ROLLERCOASTER ON WATER

We decided to experience the Cliffs of Moher from the water, with a boat ride from Doolin. This is one of the things Joe and I wished we would have done on our first trip to Ireland, so I was looking forward to it!

It was a beautifully sunny day as we boarded the ferry, but the winds were deceptively strong. The swells were intense and within a few minutes of launching, we were all wondering if we had made the biggest mistake of the trip.

*^{IF THE DEVIL WAS A BOAT, SHE’D LOOK LIKE THIS.}*

T3 was asleep almost instantly after leaving the harbor. It’s like he knew this was going to be an experience he didn’t want to be a part of and just hit the ‘power down’ button.

As whitecaps splashed over his windows, T1 was the only one enjoying the ride! “This is a like a rollercoaster on water!”

Pretty quickly, T2 said her stomach didn’t feel good. Oh lord. Then someone else in the cabin was seasick. Uuuugghh. We decided to try and get upstairs for some fresh air. We left the GParents to fend for themselves. Joe stood at the back of the top deck, with T2 crying into his legs. He was starting to feel green himself, from staring down at her so much. T1, T3, and I were just doing what we could to stay upright. And keep our lunches down.

To top it all off, the view of the cliffs wasn’t that spectacular. It was mid-day and the sunlight was at its worst angle and I was just not feeling any part of this experience. We did see the cave used for filming Half-Blood Prince, so that was cool for T1, but otherwise it all felt kind of meh.

After a walk into Doolin for lunch, to settle the queasys (queasies? I think I just made up that word!), we decided to drive to the top of the cliffs and give it a go from above.

We even climbed O’Brein’s Tower, just to make sure we gave it every shot we could!

Again, nothing to write home about. Insanely expensive entry fee, too many tourists, not a better view. I’m sorry. Cliffs of Moher just wasn’t my thing. But we did it, and now we get to listen to T2 talk about her horrible boat trip for the rest of our lives… “Did you cry? Because I cried in real life.”