A dash of Doolin and lotta London

So when we last left off, I wrote about my visit to the Kylemore Abbey and around Galway. I've since left Galway, and traveled to the UK - both England and Northern Ireland. But first, one more stop on my Galway leg.

I was lucky enough to visit the small coastal town of Doolin, known for it's vibrant, albeit small, traditional Irish music scene. What the town lacks in population, they make up for in hotels, hostels, and especially B&B's. I venture to say the amount of tourists in the town outnumber the residents, and I don't think I'm wrong in that estimation. See, Doolin is a prime stop-over for those visiting both the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands, both very close by. It is also extremely beautiful, serene, quintessentially Irish, and quiet. I went there for a quick 24 hours, and had a fantastic time. I had a solitary wander about the fields, went to hear that famous Irish music in one of the 3 town pubs, and did a whole lot of walking around the neighboring fields. And here are the pictures :

What are moo lookin at?

Hey look, there's me!

And from my wander about the next day, before leaving Doolin.

And that was Doolin. A must-see for anyone who wants to experience a small but inviting Irish town. A short while later, I was off to London, to spend Seder night amongt friends (who are Jews!!), but not before snapping this priceless picture of Galway Bay.

And so after a mere 13 hours of travel to England (a taxi to a bus to taxi to a ferry to 3 trains to a lift to Hendon), I was in the Jewish ghetto of Golders Green / Hendon. Back to the land of kosher meat, black hats, and wishing each other a good shabbas on the street. As much as my heart is half Irish, the bigger half will always belong in Israel..... 

London is extremely overwhelming, but not in a terrible way. There are so many sights, so much to do there, that you really do need a long while to soak it all in. Unfortunately, I only had three days to tour between Peasch, but I think I managed to see quite a bit, and get a feel for the people (mostly Indian), the food (mostly Indian), and the tube (every single nationality crammed into one teeny carriage). 

First stop, gorgeous Wales

And then I was hit by the bustling city of London.

My London bible.

Heaven

The overcrowded and totally fun Camden market

And then some familiar sites about town....

Green Park, outside Buckingham Palace

Unfortunately, the Duchess is down under, so I missed the royal treatment. 

Me, in the typical tourist position.

And finally, reunited with my Tel Aviv twins!

After a once-in-a-lifetime Persian seder and one short week in England, I was off to the other side of the monarch - Northern Ireland. I've been here for almost a week now, and it is one of the most interesting places, still tension ridden from the troubles, but hopeful for peace between the sides. But more on that next time.

I'd be remiss if I didnt leave you with Doolin's own Dooliner, a fruity stout that goes down like water, and where one is entirely never enough.