Week 2 -- Swansea, Ireland & North Wales

Wednesday 28th June -- British Homestay to Swansea / Ferry

After saying goodbye to my new friends, we continued our journey to Swansea. The afternoon was spent at the Museum of Welsh Life near Cardiff, where we experienced "Wales in a day".  We explored reconstructed buildings from a Celtic village of 2000 years ago to a 1980's miner's cottage. After dinner in Swansea, we boarded a ferry for the overnight crossing to Cork, Ireland.

Thursday 29th June -- Cork to Killarney, Ireland

We visited Blarney Castle this morning, one of the most famous buildings in Ireland. In the upper walls, the world famous Blarney Stone is housed. It is said that those who wish to kiss the stone (while hanging backwards) will gain the 'gift of blarney' for which the Irish are renowned. I got the privilege to kiss the stone.  We then continued on to Killarney, a beautiful town surrounded by stunning scenery. Poets, artists, writers, and songsters have been inspired by its beauty. After dinner,  we took part in an evening of traditional Irish dancing.

Friday 30th June -- Killarney

In the morning, we enjoyed a breathtaking boat cruise and then boarded  a horse drawn jaunty cart through the mountain pass of the Gap of Dunloe. The evening was spent at Killarney National Park for a hands-on ecology session about native Irish Flora with a Ranger and taught us about conservation of wildlife.

Saturday 1st July -- Killarney to Irish Homestay

We traveled to Dublin and went to Bunratty Castle. Built in the 15th Century, Bunratty is one of Ireland's major historical attractions.  The castle was restored in the 1950s. Next to the castle is the Folk Park -- a complete village, with shops and a range of domestic architecture from a laborer's cottage to an elegant Georgian house. After arriving in the city of Dublin, we met our host families, who welcomed us into our new "home!"

Sunday 2nd July -- Irish Homestay

We spent a full day exploring Dublin, the capital of Ireland. We stopped at the "Viking Adventure," a recreation of Dublin in Viking times. We then visited Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland. After lunch, we explored the Natural History Museum.

Monday 3rd July -- Irish Homestay to Bangor, North Wales

After saying goodbye to our hosts, we continued our journey to Dun Laoghaire port. There we boarded a ferry for a crossing to Holyhead on the Island of Anglesey in North Wales. We stopped en route for a photo in  (Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwymdrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch!!).  This village boasts the world's longest train station name. On Anglesey, we visited some Neolithic sites, including a stone circle and burial chamber, and learned about "The Druids." Our next stop was  Beaumaris Castle.  In the evening we learned a few Welsh words during a lesson at the university.

Happy 4th of July! -- Bangor / Snowdoni 

Slate mining was one of the most important industries in Wales. In the morning, we stopped at the Welsh Slate Museum to see a demonstration of slate cutting.   We then went to Llechwedd Slate Caverns.  Here, we saw a sound and light presentation recreating the atmosphere and conditions of a slate mine.  We rode on Britain's steepest passenger incline railway as we rode into the caverns. We also visited Green Wood Center, a  park that explores the world of trees and forests.