Observations
Sam in the passenger seat next to Pat the coachman
Tauck guide
Overall, Sam was excellent. Great singing voice, entertainment on coach was well timed, good knowledge of the history of Ireland, and not afraid to debrief on the more controversial issues.
Local guides
Also excellent, and Sam left us in good hands on the "excursions
Excursions
Well organized and perfect for eight year-olds (there was one other on the trip). Usually two a day and form most part interactive. Not so much for the older kids.
Meals
Not even decent, you don't want to visit Ireland and expect to eat well. And, in the hotels, we had a number of dinners where the noise level was too much for THB (especially in the hotels). Also, several dinners started late (after 7pm) and the service was very slow. Since we were traveling en masse we rarely have the option to skip dining with the larger group (though when given the chance, we did use room service or brought food in).
The tour group (for those that like gossip)
21 total
THB and DB and Martin 4
One family of 10, celebrating grandpa 80th. All 3 of grandpa and grandma's adult children, one spouse and 4 grandchildren. For most part, the group of 10 stuck together though twins and other 8 yr old bonded.
One group of 3: a very upbeat, cheerful woman with her two adopted children; adopted from Russia when they were 2 years old and now are in their early 30s.
One grandma and granddaughter just graduated from high school
Girls: 8, 16, 2 18, one 20, 4 were cousins.
No boys!
THB would have liked more mixing; the one night that we were split up at dinner by age was the night the Irish band backed Jasmine's singing. Soooooo loud that THB went outside and sat on the patio in the shade to eat his hot dogs (best hotel food on the trip).
Activities
Very much geared at young kids and older adults. most of the teenage girls looked bored most of the time, though they were always cheerful.
Our Last Full Day: much time on the bus to get to the cliffs and in the afternoon to be close to the Dublin airport as we are all flying out tomorrow
twins sharing one phone and two earbuds
another ruin left over from Oliver Cromwell's war against the monastery's and abbeys
tickets to the Cliffs of Moher
massive crowds on Sunday morning
Wait a minute, THB. Who threw in this counterfeit cliff scene?
the reward for making it to the top of the cliffs
our lunch spot...inedible
too salty
best part of the meal, by far
wedding celebration
nap time
last hotel of trip: lovely
view from room
Martins have co-joined rooms around the corner
dessert on the return flight
good view of the Loft
our Loft charger conked out just before we left for Ireland. Quickly replaced thanks to EW&JW, LB, and Salvador
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