While there is still plenty of time, I'm thinking our airline reservations will be firmed up this weekend. We needed to purchase some extra miles so we could extend our trip over one more weekend. This will be my longest stay in Ireland and I can't be more pleased.
I ordered some electrical adapters - I never did find the ones I had from before - and received them this week. I ordered through Rick Steves site. It was the best price and now that I have them I understand why. If you are doing this check to make sure the adapters have the ability to connect with US 3 pronged electrics. Fortunately, all the electrics I'm taking have only 2 US prongs. If I was taking a larger computer with me (I have a netbook that I travel with) I would need the 3 pronged adapter. These were quite cheap - $2 each, but the shipping was $6. In the long run, it was still a deal.
Also, still waiting for some lightweight luggage I ordered and a better small carry-on for the plane. It's not pretty, but it will do the job. Over the last couple of trips I have never taken more than a 26 inch suitcase. We'll stop to do laundry, so I should be fine. I don't like to have to drag heavy suitcases up flights of stairs in B&Bs, so I try to stay on the light side with luggage.
It's time for some spring cleaning in the house and I'll be going through closets and looking at clothes I want to take with me. I shouldn't need to purchase much except for basics like socks, but a nice new lightweight sweater that can be layered would be nice. It's always a little cooler along the Irish coasts like Galway Bay, and the Antrim Coast. Malin Head will probably be cooler and very windy from what I hear. I don't think I've ever been really cold in Ireland.
For some reason I've never made it to Belfast. That will be remedied this trip. A Hop-on-Hop-off tour and maybe a Black Cab ride for starters. And I definitely want to get to the famous Crown Liquor Saloon. Some places just can't be passed up.
Hopefully firmed up reservations will be done in the next two weeks. Now that we have extended the trip, we may have to change a few things around. Just have to be patient and wait for confirmed plane reservations. :)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
It's the little details
Even though we have not made any reservations yet, except for the airline flights, there are still way too many details that cannot wait until the last minute. I try to think of what some of these are as I go along, but I'm not the most organized person. I have at least a couple of power adapters for our electrical appliances, but have no idea where they are. I'd like to try and avoid purchasing something I already own, so I need to start searching my drawers and locate them.
Another thing I always worry about is luggage weight. Since we are going for 3+ weeks, there is no way that we can take everything and never do any laundry. More on the laundry plan later. But with having to porter our own luggage up flights of stairs, I like to keep my luggage to one suitcase and just under the 50 pound airline limit. The suitcase I've always used is 14 pounds empty and this really causes problems when I'm trying to load it with clothes, and a few souvenirs when we head back. I spent a lot of online time today looking for luggage that was under 11 pounds. That seems to be the breaking point and even 3 pounds will make a difference. My other choice is to use a rolling duffel. A duffel can run around 7 pounds so that would be a nice weight to deal with. Still thinking about that one.
The last time I went to Ireland we did laundry twice. Would have liked to do it a third time, but we stretched things to last. In order to do laundry we need to be staying in a location for 2 days. Arrive one day, drop off the laundry the next morning, go sightseeing, and pick up the laundry before 5:00PM the second day. We have already planned where we will be and use at least one of the same laundries from my last trip. And in doing some research, one of the B&Bs we are planning to stay at provides laundry service. Yeah for that!
So my job for the next couple of weeks is to find my power adapters and some acceptable luggage. I also have to replace my travel "purse" for everyday. My old one had the zipper break on the last trip and I had to replace it after the first week. Definitely got my money's worth out of that one. Eagle Rock makes some wonderful travel accessories and I'll be checking that out.
Everything else will have to wait until about mid March when seriously get planning.
Another thing I always worry about is luggage weight. Since we are going for 3+ weeks, there is no way that we can take everything and never do any laundry. More on the laundry plan later. But with having to porter our own luggage up flights of stairs, I like to keep my luggage to one suitcase and just under the 50 pound airline limit. The suitcase I've always used is 14 pounds empty and this really causes problems when I'm trying to load it with clothes, and a few souvenirs when we head back. I spent a lot of online time today looking for luggage that was under 11 pounds. That seems to be the breaking point and even 3 pounds will make a difference. My other choice is to use a rolling duffel. A duffel can run around 7 pounds so that would be a nice weight to deal with. Still thinking about that one.
The last time I went to Ireland we did laundry twice. Would have liked to do it a third time, but we stretched things to last. In order to do laundry we need to be staying in a location for 2 days. Arrive one day, drop off the laundry the next morning, go sightseeing, and pick up the laundry before 5:00PM the second day. We have already planned where we will be and use at least one of the same laundries from my last trip. And in doing some research, one of the B&Bs we are planning to stay at provides laundry service. Yeah for that!
So my job for the next couple of weeks is to find my power adapters and some acceptable luggage. I also have to replace my travel "purse" for everyday. My old one had the zipper break on the last trip and I had to replace it after the first week. Definitely got my money's worth out of that one. Eagle Rock makes some wonderful travel accessories and I'll be checking that out.
Everything else will have to wait until about mid March when seriously get planning.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Looking forward
I was just looking at the countdown at the bottom of this page and realized that by St. Patrick's Day our trip will be less than 100 days away. Once that gets to double digit counting I'll be very happy.
This has been a very trying year, and this trip is just what's needed to relax and have a lot of fun. Other than plane flights we haven't yet made any other reservations. We have contacted some friends outside of Galway who have a B&B to let them know we are heading their way and another B&B that does cooking lessons (can't wait for that) to inquire about what they provide. This trip will definitely have a different focus in addition to the required sightseeing locations.
While I've seen a lot of Ireland, there are still little nooks and crannies and bigger places that elude my travels. I'm hoping to catch up on some of those this trip. There are always sites I love to return to for some very special reasons that hold very special memories.
I would love to get back to the National Museum of Archeology in Dublin again for a longer time. My first visit was for only about half an hour when I needed to make sure I saw the Tara Broach. I know there are so many more amazing exhibits to see there, so I'd like to have the opportunity to spend some more time wandering around.
I'm also looking to another visit to Killarney Park and hiking up to the Torc Waterfall. And while there we have to have a ride in a jaunting cart. There's nothing like walking the streets of Killarney in the evening with all the summer energy.
I really missed getting back to Donegal last trip and would like to drive the Inishowen 100 out to Malin Head. I understand the scenery is something to behold. And County Donegal is such a beautiful place to be. Maybe if we have time a side trip to Glenveigh Castle and the grounds will fit in.
This trip I'd like to fit in some of the wonderful Irish gardens as we travel. I've never done that before except for Powerscourt. I'm hoping to get to Seaforde Gardens in County Down. I've seen some pictures and would like to capture my own.
Enough reminiscing for now. There are still more than 100 days and lots of plans to put in place yet. Just a few reflections on this next trip.
This has been a very trying year, and this trip is just what's needed to relax and have a lot of fun. Other than plane flights we haven't yet made any other reservations. We have contacted some friends outside of Galway who have a B&B to let them know we are heading their way and another B&B that does cooking lessons (can't wait for that) to inquire about what they provide. This trip will definitely have a different focus in addition to the required sightseeing locations.
While I've seen a lot of Ireland, there are still little nooks and crannies and bigger places that elude my travels. I'm hoping to catch up on some of those this trip. There are always sites I love to return to for some very special reasons that hold very special memories.
I would love to get back to the National Museum of Archeology in Dublin again for a longer time. My first visit was for only about half an hour when I needed to make sure I saw the Tara Broach. I know there are so many more amazing exhibits to see there, so I'd like to have the opportunity to spend some more time wandering around.
I'm also looking to another visit to Killarney Park and hiking up to the Torc Waterfall. And while there we have to have a ride in a jaunting cart. There's nothing like walking the streets of Killarney in the evening with all the summer energy.
I really missed getting back to Donegal last trip and would like to drive the Inishowen 100 out to Malin Head. I understand the scenery is something to behold. And County Donegal is such a beautiful place to be. Maybe if we have time a side trip to Glenveigh Castle and the grounds will fit in.
This trip I'd like to fit in some of the wonderful Irish gardens as we travel. I've never done that before except for Powerscourt. I'm hoping to get to Seaforde Gardens in County Down. I've seen some pictures and would like to capture my own.
Enough reminiscing for now. There are still more than 100 days and lots of plans to put in place yet. Just a few reflections on this next trip.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
The Plan
So here it is the beginning of February, 2011, and we have our flights, tentative at the moment, and a general plan for another trip to Ireland. For me this is trip number 4. For my traveling mate this is trip number 1. The great thing about this trip is that my traveling mate is taking an active part in planning and suggesting activities that I may never have thought about.
I love the planning part, whether I'm driving the plan, or whether someone is working with me on the plan. We're still haggling with American Airlines on trying to depart a day earlier and stay a few days later, but that all depends on when they release seats that can be purchased with airline miles. Whatever is meant to be, will happen for that.
I have gathered my maps and Rick Steve's 2011 travel book, but still need to find my electrical converters. I think I have two stashed away somewhere. All the little things I need to think about in the next 136 days. With all kinds of things going on at work, this helps to give me a focus on the future. While I'm excited, it's still doesn't seem real yet. Probably not until I actually get on the plane.
So goes post #1
A :)
I love the planning part, whether I'm driving the plan, or whether someone is working with me on the plan. We're still haggling with American Airlines on trying to depart a day earlier and stay a few days later, but that all depends on when they release seats that can be purchased with airline miles. Whatever is meant to be, will happen for that.
I have gathered my maps and Rick Steve's 2011 travel book, but still need to find my electrical converters. I think I have two stashed away somewhere. All the little things I need to think about in the next 136 days. With all kinds of things going on at work, this helps to give me a focus on the future. While I'm excited, it's still doesn't seem real yet. Probably not until I actually get on the plane.
So goes post #1
A :)
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