out of not once but twice, apparently you can't be there during services), Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery, Trinity College to see the book of Kells. We're now back at the hotel, sleepy and ready for bed.

Tomorrow we're taking a coach tour from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway Bay. It's a all day long tour. We depart at 7am and get back between 7 and 8pm. We're looking forward to getting out of the city and seeing more nature (at least I am).

Here are a few pictures.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Bank of Ireland

Jameson Distillery

The photo above shows how much of the liquid evaporates and changes color with age. For every year the whiskey is aged, two percent will be lost due to evaporation, this is called the "angel's share".

Guinness Brewery

Christ Church

The oldest Church in Dublin, founded in 1030.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Apt.Cont.

Hallway

Laundry (scrapbook room)

Living Room

Living Room