I know it isn't Christmas, but...

"How grand it feels to click your heels
And join in the fun of the jigs and reels
I'm handing you no blarney
The likes you've never known
Is Christmas in Killarney
With all of the folks at home..."

That song has been running through my head since I got here yesterday! But it doesn't matter because I am having the most wonderful time!

The past two days have been so relaxing and I have had the opportunity to truly experience Ireland in all it's beauty. The hostel I am staying in is really cute and comfortable. But once I arrived in Killarney I wanted to get going. So I walked for 4 hours through Killarney National Park and along the waterfront of the nearest lake. I was speechless (and for those who know me, I am not at a loss for words very often!). The view over the lakes with the mountains behind and the green pasture fields in front was so spectacular. I just sat up there with cows on one side of me and deer on the other. Yes Dad, I saw deer and they were so beautiful (and so close!). I probably looked a little crazy because I could not stop grinning as I walked along. I wasn't even afraid when I walked right through the middle of a cow herd (you just have to watch where you are walking). I have not felt that close to nature since the desert in Egypt. It was so amazing to be alone in the middle of beautiful Ireland and all I see is green. This country is so green even the dead trees are still green (moss). It is just so stunning. And to make the day even better, not one rain drop fell! Of course I got a little heat stroke because I wasn't ready for the heat of the sun but I still had a great day. During my evening walk through the town, I passed a church that offered a free concert. Hoping it would be traditional music I went in - it was an organ recital and it was awful! I guess some things are free for a reason.

Today was another spectacular day! I was up early so I could get an early start before all the cars got on the road. I rented a bike from the hostel and headed off for the rest of the lakes in the surrounding area. For the first part, I had to ride on the road (hence wanting to get out early). It was a little weird at first because they drive on the left side of the road but I picked it up really quickly as I did not want to get in an accident. The ride was so great (tough at parts) but the scenery was spectacular. In all, I probably rode for around 25-30 km with walking in between (more like climbing up a mountain to see the view) so it was an exhausting day but I loved it. But I won't be taking any pictures of myself for a few days because my rest in the park has left me with pink on only one cheek! I really was not ready for all this beautiful weather!

I have had such am amazing time in Ireland so far and can't wait for more. Tomorrow I head off for Belfast, Northern Ireland for a day. Then it is back to Dublin to jump right in to all the fun!

I'll keep you posted!