So today we took a day trip out to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, which is pretty much the whole area south of Galway that is Co. Clare. It cost 16 euro, and was soooo worth it! We left at 10 this morning on a coach bus with about 25(?) other people. Our guide drove us around and told us about everywhere we went. We got to see castles, caves, dolmen (a 5000 year old stone tomb), and lots of adorable sheep, cattle, a billy goat, llamas. The highlight, however, was going to see the Cliffs of Moher! These 750 foot limestone cliffs drop straight down into the Atlantic, and they go on for.... I think 8 km. It is so breathtaking! On top, the green green grass grows and there is an ancient tower looking out over the sea. It all felt a little surreal to actually be there! Today was the first day in hasn't rained in who knows how long, so overall it was the ideal day! I finally feel that I have stood on Irish stone, walked on Irish grass, and breathed Irish wind... When you're in a city it would be easy to believe that you were in any other city on earth, but today there was no doubt that we were in Ireland! Sadly, tomorrow we have to head back to Galway to catch our flight to Lisbon which is very early Wednesday morning. You can pray that we will be able to figure out which buses etc. to take, and how to spend our day with our big packs after we check out of our hostel! The thing I am looking forward to the most about Portugal is hopefully not having to wear my long underwear to bed every night!

lots of love,
S
ps- i realize the pictures didn't work yesterday. these computers are very tempermental.