Bray Ireland

Reflections. #brayireland

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Bray Head Cliff Walk

The last moments of light in 2015. #brayireland

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Temple Bar

The infamous Temple Bar. There were bubbles in the air. #templebarpub

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Temple Bar Area

Running around the Temple Bar area looking for that local trad music. #templebardistrict

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North Berwick Pub

Oh, English pubs in the country where dogs are welcome and everywhere! We watched the world dart championships on the tv, drank beer, and enjoyed being cozy.

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North Berwick

The blues had silver laced throughout them.

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Loch Etive

Glacier carved mountains with the boulders and lochs they left behind.

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Glen Etive

Water, rock, and earth. Exploring the wilderness of Scotland.

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Edinburgh at Noon

Edinburgh at noon. Beautiful light. Lots of green.

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Edinburgh

Edinburgh sky.

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Glendalough Upper Lake

I couldn't get enough of these raindrops forming on the branches. Everywhere they sparkled!

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Swans on the Canal Christmas 2015

Swans on the canal Christmas Eve night.

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Auxerre

Au Revoir, France! Until next time.

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Annecy Old Town

Annecy, France.

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Bicycling the Alps

I loved this snapchat so much I had to post it again. I've probably watched it ten times at this point. It's just so European to bike up the Alps! The bicyclist were everywhere making driving nearly impossible.

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Sunset behind the Alps

Sunsetting behind the Alps

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Cinque Terre Steps

This is how I feel about Italy and their organization 110% of the time - and I'm not even in the south of Italy.

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Cinque Terre - Monterosso

Night falls on Monterosso - waiting for the train back.

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Grape Fields in Cinque Terre

The view from the cabin I'm staying at in the Cinque Terre region of Italy. The grapes are all over the hillside down to the Mediterranean Sea. The air has a sweet scent of fruit.

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Tides around Mont Saint Michel

This is the view out to sea from the abbey at Mont Saint Michel where the Benedictine Monks (still) live.You can see for a 100km out. They say the tide comes in as fast as a galloping horse. It's not uncommon for people/tourists to drown or get caught in quicksand if they aren't careful/mindful of the time. If you look carefully you can see the tiny tiny people on tours of the bay. This place was so interesting to me because I've never been in a place that was so elegant and dangerous at the same time.

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Mont Saint Michel

I didn't even know this fortress existed until I was driving down the Normandy coast. Waaaay out in the distance into the ocean you just saw this castle thing and I said I want to go there!

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Brittany France

The coast of Brittany, France!

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Cliffs of Dover from the Ferry

Waving goodbye to England and the cliffs of Dover from the Ferry back into France.

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Bath

Ended the night with a Traditional Roast dinner in Bath.

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British Footpath

Hiking through southern England! On the walk downhill we passed an English couple and the following was exchanged. Us: Hi! No looking forward to your part (the walk up) Them: I'm surprised to see you out here without your wester! (British for raincoat) Us: we didn't expect to end up in England, but here we are! Them: I say, you are the worst navigators I have ever met!

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Canterbury Cathedral

In the crypt of the Canterbury Cathedral you enter a room that has this sculpture hanging from the ceiling. Its very eery and dramatic when you enter - mostly because you aren't expecting it! Overall, the Canterbury cathedral is amazing and I highly recommend it! It's in my top 5 of cathedrals.

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Sheep on the Public Footpath!

Walking along the public footpath from upper to lower slaughter in the Cotswolds! Sheep were common among the path.

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The Cotswolds

From a few days ago when I was playing in the Cotswolds (English country side). It might be my favorite.

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Monet's Private Garden

Claude Monet's private gardens where he painted the water lilies.

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Monte's Water Lilies

The first time I saw these water lilies I was 16 and stood in awe as I watched the paintings transform with the changing of the natural light. Today, I got to see them again. For me their presence is like a sort of calming medication. There are few places I find truly peaceful in the world, but the museum de Orangerie that holds Claude Monet's water lilies is one of them.

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Montemartre Neighborhood

Paris at 9pm on a Tuesday. The walk to dinner.

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D' Orsay in Paris

View of Paris from the impressionist floor in d'Orsay.

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Mausoleum of Galla Placidia - Oldest Mosaics in the world

Inside the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia are some of the oldest best preserved mosaics in the world dating back to 5th century. On the right you see the starry sky and the left you see the mosaic called "Garden of Eden". For me, it had the "wow" factor of being in the ancient Egyptian tombs. It has been my favorite on the trip so far.

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Byzantine Church in Ravenna

The Marble in this old Byzantine church in Ravenna, Italy reminded me of the marble at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. I wondered how far the marble had to travel.

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Pantheon in Rome

Saw the Pantheon. The weather in Rome is unreal. It's been above 95 degrees everyday. Retreating back to the apartment to get out of the heat...

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Modern Acropolis

When I was in the 5th grade I did a project on Greece! I built a scale model of the Parthenon (8x18 pillars... Still remembered). I thought it was hilarious to find all the modern scaffolding and machines laying around. It looked like it was their first time trying to build it! Funny how with the machines today we don't seem to create many buildings of elegance like the ancient Greeks used to.

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Acropolis on top of Athens

On top of the Acropolis in Athens.

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Πορτάρα Νάξος

Entrances and Exits. Europe watches Greece.

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Χαλκί, Νάξος

A short walk through Byzantine country on a path less traveled. Exploring the island of Naxos near the mountains.

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Island of Naxos

Made it to the island of Naxos! We drove along the northern edge of the island finding this old tower as sun was setting.

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Coming into Port from Sailing

Coming into port. The city of Oia above.

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Santorini at Sunset

Santorini just after sunset.

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Ferry to Santorini

Ferry boat to Santorini, Greece.

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The Vasa

Today I got to see the Vasa ship!!!! My wind orchestra in college was named after this famous ship. I was super excited to finally see it!!!

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