Ireland — The Magick Isle
A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
All photos by Indochine Photography
If you read my photographic synopsis OUR EXCEPTIONAL JOURNEY — also known as World Trek — Part I, you know that we are two brothers, retired, single and free, who carry everything we own in backpacks. We have been traveling the world for six years. Our Exceptional Journey covered our extensive slo-travel adventures in Mexico, Cuba, Central and South America. Steve is a photographer who captures beautifully the essence of the people and places we’ve seen while on the road. I write novels, but I also summarize our experiences in brief articles such as this. In reality, the photos tell the tale.
World Trek — Part II begins in Iceland. Obvious from the evocative photograph above, Iceland is beautiful. But Ireland is magical, and we began our three-month stay in the southern Irish Republic, in the historically entrancing town of Dublin. In our third month, we moved north to Belfast, always keeping the magic with us.
The Capital of Ireland proudly presents the crowning glories of its early religious occupation — dramatic and astonishing Catholic cathedrals. We passed by this most impressive church every day of our delightful stay.
Central Dublin is transected by a tidal river, thus necessitating a lot of bridges both historical and charming. We spent much of our walkabout time just passing over, to put it magically.
And pubs. We cannot forget the pubs. A pint of Guinness goes a long way toward restoring faith in unseen worlds.
But Ireland’s true claim to magical fame has to be its glens, sanctuaries, and old castles. While standing in the presence of magnificent ruins or lush fairy lands, one becomes keenly aware of those invisible worlds penetrating ours. Your voice becomes hushed, and your ears attune themselves to hearing whispered secrets murmured and mythical histories shared.
More charming than the city sights, however, are those little Irish villages that sparsely dot the countryside. We experienced the distinct pleasure of inhabiting one such tiny village for 3 weeks during off-season, meaning we pretty much had the whole town to ourselves. We also had the local castle ruins to enjoy in solitary splendor, and the atmospheric harbor to explore alone.
And always, during the long and wandering bus rides of our day trips, we gazed upon the magnificently beautiful Irish landscapes with unmatched wonder.
Most of all, Ireland is dramatic. Land of deep emotions and hearty humor. The people are forever friendly and constantly amused. In the midst of all this grandeur, they somehow keep their poise and self-reflecting humor.
Listen carefully, however. The grandness of Ireland is held in every scene.
As is the magic.
We call ourselves the Muppet Brothers. We are traveling the world. Everything we own is in our backpacks, and we travel really slow.
I write.
Steve shoots pictures.
