Saturday 15 August 2015

                                                   
  Killarney (Part 1)




It's just the piece of heaven. There are so much thing to see and to do. The most visited place it would be the Killarney National Park.  You can spend many days: walking, cycling, kayaking and etc... We stayed in Fossa caravan&campsite. It's just 4 km from the Killarney. I booked a mobile house. I decided that this summer is not going to be the hottest one. While in Germany +40° we were lucky to have around +16 without the rain. Cause there were eight of us. But we could stay just 6 in the mobile house and the rest of us had to stay in a tent. Why I choose this campsite? Have no idea. I was reading review about campsites. And I have to tell you I picked the right one! The tent pitch I chosen not far away from the mobile house. The view from the campsite is superb! Mountains till the sky! There is a playground and tennis pitch on the site. Showers, toilets, kitchen, laundry room, drying room and etc. Yes drying room! It's a very small room but very warm. So if you need to dry a towel or so no bothers. Well there is a drying machine in the laundry room. But why pay if you can dry you stuff for free :) You have to buy a tokens for shower and the rest.

Picture by Ernesta B.
Picture by Ernesta B.
We rented one more  car in Cork to make holidays better. And there were no chance to put that much stuff in to the one car. As our car is very small. I mean really small. Before you'll decide to rent a car be very careful and always read policy or email and documents you'll need! Believe me when you are standing in the rent a car office and the guests are just about to show up in the Cork and the man is keep telling you that we don't have such a paper or else you don't wanna to get that stress. But we did! It was a Friday noon. What else can get worst? In other countries we rented a car and no worries. But here in Ireland we've got some problems. The first thing I asked was "Is this because we are not Irish"? Cause ones we couldn't rent a movie just because my husbands driving licence wasn't Irish. Can you imagine me there standing in an office. I felt like somebody slapped me in to my face! But luckily we sorted everything and upgraded to way bigger car than we planned. The time was pushing us as our guests were already in a Cork. Killarney is about 140 km from the Cork. Roads are very good and very wide( to compare with the Ring of Kerry and other national roads) The road signs showing 100 km/h so you'll reach your destination fast. In some of the village were horrible traffic but it was just for 15min or so. Other that was happy flying hour :) And it was a challenge  for my driving skills! If you would ever go to Killarney you would understand what I was talking about!

Wednesday 12 August 2015

                                 
 Mizen Head

Picture by Ernesta B.

Third place to visit it would be a Mizen Head It's the most southwesterly point. The view is just amazing. If I wouldn't think about that I'm scared of the height  and dizziness and a feeling that I'm going to through up I'd say it's just awesome!  It's located in the Goleen in West Cork. Well we didn't visit Goleen it self but if you would, let me know how it was :)
The ticket is €6 adult or you can get a family ticket (2 adult 3 children) €18. Prepare to spent few hours in there. Loads of walking. There is a small museum on the very end of the walk. It's an old light house.Inside is very nice kept as it was when the light keeper was living at that time. Impressive!The old compass, the old phone and the etc...
Facilities on the site: toilets (most important :) ) coffee shop, souvenir shop, tables out side, small playground for kids. Enjoyable day out.

Picture by Ernesta B.
Pictures by Ernesta B.
Picture by Ernesta B.
Summary:
Would I go there again? Even if I do scare of the height? Definitely Yes!
Would I recommend this place: Yes!It's one of the place you must see.

Thursday 23 July 2015


Picture by Ernesta B.

 Baltimore is the second place to visit if you stay in West Cork. Baltimore is about 13km from the Skibbereen.
It's a very small village near the ocean. There is one shop (well couldn't find any more) and some cafe and restaurants. To pass the main street is just like a challenge. Parked all over and every where. After driving some circles we found place on the top of the hill with 3min walking down the village.
 The view is really nice. Harbour is close to main street. The attractions you can get is: visit the "Pirate castle". The second attraction is to have one of the tours by the boat. One of them is visit the Fastnest Rock (famous lighthouse) . The third attraction is walking to the beakon.
The first we went to the beacon. It's about 10-15 min from the main street. Walking up is easy if you follow the pathway up. But it will take about 15-20min. And there is another way the one we took. It's bit steep.But it's shorter. The view is fantastic. So relaxing and feeling that standing on the edge of the world. Mind your steps. Because it's not protected and no any fence. So for people like me, who are scared of the high could cause the dizziness. So keep your small children under control or hold hands just in case. Because they are children the first they do then think. So safety first in such a place.

Picture by Ernesta B.


 The second place where you can go is Dun na Sead Castle ( Pirate castle as I called) It's based in the middle in village. Impossible not to see. Tickets from €4-€6, can't remember.Really nice inside. Furniture and other things brings you back centuries ago. Exhibits are unique and loads of information about the times when  Baltimore was ruled by the pirate and other related history.We met the owners they are private individuals. And they are very friendly and lovely people. They said that it took 8 years to reconstruct the castle. They do live in the same castle by the way. So when you will see a rack full of wine down stairs, don't think that you'll get some :)
Picture by Ernesta B.
The third thing what we did was the boating. I booked the places with the private boat for the tour. The tour includes: Going to the Fastnest rock (it's about 3 km from the shore) on the way back visit the Cape clear Island having some free time in the island and going back to the Baltimore. When we started to sail away was so OK. We left the harbour. The more far away we were going the more I was kinda sorry that I took this tour. The waves were just banging to the motor boat/very small ship sides. I thought that the waves will sink this little boat. It was bit cold to stay out side so I took my little rascal inside. I had a chat with the captain. He told me that he works with the ferry. He goes from the Baltimore to the Cape clear island. So then I felt better that he is kinda real captain. On the way back we visited the Cape clear island. Beautiful pier. The water so bright blue. Captain told that the population in this island is around 100 people. Local kids small and big were swimming in the ice cold water. Some of them with the thermal suits others just swimming gear.  There is a cafe on a pier. We bought  a very delicious apple pie and cappuccino. As we haven't much time.

Picture by Ernesta B.
Summary:
Would I go back to Baltimore? Probably. There is a very small village as I mentioned before. So you can enjoy just the activities provided by local people. There are more activities you can get but if you are traveling with small children it's bit different. Boat trip cost €25 each. Others wouldn't take us on board cause our little fella was too small.

Would I go by the small ship to the Fastnest rock? Definitely
 What was the best place to eat? I don't know. We went to the one of the place. We were sitting more than 30 min. And they were so busy nobody even took our order. So we left.

Was I happy after all? Yes

Picture by Ernesta B.



Tuesday 21 July 2015

West Cork. Skibbereen.
Who doesn't like to travel? I do!  Choosing the right place, planning the activities and the amount you are going to spend. Picking the right clothes and equipment. What's important goes to luggage what is not still hanging on the doubt. How I should know which place is the best and what to take with me on board. My name is Ernesta. I'm a traveler. Well camper is the best word to describe my traveler's status. Usually I'm traveling with my two little rascals  and my soul mate.
Ernesta.B
Picture by Ernesta.B
If I would have time and money I would be traveling a lot. But reality is different. Usually we go camping for summer holidays. And we travel around the Ireland. We just love West Cork!As Irish people called West Cork: " Irish Spain". Weather is warmer than other parts of Ireland.
I never expect me to say that but Ireland is just amazing island of beauty. Every part of Ireland is different. 
So I'm going to plan my journey, visit and then give the full review . I'm writing my review in the most popular travel guide tripadvisor.ie I started to use this site back to 2008 when I was planing my trip to Germany from the Ireland. At that time there were no smart phones being used. There were no GPS on the phone. So it was a challenge. Now a days it's way more easier because of the devices with GPS, locations, map and socials web pages where information just fly in a second and being spread so so quickly.   
Well everything is packed and we are on the road. We are heading to the Skibbereen County Cork.

Picture by Ernesta.B
It's 83km from Cork. About 1h 20 min. The best place for the dinner was the "Riverside Cafe". Food was very nice. And the seating place is lovely. It's on the rivers side. There is a small fountain inside the back yard. There were some live music while we were having our dinner. For the breakfast I would suggest a Church Restaurant. This place is based in an old church. The inside is stunning!
Picture by Ernesta B.
Picture by Ernesta B.

Not impressive place to have a dinner is the "Paragon bar& Bistro" The food was really nice but very doubtful is it family friendly. The place is so not clean. The toilet was just OMG!


 We will be staying in the caravan& campsite " Hideaway  ". Location is superb! With a very short distance to the  town. Park is very clean and family friendly. This is what I was looking for. There is a playground inside the park, Pool room, kitchen, showers and etc. I booked the pitch for the tent by the email. Was easy and very pleasant. And it's not that expensive if you'd compare what would you pay for the hotel or B&B so you save some money.
We left the car and decided to walk to the town. There is a footpath to reach the town and the street lights as well. So if you would be coming to the park late in the evening or at night no worries. Close to the supermarket "Lidl" and the town is in 2min.
Picture by Ernesta B.
 So we  took a walk to the Skibbereen Heritage Center .  Easy to find, nice view.  We were only one customers at the time cause it was end of the working day. It was so nice to find more about Ireland history. The exhibition wasn't very huge but was impressive. Staff were welcome and friendly.
Pictures by Ernesta B

They suggested to visit Lough Hyne.
Pictures by Ernesta B.
Pictures by Ernesta B.
If you like long walking/climbing so you have to visit! 
We didn't know that we will be walking up around 7km! We took our boy with the buggy. It was a mistake! I suggest you to buy or take a carrying backpack for the hiking. It's a brilliant thing! It will make your climbing/ long walks much more easier. But if you planing to visit this place buy this bag before you visit Skibbereen. Cause we wanted to buy went to all the shops in Skibbereen and couldn't find.The way up is not too difficult. But when you are on a half way you can't wait to go up faster. But it's worth it after all. The view is amazing on the top!

Picture by Ernesta B.














When we reached the ground we decided to swim in a lake. It was my second mistake! The water is so so cold! Of course we forgot that this lake is sea water  ( nobody can find and understand why this lake is freshwater and sea water) . Who was swimming in any sea in Ireland knows that thermal  swimwear need to be worn.

Anyway the summery is:

Would I go back to the Hideaway caravan park? YES

Would I climb to Lough Hyne? YES

Would I go back to the cafe I recommended? YES