Once again, this week was one for the books. I was able to rent a bike again, and this time ride north for as long as the island would let me. There is a point where the sand is so soft that bikes no longer are functional, and that is where the island really became tropical. There were points where, if stranded, I could truly have believed that I was on a desert island, alone, like Tom Hanks in the film “Castaway”. I met a couple that was gathering fallen coconuts and they cracked one open and gave it to me, so I drank it as I rode, and then ate it while I did the same. It just so happens that my day was around 25 miles of cycling, after turning to google maps. Having said that, I was quite lost at some points so I would argue that I passed that mark. It was tremendous.
Later in the day I met someone from Canada who retired at 26 when he bought the bar in front of a resort. He said he has three to four months of busy bartending and then the rest of the year he just enjoys the view. Believe me, the view was worth it. He said he never wanted to feel the snow again, which to me is sad because I love winter, at least for a while, but to him it was a dream come true. In all honesty, he was one of the more interesting people I met while on the island.
About two miles past the bartender I felt that I could see the reef from the shore, and was convinced it was not even 400 meters away. I locked my bike to a coconut tree and left my bag on the ground, even though my bag had my phone, ID, and some cash, but we press on. I kicked off my flip flops and my bucket hat and dove into the water. There is more vegetation on that side of the island because there is less action in the water, but it was beautiful to see. I did not have goggles, but I forced my eyes open a bit. It was somewhat painful, yes, but inarguably worth the experience. I ended up swimming to the reef and it was still beautiful even though it was nearly unvisited by tourists such as myself. I did notice, though, that the fish were more skittish there.
I am not an amazing swimmer so the swim there and back was quite draining so I walked the back for a while until the sand was more packed down, and I rode until I found an abandoned hotel. It was there that I read a book I had brought and had the apple I overpaid for. Truthfully, it was a day that I will not forget. I highly suggest just wandering and embracing the mentality that getting lost is fun and exciting. I have more fun on those days than I do on most others.
For all of you Game of Thrones fans this was part of Winterfell on the first season of GOT. Castle ward (which you see through the gate) is the site where Jamie Lannister pushed Bran Stark from the ledge. Emily and I were surprised to find out that there are many locations in northern Ireland where filming for GOT took place. We rented a car and headed to Belfast this past weekend. So yes I did take a turn at driving on the left hand side of the road. And yes I did give Emily and myself a few frights along the way but we made it back to Dublin safe and sound. Belfast was beautiful and the accent of course was quite different from the Dublin accent, as was the currency and general feel of the place. The country side was gorgeous. We took the Mourne coastal route from Belfast back to Dublin and it was well worth it. The Mourne mountains are stunning as they run along the Irish Sea. Emily spotted the Isle of Man of the coast.
