So yesterday I decided last minute to go to Doolin instead of straight to Galway. It made more sense because i could walk to the cliffs of moher from there, then catch a ferry to the Aran Islands the next night and then hop over to Galway. My roomates were going this route too, actually, we have almost identical routes up through Galway. Our bus was at 10:00. When we got to the station we found out that we had an hour and a half wait in Limerick and then a straight bus to Doolin. perfect. WELL. the air-conditioning on the bus from Limerick was busted. We were dying of heat, i was dripping with sweat and it was laborous to breath. The bus driver had to drop us in Ennis so we could catch a new bus. Our three hour trip turned into 6 hours. When we got to the cliffs of moher stop the bus driver turns to us and says "does anyone know where we're going?" he had never even been to Doolin. when none of us did he says "ohh, THIS will be interesting". none the less, it was very humerous and even lightened the ride a bit, and we did make it to Doolin.

After checking into my hostel, i went immediately back out because the town looked so interesting. There isn't really anything there, a few pubs, a pier, B&B's and some small shops, all spread out. it is very flat, with rolling green fields, cows and horses. its the definition of quaint, and its one of the most beautiful places i've seen on my trip. After doing some compulsive shopping and purchasing a ticket for the ferry the next day, i ran into my roomates from Killarney and a girl who works at the guesthouse they were staying in. we went down to the Pier where people were jumping off into the water. Ellen jumped in right away but Flick (? i'm not sure if thats her name) and Lindsey took about an hour and a half to build the courage to jump. but they did. and it was perfect. After that I went to a O'Connells pub to get some food while the others went back to the guesthouse to change. I got fresh atlantic salmon, local of course, and it was delicious. i'm on a bit of a seafood kick, being on an Island and at the end of my trip i'm not as frugal as i should be, but its just so GOOD! The others got there and ordered some food, we got some drinks and enjoyed some live music. Doolin is known for is music, there are three pubs and they all play different Irish styles. This one had a guy with an accordion, a girl with a fiddle and a guy with a flute, no singing. after a drink we went to the next pub with an older Australian couple we met there. The next pub was great, traditional, slower storytelling music, with singing. It was hot and crowded, again, perfect. we got to the last pub too late for music, i hung out until 12:30 and then left because i was planning on getting up at 6:30 the next morning so i could hike up to the cliffs before my ferry (which i did, but i'll write about that later!!)