Amuse-Bouche, live from the Muse, April 21-May 7, Port Everglades to Dublin

[spinnaker2]

 

 

 

This was Galway.

 

 

 

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More of our sail in to Galway

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

 

More of our sail in to Galway

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We were very late getting in due to having to tender and the large swells.

Nevertheless we arrived on LAND and to an effervescent guide.

She was quite amusing, even pretending that her phone calls were from the captain.

 

I have posted the photos from the cliffs of moher and some from the burren and the caves previously.

 

 

 

 

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[Lois R]

Spins, great photos:D

[spinnaker2]

 

To get to the Burren and the cliffs, we had to take some very circuitous roads. No matter it was so beautiful.

The Burren is in the region of County Clare, and is a tarst ( not tarts) landscape, of glacial era limestone. The land isn't good for much besides grazing, but the environment is temperate and many flowers grow there.

 

 

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

I know I mentioned we were really off schedule. When we got to the cliffs of moher, our guide was very clear about the time we were to return to our transport. The restaurant we were to go for lunch was already staying later to serve us.

 

Unfortunately two pax who were on our bus decided they didn't care about the time constraints or anybody else for that matter.

The appointed time for reconnoiter came and went and two pax on our bus were missing. Initially it was just chalked up to tardy...then as the moments went by, our guide became alarmed. It was foggy, very very foggy. Could they be lost or hurt?

Our guide was on her phone and running all around the site.

Approximately thirty minutes later the two errant pax returned to the bus, with nary a care. In fact once they got on the bus I heard one of them actually say the words, I don't care. We had all been waiting, and our guide was very upset.

This was beyond inconsiderate.

 

 

 

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[mysty]

Beautiful Spins! Thanks for taking us along!

 

And shame on the inconsiderate boors!

[Mudhen]

Fabulous photos! Shame on the late comers.......

[cruisewmn]

Fantastic photos. Thanks for posting!

[spinnaker2]

And now a commercial.

Really.

I have sponsored it.

On behalf of the crew.

They are amazing.

Truly wonderful.

They make it all work so seamlessly onboard.

[spinnaker2]

And I should mention Jimmy and his shadow Luke.

They work hard.

Bingo to the masses.

Trivia on a scale of the gladiators in the Roman Colosseum.

The lions were drooling...

[spinnaker2]

And speaking of drooling.

The chocolate truffles every night in the Arts cafe are just beyond decadent.

So I get a to go cup of truffles in case I need chocolate during the night.

YES I do.

Of course.

And they are good for breakfast.

[Stumblefoot]

And I should mention Jimmy and his shadow Luke.

They are both winners. Will be interested to see the opportunities presented to these Cruise Director Assistants as the new ships come online.

And speaking of drooling.

The chocolate truffles every night in the Arts cafe are just beyond decadent.

Such a gem the Arts Cafe is.

 

 

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[Lois R]

Hi Spins, some folks are just A$$holes.........:mad::(..........unreal. So the bus waited 30 minutes for them?:eek:

[spinnaker2]

 

St John the Baptist Church, lisdonnvarne Road, Ballyvaughn

 

 

 

These charming homes are right next to the road. Fortunately our bus gave then a wide berth

 

 

Shanmuckinish West Tower House circa 1584, looking out over Pouldoody Bay

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

When we had all accounted for, off we went for another drive through the windy roads to Monk's Ballyvaughn, at the Pier. We were late as I mentioned, but the pub had graciously accommodated us.

There was a choice for lunch, which I don't remember, but I had the fish and chips, which I do remember. The fish was so fresh! To start we were given tomato basil soup, one of the best I have ever had. For dessert, which I could not eat as I was stuffed from the generous and delicious soup and main course, was fresh berry crumble with whipped cream. DH had it and said it was wonderful.

 

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

The drive back to the Muse was uneventful, although our driver and guide were quite worried because it was the beginning of a bank holiday weekend and traffic could be problematic. Fortunately we did not encounter heavy traffic. But we were very late.

Our guide was in contact with the ship, and she announced to all of us that she and the Captain had worked it all out, he would wait for us. Of course, she wasn't really speaking with the Captain, and my guess is he was unhappy that we had been so delayed.

We were the last tender and once were safely aboard, we sailed off.

 

 

Next stop, Killybegs.

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

 

 

Sail in to Killybegs.

Of course it's gloomy and the fog is rolling in from the ocean.

 

The countryside as we come into the port is arcadian.

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

 

Fog rolling in, a dark looming presence as if someone put a spell on the countryside.

 

 

And then the Captain used the side thrusters and the Muse created huge whirlpools in the dark water, making our presence slightly menacing.

 

 

The majority of the fishing boats are out at sea. Many of them huge self contained processing plants as well, they put out to sea for many months at a time.

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

 

And then we are off to explore along the Wild Atlantic Way. Off to the Northern Headlands and Donegal Town.

 

 

 

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

 

The ruins of the Donegal Friary which was founded in 1474 by Red Hugh O'Donnell, located where the River Eske joins Donegal Bay.

 

 

 

Not much is left of the Abbey.

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

 

Spring is making her presence known even if we are wearing parkas, hats and mittens.Brrrrr.

 

 

Donegal Town. Lots of shops. Many went into the shops and purchased tweed and cashmere goods.

 

 

A walk past the French anchor, which we are told has connections with Napoleon and his failed invasion to assist the Irish in the 1798 rebellion.

 

 

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

 

 

 

 

Donegal castle.

It was built by the O'Donnell family in the fifteenth century. The castle was restored in the early 1990s.

 

The keep is from the fifteenth century with a Jacobean style wing was added later. The castle was allegedly built on the site of a Viking fortress, along the banks of the river Eske.

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

 

 

The place was foreboding and the light made it seem haunted. And I have never seen so many cobwebs, like lace adorning every corner. The spinners of same were absent, where were the spiders who had worked so hard to add to the ghostly atmosphere?

 

 

 

 

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[spinnaker2]

 

This ivy leaved toadflax found its home in a wall of the castle.

 

 

 

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