Inis Mòr

Hello everyone!

Last night we went on a pub crawl. We had a quick takeaway dinner and then began. I'll be honest - it was an alright night but it wasn't the best. I had fun with the friends I've already made, we have a really good little group going on. But as of tmro we lose 10 people and gain 15 new ones for a few days. I don't want to be negative, but basically a few of them were really openly rude and obnoxious towards a few of us. Hopefully it doesn't affect the remainder of our trip and they pull their heads in a bit. 

We had fun dancing to some live music and having a bit of a laugh at some people getting a bit too into the dancing!!

This morning we caught a bus and then a ferry (all included - this trip is such fab value!) and travelled to Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands off the coast. The locals here speak fluent Irish/Gaelic and there's no English on the signs!!

The bus ride was hilarious. We sat up the back and had a really funny discussion about growing up in Australia. When we started explaining safety houses ("yeah these people volunteer and if you're in trouble you can go to their house" "what they're random people?" "Yep" "what do you do - have tea?!" Haha) and Harold the giraffe from the Life Ed van Dave couldn't believe it and we had a good laugh!!

We had a really lovely day cycling around the island. The group kind of split into its two parts again (awkward) but that suited us. Dave took us on a bit of a tour around. We saw a really pretty beach which I wouldn't have expected of Ireland, passed a supposed seal colony (didn't see any!!!) and rode around the countryside. We were so lucky with the weather, apparently it tipped down rain last week for Dave's other group. 

Next we went to a place called the Wormhole, basically a huge gap in the rock that looks like a pool with a big jump. At this point Brendon whipped off his shirt, changed into his bathers and proceeded to jump off the 20m high cliff top into the freezing water! It was an alright day but still cool and windy. 

I spent a few minutes calling him insane and taking a photo of him, and then remembered what I promised myself at the start of the year - that I would take every opportunity possible to better myself - including facing things that are challenging or scary. So Jess (a girl from Bathurst) and I decided to jump in too. Problem being we didn't have any bathers!! So I wore my crappy Primark top and my undies in. The photos look like I'm not wearing any but I PROMISE I am!!! 

Jess and I walked over and it took five minutes for us to convince ourselves to do it. It was very high and there was a ledge jutting out that worried me a bit, but we were absolutely fine! It was a bit cold but not as cold as Norway last year. Got out and swum to Dave and then dried ourselves. Problem being we had worn our undies in the water! So for the rest of the day we wore our legging and jumpers with nothing underneath - worth it!! Glad we did it. The pictures look like Im not wearing any as I jump but I promise I am!!!! Haha. 

Our last stop was Dún Aonghasa - a fort established in the 1100s by Celtic people. It was interesting to see, but the main draw was the view off the cliff top. No fence or anything, absolutely insane. Breathtaking view though and made me even more excited for the Cliffs of Moher tmro!

We had a hilarious bus ride back. Tonight we are going out for dinner to farewell the people leaving, mainly a couple from Sydney called Jess and Jason who we've affectionately named 'Jessie J' who are moving to London just as I leave and travelling in the meantime. I'm having an early night after that - two nights of 4-5 hours sleep in a row has worn me out!!

Love to all
Claire
Xoxox