The Cliffs, the Burren, and Galway
“To be Irish is to stand as tall as the cliffs with a soul as deep as the ocean.” - Irish Proverb
On the Tour
Seeing the Cliffs of Moher was one of the reasons I wanted to go to Ireland in the first place, and they didn't disappoint! People could explore in two different directions, and I tried both. The main path to the right of the visitors' center definitely had the better views from what I could see, but I stopped at multiple points along both paths because every new angle was more awe-inspiring than the last.
I had not heard of the Burren before my trip, but I was equally awed by that stark beauty. We spent a good chunk of time climbing over the rocky limestone that was quite different from the rest of the greener landscape we saw more often.
Ending the day in Galway with a walking tour and a shared group meal allowed us to enjoy both city life and wild nature all in one day!
Tip for Shy Introverts
Use Technology to Connect, Not Avoid
It is far too easy to escape into our phones, especially for shy introverts. However, the camera on my phone allowed me to connect easily with both my fellow tour members and strangers along the way. The other tour members and I often took pictures of each other from angles we couldn't get ourselves. We airdropped them most of the time, but one of the tour members also made an online folder for us to share our photos.
I personally hate selfies. By offering to take photos for other people who were doing selfies, I always got an offer to take my picture in return. The larger benefit, though, was seeing the wide smiles on strangers' faces when I offered to take their photo. Working together to capture lifelong memories for each other created a communal experience instead of an individual one, regardless of where each tourist came from. Pointing a camera doesn't need a shared language, after all.
