The Trip
We left for Ireland with the south western Ontario karate team in July of 2001. We landed in Dublin and switched immediately for a quick flight to Shannon airport before taking a bus to Killarney.
The tournament was at a huge hotel witch was relatively close to where we where staying. After check out the venue we relaxed and got ready for the next days activities.
Up early for the opening ceremonies with teams from all over the world.
After that it was three days of competing in forms, sparing, and weapons. Canada did amazing, I was so proud of my team. I got a silver meddle in forms. And I placed 4th in sparing but didn't get a meddle.
After the tournament we decided to stay an extra day to do some sight seeing. We switched where we where staying to a nice little B&B. checked out crag caves in Kerry and Ross Castle just out side of Killarny.
The next day my Dad and I booked a train all the way to Dublin.
We stayed at a shady B&B there, had a bit of culture shock freak out but every thing worked it self out haha.
We made our way to the port in Dublin to take a ferry Holyhead in Wales. The ride was a bit ruff but by the time we crossed the Irish sea it was a great day. After finding a nice place to stay we went out exploring. Had some of the best fish and chips ever. Before discovering some old castle ruins by the sea.
After Holyhead we stared heading west to Conway Castle. It was such an amazing place. It was massive with so much history behind it.
after spending the day we got back on the train and started heading south to Chester Wales. Explored some castle ruins and the walled town all day before finding the local history museum. Stayed here for a couple of days before heading to London to see some friends.
Accommodations where expensive in London so we stayed at a huge hostel called the generator (700 beds!), it was a nut house.
In London we did the hole tourist thing; the double ducker bus and all :)
we saw Piccadilly Circus, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, St Pauls Cathedral, Trafalgar square, ect.. We also spent a couple of days visiting the art galleries. The British museum and the national gallery where some of my favorite things on the trip.
Finally we hooked up with our friends and spent a couple days hanging out with them before flying out of Gatwick back to Toronto.
posted by Mikkel Thorup @ Monday, January 17, 2005
