Come Down Rapunzel

Day Two: Saturday
      We woke up early and we already had planned what we wanted to do. After having the free breakfast of toast in the hostel kitchen we tried to get the bus to Blarney, but it passed us the first time and then we had to wait about thirty minutes for the next one or in the cold. It was fun thoguh and we eventually went the five miles to Blarney. We walked through the cute village to the castle. It was more amazing than we could have thought. There was so much land and beautiful castle. We walked up to the castle first and it was in a semi-dilapidated state, but so amazing. We began our walk up and about half way up Melissa had to go back down because she has issues with heights and there was a lot of steps and we were high up. It was fine though and the rest of us went up to the very top and kissed the Blarney Stone. It was so scary, they have a man that holds you but you are leaning out about ten stories up. You are just holding bars and i felt my bottom slipping because I had to lean back so far since I am short. It was awesome though and I bought the picture that they took of me kissing it since we could not take our own. We then went down and met up with Melissa and began walking around the massive grounds. We went through the Poison Garden where they have all the poison and harmful plants to educate the public and then went down many hiking trails. We spent the whole day there and we had wanted to go to Cobh, which was a nearby city by Cork, but we did not have time. We went back to Cork and then went to a pub for dinner.

Day Three: Sunday
   We got up early and went to the airport about eight o'clock and got there about 9:00. We got there so early(we had an 11:30) that the visa check-in desk was not open. We eventually checked-in and then got our flight back to London. We had an amazing time, which I will explain more through the photos.

Blarney Castle was we approached it.

We discovered Melissa's passionate love of moss during this trip.That river ran through the whole property.

There were swings that they just had to try out.

Me in front of the castle!

That is basically the castle and the round part is where the stairs were that we had to climb. It was very scary at times. They said they were going for "authenticity" , which we appreciate.

This is apparently called a 'murder hole'. They were drop stones or boiling liquids down it on unwelcome guests.

The view from the top. Ireland is so beautiful

This is apparently were the banquet hall would have been. Now it is open to the air.

That is where you kiss the Blarney Stone. The stone is supposed to give you the gift of eloquence. Famous people such as Winston Churchill are said to have kissed it. It was scary bending back to kiss it. Nothing there to hold you but an old man.

The poison garden.

One of the many nature walks that we did. Sometimes we were not even sure that we were on the property anymore, but it was so beautiful. 

Looking down at Taylor and Sarah. This is the old limestone kiln. Apparently when I was leaning over to look at them I looked like Rapunzel... hence the title.

Melissa, Taylor, and Sarah

Taylor and I found this hole in a tree. We do not know if it goes to Wonderland, is the entrance to Peter Pan's underground hideout, or leads to Narnia...Melissa said it was for rabbits...

Blarney House. We thought we had wandered onto some rich person's estate and we quite nervous...well I was. It turns out that the people that owned the castle built this because the Castle was not fit to live in anymore.

The wishing steps. Apparently if you walked up it backward with your eyes closed and think of a wish the entire time it will come true within a year. We all did it. 

Walking around the beautiful lake. We saw a fox and lots of horses and cows. No sheep though which was disappointing. It was an amazing trip!