If you dig a hole to China…..

Michaele continued to entertain all of us with her not-so-ordindary sayings.  In case you missed any of the them, or you didn’t quite understand what she was talking about, I have provided the translation.

pop-a-squat=sit down

see ya around like a donut=bye

toodles=bye

saucy/saucify=sexy

scrumdilicious=sexy

slop it up like a biscuit=go for it

peachy keen=it’s all good

humdinger=it’s all good

indoor sports=sex

hankerin’=urge/craving/desire

give me a little McCormicks=spice to life

shake the lilypad=a female peeing

Ahh…let’s not forget the potatoes! Haha..if I never seen another potato again for at least a month, I’ll be a happy woman……

Foods of Ireland Picture Gallery

The four of us, Lucerne, Caitlin, Michaele, and myself, became known as “the girls” on this trip. Then it was, “the girls and Brad”, then “the girls and Dan and Clancey”. We had a great time and plan on keeping in touch and traveling together in the future.

The Girls Photo Gallery 

For the past 150 years, Green Marble from Connemara, Ireland, has been used in the manufacturing of Irish jewelry. It is often referred to as Green Gold. A rare form, known as jade marble, has been in the area for about 600 million years. It is only used for the making of shamrock leaves in jewelry.

We visited the showroom and factory of the Connemara plant and learned how it was mined, cut, and processed. This type of marble is shipped all over the world.

Connemara Marble Picture Gallery
 

This cathedral was originally called the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas. Wow..that’s a really, really long name.  Construction on the cathedral was started in 1958, but it was offically opened and consecrated on August 15, 1965.  It is built mostly from Connemara marble and local limestone, and it sits on the west bank of the River Corrib.  The inside is shaped like a cross and the beautiful nothern rose window is the cental highlight of the massive organ.  This cathedral sits over 2,000 people for services.

Galway Cathedral Picture Gallery

The word “burren” actually translates into rocky place.  We drove through this national park and had a chance to get out and walk the limestone plateau for ourselves.  This rock formation was formed during the end of the last ice age and people actually lived on The Burren for 4,000 years!  It possess a unique environment and habitat; there are no trees, but lots of ferns, small shrubs, and mosses.  It supports the largest amount of plant life in one place than anywhere else in the world: Artic, Mediterranean, and Alpine plant life all dwell in The Burren.

The Burren Picture Gallery

The Cliffs are one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions. The Celts wandered over this vast wilderess and terrain, which stands at 214m high and covers a distance of 8Km long. Although the Celts build imposing castles, they preferred the nomadic lifestyle and enjoyed to hunt. O’Brien’s Tower stands at the edge of the Cliffs. From the Cliffs, one can see the Aran Islands and Galway Bay.

Today, the Cliffs serve as nesting ground for over 20 species of birds, including ~30,000 breeding pairs of seabirds and the largest mainland colony of Puffins in Ireland. This small bird is sometimes also referred to as the sea parrot.

Cliffs of Moher Picture Gallery

This airport was the first airport to introduce duty-free shopping. Passengers would wait out in sheds to get through customs, and somone had an idea to sell them things while they waited!! This airport is also a major refueling station for U.S. troops headed in and out of the Middle East.

Shannon Airport Picture Gallery 

Flying into Ireland was a sight to behold! Never before have I seen a sunrise from above the clouds…it was so surreal. Once the plane flew closer into Shannon, Ireland, my camera came out and my photographic journey began! Take a look at these pics from the airplane.

Flying into Ireland Picture Gallery