Although Will and I went to Pittsburgh primarily to make the trip to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, we ended up loving the city itself and really enjoying our time there.
Highlights:
-Pittsburgh has one of the most beautiful city views I’ve seen and the best place to check it out is from the top of Mt. Washington, a 5 minute drive from downtown. In the late 1800s, there were 15 cable cars, or inclines, that would bring residents of the mountain down into the city to work. Today, the only two remaining are the Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines. We rode the Duquesne at night. Parking is extremely limited on the mountain so I recommend parking at the bottom of one of the inclines and riding up. If you visit during the day and have time, you can walk just over a mile between the two at the top. Both offer unique, stunning perspectives of the city.
-Andy Warhol is probably Pittsburgh’s most famous resident so it is fitting that the city has an Andy Warhol Museum. The building has seven floors and holds over 500 pieces by the artist including sketches, videos, installations and many of his signature portraits. There is also an area devoted to Warhol’s biography and life story. Not to be missed is the “Silver Clouds” exhibit which invites visitors into a small room to dodge and play with flying silver balloons.
-I’ve seen a lot of amazing artwork and I can be a tough critic but I was completely impressed with The Mattress Factory. The museum of contemporary art is unique in that you get into and become part of most of the pieces. I particularly liked the crazy mirrored rooms by Yayoi Kusama. I love art that engages and involves its audience and the collection at The Mattress Factory accomplishes this better than most.
-The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium is one of the few zoo/aquarium combinations in the United States and it’s a great place to spend a few hours. The highlight is the elephant enclosure which is home to two endlessly entertaining babies born over the summer.
-For an afternoon or evening out in the city the Strip District is your best bet. The area is comprised of former factory and mill buildings converted to shops, restaurants and clubs. On Saturday the streets are full of locals and tourists strolling the sidewalks and browsing the outdoor markets.
As a cool U.S. city, Pittsburgh is highly underrated. It’s laid back, friendly, safe and full of top notch art, picturesque scenery and great restaurants. Although I didn’t mention sports, they are a big deal here and if you happen to visit during baseball or football season, the entire city seems to come out for the games!
For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.
Will and I are big fans of modern architecture so Fallingwater, a house designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, has been on our list of places to visit for many years. Located an hour and a half outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it is widely considered the most beautiful house in the world and is certainly one of the most famous. Why is Fallingwater so special? The house is literally built into a waterfall and enhances the surrounding natural landscape without intruding on it.
I booked us on the first tour of the day to avoid crowds. Although the house is in a remote location, it is very popular with tourists and reservations must be made in advance online or by phone. Tickets start at $16/adult for a regular tour with no pictures but there are many more expensive options that include more rooms, photography, sunset hours and brunch.
Fallingwater was built in the 1930s for the Kaufmann family, owners of a department store in Pittsburgh. They met Frank Lloyd Wright when their son studied under him. The Kaufmanns loved modern design and had a lot of money so it was a perfect match.
The Tour:
The tour of Fallingwater starts in the kitchen, small and somewhat standard except for its unusual windows. The glass panes come directly out of the stone walls with no frames separating the two. In the small reading room next to the kitchen there is another unique window with no frames on it’s corners. The frameless windows appear throughout the house and give the illusion that they are glass free and open to the elements. Wright wanted to minimize the separation between indoors and outdoors and the technique is very effective.
We visited three bedrooms all equipped with fireplaces, the only source of heat in the house, and private balconies. The balconies are cantilevered, or supported on just one end. They hang over the waterfall outside the house and your view over the edge is unobstructed. By giving each living space a private outdoor area Wright encouraged guests to form personal relationships with the natural setting outside.
The most famous room in the house is the Grand Room and it doesn’t disappoint. It combines a dining room, living room and small sitting area into one large space. Shelves line the walls of the eating area while a long couch and tall windows cover the opposite side. A staircase leading outside is positioned so it disappears into the river running below. A stone fireplace with the most beautiful hearth I’ve ever seen adds warmth to the room.
Above Fallingwater there is a second building which was used as a car garage and guest house. There is a sitting room and a bedroom here and offices for the foundation currently maintaining the property and running the tours. Directly outside, there is a pool with interesting stone slab steps that is fed by natural water. It may or may not be full during a visit as it is routinely emptied.
Fallingwater has been open to the public since 1964 and millions of people have visited. Although it has many admirers, with the building codes of today, it could never be duplicated making it truly one of a kind. There may no longer be residents living at Fallingwater but it continues to provide many people with a serene and peaceful escape from city life, if only for a few hours.
For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.
Will and I had to cut our visit to Philadelphia short so we went straight to Independence National Historical Park to check out the attractions in the area. The park covers 20 city blocks and includes many important sites in American history.
Highlights:
-The most well known landmark in Independence Park is probably the Liberty Bell. In 1776 it rang out when the Declaration of Independence was read, cementing it’s place in history as a symbol of freedom. Although it’s been out of commission since 1846, due to it’s famous crack, it has remained popular with tourists from around the world. You must pass through security to visit the bell but, once you reach it, you can get surprisingly close.
-Nearby stands Independence Hall, arguably the most important building in U.S. history and the original location of the Liberty Bell. Here, the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the Constitution was drafted and signed. Entry is only allowed by tour and tickets must be obtained at the visitors center a couple of blocks away. Unreserved tickets are free but limited. If you visit during a busy time, I recommend paying the $1.50 fee to buy them online in advance. Reserved tickets must be picked up at least one hour prior to tour time.
-We also stopped by the grave site of Benjamin Franklin at Christ Church and toured the National Constitution Center, a museum dedicated to the history of the Constitution and the people who have worked to uphold and protect it for over 200 years. On September 19th, a new exhibit will open there about our election process and current presidential candidates called “Headed to the White House”.
With election season in full swing, there’s no better time to visit Philadelphia. It is, in many ways, the birthplace of this country and will remind you of the ideals and principles the United States was built on. It is the perfect place to reflect on your own feelings about the country and remember the amazing individuals who made our lives today possible. Hopefully, it will also get you excited about paying homage to them this November when you cast your votes!
For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.
Will and I have always been fans of the famous blue and white Delft porcelain so we decided to check out the city where it’s made. The train ride was about an hour from Amsterdam but it was scenic and pretty. I expected the city to be quaint but it was actually quite active with plenty of shops and restaurants. There were also a lot of people and most of them were zipping around on bikes so we had to keep our heads up and watch where we were walking.
Highlights:
-Our first stop was the Royal Delft Factory, the top producer of the aforementioned Delft porcelain. There is a museum where you can learn all about the history of the company and see antiques made in years past. You can also walk though the production room and watch actual pieces being created. Guided tours are offered at different times depending on the season, but it’s very easy to find your own way around. Before you leave, you can visit the showroom to buy souvenirs. Although Delftware is expensive, the shop has a number of smaller and on sale items at reasonable prices.
-Delft’s Old Church is, as its name suggests, the oldest in the city. The floor is covered in grave stones making it uneven and somewhat tricky to walk. Although there are 400 people buried within the building, the most famous is Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer of “Girl With a Pearl Earring” fame. The artist was a resident of the city and his plaque is easily found as fans often cover it with flowers. Also of note in the church are the 27 magnificent stained glass windows by Joep Nicolas.
-Not far away stands the New Church. Although construction began in 1396, it’s 150 years younger than the Old Church. If you pay for admission to one church, the ticket is also valid to visit the other. The New Church is the final resting place of the royal family of The Netherlands. There is a long spiral staircase that visitors can take to the top of the church’s tower for an additional fee. It is a difficult climb, but worth it as the view from the top is the best in the city.
Delft is a great walking city. Everywhere you turn there is something to see. Even though I enjoyed the places we visited, my favorite moment in Delft was completely unplanned. As we rested in the shade of some big trees in an old farmers square called Beestenmarkt, a street organ rolled up and began to play. It reminded me that travel is full of unexpected surprises and those are often what you remember long after you’ve returned home.
For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.
Although Amsterdam is the capital of The Netherlands, The Hague is official seat of the government. It is home to the Dutch Parliament, their Supreme Court, monarchy and most foreign embassies. Since it is easy to reach by train and takes just under an hour from Amsterdam’s central station, Will and I found it the perfect place for a day trip.
Highlights:
-The courtyard where Parliament meets and the office of the Prime Minister is located is known as Binnenhof. Although most of the buildings are closed to the public, there is a small visitor center where you can sign up for a guided tour. The tour begins with a short video about Binnenhof and the political history of The Netherlands. It includes visits to the Hall of Knights and the Second Chamber of Parliament, providing the rooms are not in use during your visit. The Hall of Knights is where the queen officially opens Parliament in a ceremony every September. She arrives by golden coach and proceeds to her throne to deliver a speech describing government business for the year ahead. It’s quite an honor to be among the guests invited to the event. Tours of Binnenhof can be unpredictable not only because the buildings are still in use but also because they are only given at specific times to a certain number of people. If too little people show up, there may be no tour but if too many show up you may not get a spot. If you visit The Hague, head to Binnenhof first to find out the status of tours for that day.
-Next to Binnenhof is the royal picture gallery called Mauritshuis. It has a fantastic collection of Dutch art by world famous painters. Among the most notable pieces is Rembrandt’s “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp” and Vermeer’s “Girl With a Pearl Earring”. I had never been impressed by pictures of “Girl With a Pearl Earring” but in person it is absolutely stunning.
-I first saw a picture of Madurodam several years ago and I couldn’t wait to visit. It’s a miniature city on a 1:25 scale with models of famous architecture and historical sites from all over The Netherlands. The attention to detail is remarkable. There is a little airport with moving planes, an amusement park with a turning ferris wheel, and canals with bridges that lift for boats to float through. There are even little trees and gardens! The city has a mayor and council of young people elected in The Hague’s schools who attend ceremonies and officially accept new models. There is also a full time professional staff to keep everything in working order which can be a challenge as it’s completely outdoors and exposed to the elements. Madurodam was opened in 1952 by the Maduro family as a special memorial to their son who died in a Nazi concentration camp. Profits after taxes have always been donated to charity.
The Hague may not be as pretty as Amsterdam, but it is no less significant. The city is home to Holland’s most powerful citizens and if you love history, your trip to The Netherlands would be incomplete without a stop here .
For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.
Amsterdam is Will’s favorite place to visit so we are always excited to return. There are a lot of things Amsterdam is famous for including its canals and houseboats, architecture, windmills, and legalized marijuana and prostitution. It is also extremely crowded! There are bike, bus and car lanes and bridges are routinely raised for passing boats. Walking is the best way to get around but you must pay attention to where you are going and always obey crossing lights.
Highlights:
-Our favorite restaurant in Amsterdam is The Pancake Bakery , famous for its pancake dishes. Unlike the thick, doughy pancakes we have here in the U.S., these are thin and more like crepes. They are huge, come with a wide selection of toppings and are delicious.
-Close to The Pancake Bakery is the Anne Frank House . I was surprised at how large the house was, but I’m sure it felt small with 8 people hiding inside for over a year, unable to even open a window for air. It’s surreal to see pictures of Amsterdam with Nazis in the streets you have been walking.
-The Van Gogh Museum houses over 200 of the artist’s works. Sitting inside I thought to myself that Van Gogh was astonishingly prolific considering how tortured his life was. Though there are Van Gogh paintings in many museums, he was never successful in his lifetime, was plagued by mental illness and died feeling a failure. My favorite paintings are his self portraits because it’s so interesting to see how he saw himself.
-Located in the same park as the Van Gogh Museum, called the Museumplein, is the Rijksmuseum, the largest museum of art and history in The Netherlands. Although it is currently undergoing extensive renovations, there is a small section open to the public showcasing the museum’s most famous pieces in an exhibition called “The Masterpieces”. The presentation is impressive and worth seeing, but I highly recommend visiting during the week or right at opening time as it gets very crowded.
-Heineken beer is a product of Amsterdam and the company has a tourist attraction in the city called “The Heineken Experience”. You’ll notice it’s not called a factory tour or anything like that. I expected to learn how beer is made here but that’s not how the visit transpired. Instead, you are ushered through rooms with vats and odd interactive displays and a motion odyssey movie meant to show “how it feels to be a Heineken bottle”. There are also bars in which you use the free drink tickets that come with your admission. By the end of “the experience” you don’t care or remember much of what you saw, but you’re handed a free Heineken beer glass to solidify your love for Heineken. Although the attraction is currently closed for renovations, it is expected to reopen later this fall. Check the website linked below for more details.
-There are several canal boats that run hour long tours through the canals. It’s touristy but fairly inexpensive and it offers a unique perspective of the city. There are also hop on/off boats that you can use to get around the city which stop frequently at main attractions. Although you’ll pass many bridges in the canals, look out for the Skinny Bridge which is famous because both sides are raised instead of just one to let boats pass.
-Rembrandt lived in a mansion in Amsterdam for many years during a time when he was very successful. Called simply Rembrandt House, it is a fascinating place to visit. In sharp contrast to Van Gogh, Rembrandt was very wealthy and loved to spend his money. It’s amazing to stand in the very room where he painted some of his masterpieces. Rembrandt was actually more famous for his etchings when he was alive than his paintings. Etchings are small pictures scraped into metal pieces, filled with ink and then stamped on paper. The House holds the largest collection of Rembrandt etchings and one could spend hours studying them.
-Although tourists flock to Amsterdam hoping to catch a glimpse of Holland’s world famous tulip fields, tulip season only runs from mid-April to mid-March. During the rest of the year, the only place to see tulips is at a flower market. The Bloemenmarkt is unique because it is the world’s only floating flower market with its stalls along the Singel canal. Here you can marvel at the colorful flowers for sale and even purchase bulbs to take home and grow yourself. Just be sure to get all the paperwork required to bring your plants back to your home country.
-Another place to see flowers is the Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam’s botanical garden. It is one of the world’s oldest, founded in 1638 so doctors could study plants for medicinal purposes following the city’s plague epidemic. Though small, it is a peaceful and fragrant escape from the busy city. It is the perfect place to take a break from touring with benches throughout the garden and a nice little cafe.
-It is legal to smoke marijuana in Amsterdam if you desire, but only in designated areas. These places are marked with signs that say “Coffeeshop”. There are many different kinds of coffeeshops and they are located all over the city. Some are dark and have loud music and some are bright with outdoor patios. Most do not serve alcohol but have a menu with coffee, tea and juice drinks as well as snacks. If this is something you want to do, walk around and find a place you feel comfortable in. You can purchase marijuana inside any of the coffeeshops and most have a menu and a seller that can help you decide what’s right for you. You can buy a little package of what you want and if you need help with rolling all the servers are experts. When people are high, they usually sit quietly or eat so you don’t see a bunch of crazy people running around…it’s actually very civilized. Still, you should be careful. Most places in Amsterdam close around 6pm. In the summer, it stays light until quite late and there are people everywhere but after 10pm in the winter it’s dark and empty and not the best idea to be wandering around high, by yourself, at night. There are many alleys in Amsterdam perfect for targeting a tourist to rob. Just be smart and you’ll be fine.
-Prostitution is also legal in Amsterdam. Though taboo in America it’s just not a big deal there. In the red light district you can walk through the alleys and see girls standing in the windows waiting for clients. Over the past few years, the area has become less seedy as fancy hotels and restaurants have moved in and reduced the number of sex shops and brothels. Though I don’t condone prostitution, it is a part of the culture in Amsterdam and their red light district is a unique sight. It’s definitely safe to walk though during the day, but don’t take pictures of the girls unless you want trouble.
Although in the past many people would write off Amsterdam as a hangout for potheads I recently read an article in a travel magazine calling the city a great destination for families. I was so pleased because with so many things to see and do, it really is a place most people would enjoy. Will and I love Amsterdam and I know we’ll be going back!
For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.
Since I’ve met so many great people from Seattle, it’s a place I’ve long wanted to visit. Like its natives, the city is fun and friendly and although it’s called “The Rainy City” the weather was perfect during my stay. I was told we would need a car, but Will and I had no trouble getting around without one. The city strongly encourages the use of public transportation and has underground tunnels for their buses which are free to ride in the downtown area.
Highlights:
-The most recognizable landmark in Seattle is without a doubt the Space Needle. A monorail runs to the structure from downtown and I was surprised at how excited I was when it appeared through the trees. It was like a giant “Welcome to Seattle” sign! We had lunch at the top which was expensive but the food was excellent and the view of the city is amazing. Will even got their signature dessert, a smoking ice cream called the Lunar Orbiter. The restaurant is located in the ring and rotates around the Needle so that in the course of a meal you’ll see Seattle from all angles. If you eat there, tickets to the observation deck are included. Otherwise, you can just buy tickets to visit the top.
-Next to the Space Needle is the Experience Music Project. You can’t miss the shiny, wavy, Frank Gehry designed building, especially since the monorail to the area drives right through it. Built by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2004, the museum pays tribute to Jimi Hendrix with memorabilia and interactive displays. There’s also a collection of priceless guitars and an exhibit called the “Northwest Passage” which features musicians from the Seattle area. Another section of the building serves as the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame and houses artifacts from sci-fi movies mostly from Allen’s private collection.
-Seattle’s public market, Pike Place Market has been operating since 1907 and is one of the oldest markets in the United States. Here you’ll find fresh produce, bakeries and the famous fish market where fishmongers toss salmon through the air. They are happy to do it by request for a picture but they like to mess with people so watch your head! The very first Starbucks is here and so is the Market Theater gum wall, a creation patrons add to as they wait to see a show. The market mascot is a giant piggy bank named Rachel. Visitors rub Rachel’s chin and make a wish after they’ve given her some money. Every year, Rachel receives over $9,000 in a variety of currencies to support public works at the market.
-Although the Woodland Park Zoo isn’t the best I’ve seen, I would consider it among the top zoos in the United States. You get a great view of some animals that are often tricky to spot like the snow leopard, brown bears, jaguar and gorillas.
-The Seattle Art Museum downtown is small but has a nice collection, particularly of modern and contemporary art. I love the moving “Hammering Man” sculpture in front of the building. Inside, there is a stunning piece called “Some/One” by Korean artist Do-Ho Suh made from three thousand military dog tags.
-Visiting a library isn’t often on a trip to do list, but the Seattle Public Library Central Branch is not to be missed. Designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, it is big and bright and fun to explore. It’s like a maze with escalators, elevators, stairs and hallways every way you turn. The windows in the library form interesting light patterns and create a unique view of the street. We visited on May Day and a large protest passed by. It was quite a sight! My one caveat is to be aware of the people around you. The library is public and homeless people hang out there, especially in bad weather. For the most part, no one will bother you, but during our visit there was one screaming man that we had to dodge.
-If you are a frequent flier, you’ve probably spent time on a Boeing aircraft. Boeing is the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world and was incorporated in Seattle in 1916. Although the company has spread operations across the globe over the years, it still remains one of the city’s top employers. Visitors can learn all about the Boeing Company and the history of flight at the Museum of Flight just outside the downtown area. The museum contains many types of aircraft, some of which you can board and explore on the inside. 25 miles north of Seattle, in Everett, you can tour the facility where new airplanes are currently assembled at the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour. The factory is home to the largest building in the world. It’s so big that at one time clouds would form in the building and it would rain inside! Today, large fans prevent condensation from collecting and creating the “storms”. Photos are not allowed and this rule is strictly enforced so I don’t have any pictures, but it’s definitely worth making the trip out there if you have the time. We didn’t have a car so we took a Grayline tour there which lasted roughly 4 hours including travel time.
I was surprised at how few tourists I encountered in Seattle. Perhaps it doesn’t have the excitement or flashiness of some other U.S. cities, but that’s just why I loved it. Whether you enjoy art, history or a great cup of coffee you can find it all in Seattle with few crowds and little hassle.
For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.
Because I’m of Irish descent, Ireland is a place I’ve always longed to visit. I wanted to connect with the country my ancestors came from and I was eager to take in the beautiful, green landscape I had only seen in pictures.
Dublin is a safe and friendly city where most Americans will feel at home. Many sights are a good distance away from each other so it’s necessary to ride the bus. Some tourists buy Hop On/Hop Off tickets for the Grayline Bus that stops at popular attractions but the city bus line will get you everywhere, including to and from the airport, and costs less. Multi-day passes are a great option and can be purchased at the tourist information desk at the airport. The weather is completely unpredictable so an umbrella should be carried at all times.
Highlights:
-One of the most photographed landmarks in Dublin is the Ha’Penny Bridge over the River Liffey. A pedestrian bridge built in the early 1800s, it earned its name for the toll collected from walkers as they crossed. Although the fee was dropped in 1919, the name stuck. The sides of the river, also called quays, have stone boardwalks perfect for a stroll.
-All over the city, the townhouses have colorful Georgian doors with white columns known as the “Dublin Doors”. They are a long held tradition and it’s fun to search for the prettiest and most unique entryways.
-The General Post Office on O’Connell Street is arguably the most important building in Dublin. In 1916 when Irish citizens staged a rebellion known as the Easter Rising to demand independence from Britain, the post office was their headquarters. It sustained heavy damage in the battle that ensued but was later restored. In addition to serving as the hub for the An Post, it is considered a symbol of Irish freedom and is a popular gathering place for protesters. In front of the building stands The Spire of Dublin, the largest sculpture in the world. Erected in 2003 as part of a resurgence project in the area, it is a reflective, stainless steel pole reaching 120 meters (nearly 400 feet!) into the sky. It’s a impressive architectural feat and a true challenge to photograph!
-A few blocks away in Parnell Square, the Garden of Remembrance serves as a memorial to those who died in the name of Irish freedom. It also marks the area where leaders of the Easter Rising were held before they were sent to prison. It’s one of the most effective tributes I’ve seen with a beautiful pool shaped like a cross in its center.
-Many Irish rebels, including those that started the Easter Rising, served time in Dublin’s jail, Kilmainham Gaol. In addition to protesters, women and children also did time in the Gaol and all were mixed in the same rooms. One exhibit at the jail shows mugshots of prisoners with their crimes and sentences underneath. For stealing a piece of bread or pat of butter, a person could do time. It is a cold and dark place and was Ireland’s most infamous jail until it closed in 1926. Today it is the largest unoccupied prison in Europe. It is well restored and has been featured in several movies including In the Name of the Father and Michael Collins. Kilmainham Gaol may not be cheery, but it is important to Irish history and is a place you’ll remember long after you’ve left Dublin.
-Trinity College was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth during English rule. It has an interesting history but the main reason tourists flock to the campus is to see the Book of Kells. Written around 800 A.D., the Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript containing the four gospels. Housed in Trinity’s also impressive Old Library it has been called the most beautiful book in the world.
-After 6pm the only places open in Dublin are the restaurants and pubs. Many people head to the Temple Bar section of the city. It gets crowded and you may have trouble getting into a place at night without a reservation. I liked exploring the area in the afternoon when I could admire the cobblestone streets and the buildings by daylight and easily get a table for lunch.
-The drink of choice in Irish pubs is Guinness, a dark beer famous for it’s foamy top. Guinness has been produced at the St. James Gate Brewery in Dublin since 1759 and while it is now brewed and carried worldwide, all of the product served in the United Kingdom still comes from here. Visitors can walk through the Guinness Storehouse to learn the history of the company and how the beer is made. The tour ends in the Gravity Bar where floor to ceiling windows offer panoramic views of the city and guests can enjoy a complimentary pint.
-A popular day trip from Dublin is south to County Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland. Many companies offer tours of the area and they seem to stop in the same places. Our Grayline tour stopped at the Powerscourt mansion, famous for its Italian and Japanese gardens, the country’s oldest handweaver in Avoca where we watched scarves being made and the mystical Glendalough Monastery where St. Kevin lived with his followers. Visiting Wicklow is a great way to get a taste of the Irish countryside, especially if you are short on time.
Ireland has a tumultuous and sometimes tragic past and many important events in the country happened right in Dublin. Several attractions in the city focus on its history and while you might think it would be depressing, it’s actually inspiring. Today, Ireland is one of the richest countries in the world and its citizens are proud of the people who made their current prosperity possible. Immigrants are flocking in to fill the surplus of jobs and many Irish who left during the lean years are returning home.
When we visited county Wicklow, it rained most of the day. As we drove back to the city, a full rainbow appeared in front of our bus. I think Ireland is like that rainbow; a beautiful light after dark and stormy times. I loved Dublin and I can’t wait to go back and see more of the country!
For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.
Check out this great video of us with some manatees on our trip to Homosassa Springs, Florida!
Special thanks to Captain Don at Air Tank Divers for shooting the footage and to the incredible, beautiful, gentle manatees for letting us into their world for a few hours. They loved the camera!
