I Whistle a Happy Tune

Another successful day for the Emilys (and our new pal, Valerie) as we took on the Cliffs of Moher (possibly the most famous and visited site here in the Emerald Isle). A Paddywagon tour bus was our mode of transportation and, even though it was rainy and dreary for most of the day, we had an awesome time.

Check-in was at 8 o'clock and we were running (like actually running) a little late. Of course our tardiness was no big deal because in Ireland, being fashionably late is expected and being on time is almost always early, so being a little late still made us a little early...

Once we left we learned that our driver's name was Michael and he was from Tipperary. He was funny and nice throughout the day and provided a bit of interesting information throughout the tour (along with several karaoke tunes and the occasional inappropriate comment/joke). 

The bus had wifi so I played on my phone until the coffee break in Limerick. I then slept from Limerick to Doolin where I treated myself to my first souvenir (a necklace) and after a quick lunch we headed to the "Baby Cliffs of Moher" which were really exciting until we got to the real thing.

This is also where I should explain the whole tin whistle joke. As me, Emily, and Valerie are all doing the Early Start in Music class, we thought it would be fun to bring our tin whistles to the Cliffs and show the world our talents by playing the one tune we know over and over and over again. Many people laughed thinking we were hysterical and others stopped to listen to our song. Soon the whistles became our favorite photo prop and they are featured in many pictures that we took. I foresee this trend continuing...

After a short stop at the "mini Cliffs" we continued to the real thing. As we pulled into the parking lot there was a very heavy fog. I was a bit down because I thought of course we ride 3 hours to see fog and we went into the visitor center in hopes that it would lift. 

As a side-note let me just say that I love informational videos. I am not a big read-the-paragraphs-on-the-wall-in-exhibits kind of girl so was excited when I saw a theater and thought we could sit down and watch a brief history of the Cliffs. Instead the video was this hilarious day-through-a-sea-gull's-eyes video and it was super trippy because there were three screens trying to create a 180 degree view. It made me dizzy and when we left we couldn't help but laugh because everyone looked stunned and confused from the short film.

When we walked out of the visitor center the fog was even heavier! We walked over to the Cliffs and, while we were all impressed, we were disappointed by the weather (although, as our bus driver said, we were really getting the "authentic Irish experience"). But then it happened, after we had Valerie take a video of us attempting to play our whistles we turned around and the fog had lifted! The view was beautiful and the walk all the way around the Cliffs was breath-taking and surreal...

...and windy. Like super windy. Like I am from Kansas and have never been in a tornado but now know what it feels like windy. My hair became a weapon as it violently whipped me in the face and while everyone else was just covering their heads shocked we three were cracking up/freaking out. Michael had told us to be careful because if you got too close to the edge the wind could blow you off and man he was right! It was insane!

After the wind died down we finally made it to the end of the path and the weather was sunny and perfect. We recorded a satisfying take of our song on the tin whistles and got all of the happy student pics a traveler could ever want. 

 I have been to the Cliffs of Moher before when I was young and, as similar to the downtown Dublin memory mentioned in a previous blog, I remembered the whole landmark and experience incorrectly. While, again, sad, I remembered one specific thing from that previous visit.

On that trip our whole family had a bus driver take us all around the country (I think her name was Susan but as I have said all my memories are wrong). When we visited the Cliffs before I remember her giving all of the cousins a penny and telling us to throw them over the side. So, as before, I made everyone throw a penny over the edge of the cliffs today so I could validate that previous special experience. And, reader, as before, when we threw the pennies out over the edge of the Cliffs the wind blew them back our direction and majestically over our heads. It was magical and amazing and is the first thing on this second pilgrimage that I remember exactly as it was - perfect.

The rest of the day I was exhausted and ready for the short nap I got on the long ride home. Today was, at least as much or maybe even more than the amazing days that have preceded it, gratifying. (Though an arduous journey) I am so grateful for this experience and am in awe of the awesome events and attractions that I have stumbled upon and thoroughly enjoyed. Look for more blogs and tin whistles pics in the future because, reader, I think many (many) more good days are ahead!

Yours,
The Opinionated Lassie