Fishing in Killybegs

Ireland offers two and a half thousand miles of coastal area. The longest river in Ireland, the River Shannon, starts in the North and runs through County Clare and, like most rivers, is filled with salmon, trout, and mackeral. And, Ireland’s 365 lakes make fishing a top commercial and recreational choice. For only 12 Euros, you can obtain a fishing license and head out for some fun. The town of ‘Killybegs’ is the largest fishing village in Ireland and is Ireland’s version of its own ‘Deadliest Catch’. It has quite the impressive fleet of commercial and recreational vessels.
I always enjoy myself more when I'm near the water, there's just something about it. The calm, serene feeling adds to the quality of life, even if you don't fish, the Killybegs area is beautiful!
KILLYBEGS, Irelands Liveliest Fishing Port www.killybegs.ie

Belly Up at The Emerald Bar in Bundoran

I boarded my bus for points further north, eventually crossing over the border into the West End of Bundoran in County Donegal. Bundoran is a charming little beach town, a horseback riding paradise, and a surfing mecca.
After lunch, it was time to explore. I walked up the hill that overlooked the Atlantic Ocean and was drawn to a little pub called the ‘Emerald Bar’, an original IRA pub. This was 'The Republic of Ireland' and I approached the pub with some hesitation. Yet, I was craving a Guinness! (If you’ve never imbibed a Guinness in Ireland, you have not fully lived! The creamy texture is much lighter than it appears and a pint of the dark stuff slides down your gullet like a penguin in a wet suit!)
Once inside, you couldn’t help but to notice the reminders of the struggle that once was. The posters that lined the walls told the story of a troubled past. I bellied up to the bar and was greeted with a nod. I felt safe enough, but I knew I was an outsider.
The bathrooms told the story of a real Irish pub; no toilet seats. It was as if to say, ‘don’t get too comfortable’.
Another Irish saying goes something like this...”A bird can’t fly on one wing”. So, I did just that and ordered a second Guinness. ‘Slancha!’(Cheers), I exclaimed, as I finished my pint and glided with two wings out of the pub.
I loved the feel of the pubs in Ireland, most offer live music and all offer the liquid gold, Guinness! Don't be scared, everyone is friendly, even the tough ones crack a smile!

Top of The World in Ireland

Europe’s highest sea cliffs are found at Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) and offer the most stunning views in all of Ireland. The awe inspiring sight of the torquise waves from the Atlantic Ocean as they crash onto the shore some 1972 feet below will take your breath away. The road leading up to the cliffs is also a unforgettable experience. With it’s twists and turns and sudden breath-taking drops, you might think your bus is tipping over. Leave your high heals at home ladies; the walking pathways are rugged. I hiked One Man’s Pass, a five feet wide trail made up of very steep slopes on either side. As I climbed my way to the top, my heart was beating faster. I stopped for a moment, the wind blowing hard, and took a deep breath as I became entranced with the natural beauty of the unspoiled landscape. As I reached for my water and then for my camera, I realized I was on top of the world. Note: The 400 meter pathway is not for the faint of heart on a windy day.

Sliabh Liag (SLIEVE LEAGUE CLIFFS) Europes highest sea cliffs over looking the Atlantic Ocean 1972 ft below. www.sliabhleague.com

The Gardens of Glenveagh National Park

Glenveagh National Park is set along the Derryveagh Mountains in the Northwest corner of Donegal, Ireland. With over 16,000 hectors (or about 40,000 acres) of mountain, lakes and woodland, the park offers the ultimate getaway for outdoor enthusiasts, adventure junkies, or those just seeking peace and tranquility.
You're free to roam the Park on your own or you may sign up for a guided tour with a knowledgeable park guide. It was the Gardens Of Glenveagh that held the magic for me for it a nature lover and bird watching paradise.
The colors of the gardens are most vibrant in the summer months, lasting into the Fall. The walled gardens had hedges of sweet pea with brightly colored allium, poppies and inula, mixed with organic vegetables in the center; known as ‘Jardin Potager’ style. My favorite, by far, of all the flora and fauna was the saucer-sized rare Himalayin Blue Poppies. It’s paper thin petals swayed in the gentle breeze. As the butterflies fluttered above, I thought how lucky they were to call Glenveagh home.
If you find yourself in this part of the world be sure to take in the beauty of Glenveagh, you will be glad you did.

Glenveagh National Park-Donegal - The park is open year round, 7 days a week from 10am - to 6pm. (9am - 5pm in the winter) www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie

The Stone Womb

Newgrange is the best known of the three great Irish passage tombs of the Bru Na Boinne complex. Constructed during the New Stone Age, the passage tombs at Bru Na Boinne are about 5,000 years old. The people who built the giant hand crarved stone womb belonged to a thriving farm community. A passage tomb is as it suggests, a passage leading into a chamber where the remains of the dead were placed, perhaps, to be reborn. I say this because, for me, it felt more like I was entering a giant stone vaginal passage.
The walls of this giant womb were narrow and musty. As I crouched to enter the dark zone with only a flashlight, I had a mental flashback to a recent visit to my gynocologist. It was the vast opening into the giant uterus of the tomb that made me think about the years of engineering that must have gone into this art form.
After 5,000 years, the corbelled roof at Newgrange is still waterproof. Constructed of granite boulders and quartz stones from the nearby River Boyne, it’s estimated that the tomb weighs 200,000 tons. Newgrange sits high on a hilltop, overlooking the sheep filled hills of Meath. The giant circular mound is highly regarded as one of the finest achievments of the European Neolithic Art period.
One must experience what I like to call the giant stone womb.

NEWGRANGE, Irelands Passage Tombs www.newgrange.com

Mercedes-Benz Arena, Shanghai


No, Mercedes-Benz hasn't started making spaceships (although that would be a blessing at rush hour). This chrome "craft" in the Pudong district of Shanghai is actually an arena, which opened earlier this week.

Originally created for the city's World Expo, the oyster-shell-shaped structure has morphed from that event's cultural center into the country's first venue to offer naming rights—China's answer to L.A.'s Staples Center.

There's a lot going on inside to interest both locals and visitors, including an 18,000-seat stadium, a cineplex, an ice rink, a music club, and a mall. And in case you're still feeling skittish about aliens, rest assured the only conquering forces flying in will be the NBA basketball teams slated to play there soon.

Of all the buildings from Shanghai's 2010 World Expo this building is one of five that will remain after the Expo has ended.





Mercedes-Benz Arena
1200 Expo Avenue
Pudong
Shanghai, China