Ireland Observations and last full day pics

 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