As I try to clear the jet-lag cob webs out of my head, I started thinking about this last trip while I lay wide awake at 0430. What did I like or dislike? What would I do differently? Would I go back or not to these locations?
So, what did I like? The very best part was seeing friends again and, getting Susan introduced to these people. I’m thrilled that she enjoyed meeting these distant people who are forever in my thoughts. Meeting our Dallas neighbors in Dublin and getting to meet G’s family was an unexpected surprise, sort of an unexpected gift at an unexpected time and, in an unexpected place. People are what make travels special for me.
I liked Iceland even though it has a way of sucking money out of your pocket. The very raw and lunar like landscape is somehow very interesting and either hides the beauty or highlights it depending on your eye I suppose, I want to see more. If I were to return, I would spend very little time in Reykjavik and get out into the countryside to explore. If you don’t like being in the elements, Iceland may not be your place but, if you don’t mind what Mother Nature throws at you (wind, mist/rain or cool weather) I’d say Iceland is worth visiting.
Ireland, one word…stunning. We were lucky to have friends to show us around, thank you for this gift Bernie and Nigel! I would definitely go back to Ireland. The Dingle Peninsula and the area around Kilorglin are beautiful, even with bus loads of day-trippers. I would love to go back and do the Dingle Way and/or the Kerry Way, especially with people like Bernie & Nigel and/or Katja, people who truly love this type of adventure.
Germany was about friends. Seeing my friend Katja and visiting her town were special for Susan and me. I would go back for that visit anytime. It’s unfortunate that we could not see Alex in Berlin but, that’s life, we’ll do it another time. Berlin, as I posted earlier, is a place to visit for other reasons as well.
I liked my REI pack very much! I wrote earlier about that. Now that I’ve used it, I would highly recommend it. I’m going to write later about some packing tips for this bag.
I liked the smile on Bernie’s face when Susan gave her the quilt that she made while we all walked the Camino.
I like Guiness!
I didn’t like my long layover and delay at the Keflavik Airport but, who does? I would probably find some way to avoid that stop on the way home if I were to do a visit as we did this time, getting in bed at 0230 on a 24 hour day was no fun.
I didn’t like the down comforter things that seem to be the norm for German hotels. It wasn’t bad at the Dorint-Oberursel Hotel (which I liked!), it had A/C. In our un-air conditioned room in Berlin, it was very hot. No top sheet, just me and my -30 down sleeping bag.
I’m a glass half full kind of guy so, while there were things that I could do without, food and drink that I can pass on (apple wine) and things I’d do differently. But, I’m glad I don’t sit around thinking of reasons not to go find out what they are because, I find far more things that I like, people that are unforgettable, places that I want to return to than I ever find the opposite. We’re here for such a short amount of time, I hope to make the very best of my allotted time slice.