Dia duit! Welcome to my scrapbook! I hope you enjoy your visit and are able to get a taste of the wonderful experience that was our trip to Ireland.
My name is Lori, and for this adventure I was traveling with my mother, Suzanne. My sister, Emily, was also in Ireland at the same time, but instead part of a study abroad program for her master's program. We live on the beautiful Oregon Coast where I work as an RN at our local hospital. This was our first trip since the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic, and unfortunately Covid was an unwanted passenger on our tour as well as my sister's. Somehow the three of us made it through without a positive Covid test! Covid has, unfortunately, changed the face of travel and not only because we wore facemasks everywhere we went! It has re-sculpted our minds over these last couple of years and has taught us to limit our time in crowded places. As with many places around the globe, Ireland has dropped masking restrictions, and the residents talk as if the Covid 19 pandemic is over - even if it is not. |
July 1 - July 14, 2022 |
Pascal lives in North Eastern Ireland. His family owns a tour bus company which is often utilized by Rick Steves Tours in Ireland. Pascal is a wonderful guide an quite an asset to RS Tours in Ireland. He was friendly, certainly an excellent storyteller, and offered a fresh perspective of what life was like growing up during The Troubles. I greatly appreciated Pascal's taste in Irish music and how he would play local music during our downtime on the bus. He had a selection of music available to enhance our visits to certain locations.
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Mark joined us early on in our adventure when we were leaving Dublin, his home. He drove us safely from Dublin to Belfast and along with Pascal, looked after us on our way. He quickly became part of the group and enhanced the experience! At the Burren he was helping me find unique flowers growing between the rocks. He also offered recommendations of places to check out at our various stops. Together he and Pascal made a great team!
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Our clan 10 days into our adventure! From Left to right: Suzanne, Lori, Kathy, Jim, Mary Jo, Guy, Lana, Ron, Geri, Bob, Diana (center), Donna, David, Briana, Mark, Pam, Victoria, Nick, and Pascal. (Not pictured, but missed: Ann, Mike and Ann, Barb, Chris and Christine, Linda and Mike, Patty and Tom.
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