Here is the rough itinerary for the remainder of my time in Europe:
May 1-3: Clitheroe, UK for a Cycle Touring Festival
May 4-29: Bike Tour around Scotland (26 Days)
June: Backpack Europe (24-28 days)
July 11-August 21: Bike Tour Norway (42 days)
August 22-September 1: Iceland (10-11 days)
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
The First Two Weeks
The rest of my posts will probably not be nearly as detailed as that first post. They'll just be quick recaps with some accompanying photographs.
I left Denver on Wednesday, March 11, with my bicycle and 2 large bags, weighing 85 pounds combined and a small backpack. Which is not necessarily the most comfortable way to travel, but actually didn't end up being too miserable.
I landed the next morning in London, where my dad met me with a cab to take us to his flat. An hour or so later we arrived to the flat, and I finally had all of my things in the flat and could relax. The rest of that day was spent getting settled, and then a walk to get some fish n chips for supper.
The next day, I did not do much besides a long walk around Hyde Park and the surrounding area. Still kind of getting settled and used to the time change.
Friday, March 13, I left early to catch a train to Holyhead, Wales to meet the ferry that would take me to Dublin. The train was really nice and comfortable and took us through some pretty scenic parts of England and Wales. The most notable place we went through that I'd like to visit someday was Conwy, Wales. They have a pretty impressive looking castle there as well as plenty of good looking coast line.
The ferry to Dublin is massive. The inside is suited with a large bar area, restaurants, a cinema, and more. I decide for the bar to get my first of many pints of Guinness and try to watch some of the rugby match between Ireland and Wales, but can't get a good view. 2 hours and 3 pints later, we arrived to Dublin.
I booked my place in Dublin through airbnb, and it ended up being across the street from Dublin Castle, which is right in the middle of it all. Walking distance to everything. Dublin is an amazing city with much to do. I spent a lot of my time walking around seeing the sights, and trying to find great pubs with music. These were very easy to find. My favorite was O'Donoghues by St Stephen's Green.
In Dublin, I also strolled through Trinity College, the famous Temple Bar area, Grafton Street, walked along the Liffey River, and was also able to run in the St. Patrick's Festival 5k.
I also had day trips to Howth (pronounced Hoat)...
And Glendalough. Glendalough is a monastic settlement founded in the 6th century. It's remains are awesome, as well as the scenery that surrounds it.
St. Patrick's Day is Dublin is absolute madness. I started the day with the Guinness Storehouse Tour right when they opened to beat the traffic. It is more of a museum than a tour, as you do not get to go through any of the brewery, but it is still really well put together and good fun.
After this was the parade...
...and then O'Donoghues...
By this point, the streets have turned into chaos. Filled with mostly teens, who are totally locked (drunk) and stumbling their way around. Some arguing with another, some getting pulled around by the police. I retreated to my room for a few hours, before going out for one last drink. It was still crazy out, so I went to the nearest pub I knew would be a little more calm, had a drink, and called it a night.
Some good words I learned in Ireland:
craic (pronounced crack) - fun (You were always looking for the pub with the best craic and Guinness)
locked - drunk
Slainte (pronounced slahn-chuh) - Cheers or "Good Health"
On March 19, I left Dublin for Liverpool. Liverpool is a great city, with quite a bit to see. I really enjoyed walking along the docks, and spent a lot of time there. I splurged on the Beatles Museum, which was very thorough. I spent the next day walking the city, and then walking around the outside of Anfield. After a couple laps I went back to the hostel.
March 21, I woke early to the stadium tour at Anfield. After the tour I had a pint or two at a pub nearby. The Sandon, which happens to be the pub where Liverpool FC was founded in 1892!
March 22 was matchday. I have a whole other post dedicated to this day already up.
The next day, March 23, I took the train back to London to meet mom and dad back at the flat. Mom was finally back from the States.
I will spend almost all of April in London, seeing the sites, riding my bike (getting my legs ready for Scotland), and watching football.
Trips for April include:
April 3-7: Gothenburg, Sweden
April 13-14: Liverpool
Maybe more
I left Denver on Wednesday, March 11, with my bicycle and 2 large bags, weighing 85 pounds combined and a small backpack. Which is not necessarily the most comfortable way to travel, but actually didn't end up being too miserable.
I landed the next morning in London, where my dad met me with a cab to take us to his flat. An hour or so later we arrived to the flat, and I finally had all of my things in the flat and could relax. The rest of that day was spent getting settled, and then a walk to get some fish n chips for supper.
The next day, I did not do much besides a long walk around Hyde Park and the surrounding area. Still kind of getting settled and used to the time change.
Friday, March 13, I left early to catch a train to Holyhead, Wales to meet the ferry that would take me to Dublin. The train was really nice and comfortable and took us through some pretty scenic parts of England and Wales. The most notable place we went through that I'd like to visit someday was Conwy, Wales. They have a pretty impressive looking castle there as well as plenty of good looking coast line.
 |
| A bridge and ferry behind it in Holyhead, Wales |
I booked my place in Dublin through airbnb, and it ended up being across the street from Dublin Castle, which is right in the middle of it all. Walking distance to everything. Dublin is an amazing city with much to do. I spent a lot of my time walking around seeing the sights, and trying to find great pubs with music. These were very easy to find. My favorite was O'Donoghues by St Stephen's Green.
 |
| Dublin Castle |
 |
| A typical band seen in just about every pub. |
 |
| Most buildings were lit up green like this every night. |
In Dublin, I also strolled through Trinity College, the famous Temple Bar area, Grafton Street, walked along the Liffey River, and was also able to run in the St. Patrick's Festival 5k.
 |
| Bridge over the Liffey |
I also had day trips to Howth (pronounced Hoat)...
And Glendalough. Glendalough is a monastic settlement founded in the 6th century. It's remains are awesome, as well as the scenery that surrounds it.
St. Patrick's Day is Dublin is absolute madness. I started the day with the Guinness Storehouse Tour right when they opened to beat the traffic. It is more of a museum than a tour, as you do not get to go through any of the brewery, but it is still really well put together and good fun.
After this was the parade...
...and then O'Donoghues...
By this point, the streets have turned into chaos. Filled with mostly teens, who are totally locked (drunk) and stumbling their way around. Some arguing with another, some getting pulled around by the police. I retreated to my room for a few hours, before going out for one last drink. It was still crazy out, so I went to the nearest pub I knew would be a little more calm, had a drink, and called it a night.
Some good words I learned in Ireland:
craic (pronounced crack) - fun (You were always looking for the pub with the best craic and Guinness)
locked - drunk
Slainte (pronounced slahn-chuh) - Cheers or "Good Health"
On March 19, I left Dublin for Liverpool. Liverpool is a great city, with quite a bit to see. I really enjoyed walking along the docks, and spent a lot of time there. I splurged on the Beatles Museum, which was very thorough. I spent the next day walking the city, and then walking around the outside of Anfield. After a couple laps I went back to the hostel.
 |
| Albert Docks |
 |
| A brewery right by the docks |
 |
| A Hillsborough Memorial |
 |
| A pint and a bowl of Scouse (a Liverpool stew) |
March 21, I woke early to the stadium tour at Anfield. After the tour I had a pint or two at a pub nearby. The Sandon, which happens to be the pub where Liverpool FC was founded in 1892!
 |
| Bill Shankly (a Liverpool Legend) |
 |
| 5 Times, We've won it 5 times, In Istanbul, We Won it 5 times |
 |
| The Sandon |
 |
| St Luke's Church |
 |
| BrewDog Liverpool |
The next day, March 23, I took the train back to London to meet mom and dad back at the flat. Mom was finally back from the States.
I will spend almost all of April in London, seeing the sites, riding my bike (getting my legs ready for Scotland), and watching football.
Trips for April include:
April 3-7: Gothenburg, Sweden
April 13-14: Liverpool
Maybe more
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