Take a Vacation

[BigFatMeanie]

Napali coast sail. We preferred the morning snorkel sail by Capn Andy’s from the south side.

Puke Dog, near Poipu beach in Poipu. Lots of other good places to eat up and down the island, but Puka Dog is what we look forward to. Pacos Tacos were also very good.

Lots of great beaches. up north, Tunnels, Hanalei, Anini. if you have kids, jumping off the pier at Hanalei was a lot of fun.
East side Kealia was fun with bigger waves. South side Poipu, Brennecke beach for boogie boards, and Lawai for snorkeling.

If you stay on the south side, sunsets on the southwest side at Polihole state park are amazing. The Grand Canyon is cool to see once.

Agreed--I assume your Grand Canyon reference is to Waimea Canyon, often referred to as The Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Fantastic view from the lookout. Also, it's a guilty pleasure be we always enjoy Chicken In A Barrel, roadside stands (one in Kapaa and one in Hanalei, I believe) that cook up very tender chicken in 55-gallon drums.

Staying on the south at Koloa Landing (Poipu). I’ll put Puke Dog and Pacos on my list and I definitely want to try the barrel chicken.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Ha, I feel your pain. I drive throughout Scotland and the lanes are definitely narrower than in the states. MJ would remind me often about how close I was to the edge of the road (usually with no shoulder) and I would just answer back that I was also just barely missing the side view mirrors of the oncoming traffic. I learned to appreciate the one lane roads which weren’t much narrower than the two lane roads.

I loved the photos you (your wife actually) shared on FB. We visiting many of the same places in Scotland back in 2018 or 2019 and had an amazing time. We drove 1200 miles in a little rental car. I was blown away by how much of Scotland has just single lane roads. Not single lane in each direction, but a single lane.

[Northwestcoug]

If you have time to explore while you are in the work portion, I would recommend a car rental for the entire stay. Intercity rail is somewhat limited in Ireland (compared to the rest of europe) and it definitely doesn't get you directly to some of the more beautiful sites you might consider in the southwest. For the portion of the trip where you definitely will have a car, off the top of my head driving the Ring of Kerry and staying in Dingle would be on the top of my list.

Great Skellig (the island to which Luke Skywalker self-banished in the star wars sequel trilogy) is also near and gorgeous, but I think you need reservations in advance. You really can't go wrong anywhere on the coast in the southwest and the Ring of Kerry us up there with the most beautiful places I have ever driven.

On the wrong side of the road thing: Im not gonna lie, Ireland is one of the harder places to be baptized into wrong side driving. In particular the country roads are super narrow and often have you pushed against a rock wall when passing traffic going the opposite direction. That being said you will get the hang of it quickly. Just dont speed and watch blind turns/hills. People walk out on those narrow roads and im not sure how they dont just have fatalities every day from traffic. Also spring for the automatic. You dont want to mess with a clutch when you are trying to re-learn how to turn left.

Yes, absolutely stay in Dingle and have a car. It’s a good base point for a few excursions.

We only skirted the Ring of Kerry. We opted to spend a day on Slea Head Drive, which is spectacular. I highly recommend driving up Moll’s Gap in the late afternoon. That’s a drive away from Dingle into Killarney National Park, but it was one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland we saw.

[Moliere]

I cheaped out and got the manual right-hand drive rental. For the first several days, I drove in areas with what I considered pretty narrow roads with rock walls to the left.

There was definitely a learning curve and some stress, especially as my wife, in the passenger seat, repeatedly warned me of how close I was to the rock wall. I would remind her that there was oncoming traffic on the right-hand side of the car and that, if I had to hit something, I'd rather it be the rock wall.

In the end, I didn't hit anything or anyone (as far as I know) and it was pretty fun driving the manual transmission, especially in the Cotswolds.

Ha, I feel your pain. I drive throughout Scotland and the lanes are definitely narrower than in the states. MJ would remind me often about how close I was to the edge of the road (usually with no shoulder) and I would just answer back that I was also just barely missing the side view mirrors of the oncoming traffic. I learned to appreciate the one lane roads which weren’t much narrower than the two lane roads.

[Omaha 680]

Standing in the gas chamber disguised as a shower room in Dachau is one of the most powerful experiences I have ever had. It was similar in intensity to what I felt on Omaha Beach and on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg. It seems one can phycally feel the significance of a place where so many souls perished. Dachau was similar in intensity but different because it was a place of mass murder not a place of armed struggle. My wife was overcome and had to leave the room. I had the opposite reaction. I felt compelled to stay longer, as if I needed to somehow witness.

[Pelado]

If you have time to explore while you are in the work portion, I would recommend a car rental for the entire stay. Intercity rail is somewhat limited in Ireland (compared to the rest of europe) and it definitely doesn't get you directly to some of the more beautiful sites you might consider in the southwest. For the portion of the trip where you definitely will have a car, off the top of my head driving the Ring of Kerry and staying in Dingle would be on the top of my list.

Great Skellig (the island to which Luke Skywalker self-banished in the star wars sequel trilogy) is also near and gorgeous, but I think you need reservations in advance. You really can't go wrong anywhere on the coast in the southwest and the Ring of Kerry us up there with the most beautiful places I have ever driven.

On the wrong side of the road thing: Im not gonna lie, Ireland is one of the harder places to be baptized into wrong side driving. In particular the country roads are super narrow and often have you pushed against a rock wall when passing traffic going the opposite direction. That being said you will get the hang of it quickly. Just dont speed and watch blind turns/hills. People walk out on those narrow roads and im not sure how they dont just have fatalities every day from traffic. Also spring for the automatic. You dont want to mess with a clutch when you are trying to re-learn how to turn left.

I cheaped out and got the manual right-hand drive rental. For the first several days, I drove in areas with what I considered pretty narrow roads with rock walls to the left.

There was definitely a learning curve and some stress, especially as my wife, in the passenger seat, repeatedly warned me of how close I was to the rock wall. I would remind her that there was oncoming traffic on the right-hand side of the car and that, if I had to hit something, I'd rather it be the rock wall.

In the end, I didn't hit anything or anyone (as far as I know) and it was pretty fun driving the manual transmission, especially in the Cotswolds.

[Omaha 680]

Mid-september, for work, I am going to Ireland. My wife is joining me. We have never been to Ireland. We will be in the southwest around Clonmel, Waterford and not too far from Cork. After I spend several days meeting my work commitments, we will pick up a car just outside Limerick and have three days to wander before heading back to Dublin for our flight home:

1. While in and around Clonmel, Waterford and Cork area we will only have access to public transit to get around.
2. When we have the car (I admit to being nervous driving for the first time on the opposite side of the road), we are interested in driving the Wild Atlantic Way.

Any must sees in that part of the world?

If you have time to explore while you are in the work portion, I would recommend a car rental for the entire stay. Intercity rail is somewhat limited in Ireland (compared to the rest of europe) and it definitely doesn't get you directly to some of the more beautiful sites you might consider in the southwest. For the portion of the trip where you definitely will have a car, off the top of my head driving the Ring of Kerry and staying in Dingle would be on the top of my list.

Great Skellig (the island to which Luke Skywalker self-banished in the star wars sequel trilogy) is also near and gorgeous, but I think you need reservations in advance. You really can't go wrong anywhere on the coast in the southwest and the Ring of Kerry us up there with the most beautiful places I have ever driven.

On the wrong side of the road thing: Im not gonna lie, Ireland is one of the harder places to be baptized into wrong side driving. In particular the country roads are super narrow and often have you pushed against a rock wall when passing traffic going the opposite direction. That being said you will get the hang of it quickly. Just dont speed and watch blind turns/hills. People walk out on those narrow roads and im not sure how they dont just have fatalities every day from traffic. Also spring for the automatic. You dont want to mess with a clutch when you are trying to re-learn how to turn left.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Napali coast sail. We preferred the morning. Snorkel sail by Capn Andy’s from the south side.

Puke Dog, near Poipu beach in Poipu. Lots of other good places to eat up and down the island, but Puka Dog is what we look forward to. Pacos Tacos were also very good.

Lots of great beaches. up north, Tunnels, Hanalei, Anini. if you have kids, jumping off the pier at Hanalei was a lot of fun.
East side Kealia was fun with bigger waves. South side Poipu, Brennecke beach for boogie boards, and Lawai for snorkeling.

If you stay on the south side, sunsets on the southwest side at Polihole state park are amazing. The Grand Canyon is cool to see once.

Agreed--I assume your Grand Canyon reference is to Waimea Canyon, often referred to as The Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Fantastic view from the lookout. Also, it's a guilty pleasure be we always enjoy Chicken In A Barrel, roadside stands (one in Kapaa and one in Hanalei, I believe) that cook up very tender chicken in 55-gallon drums.

[chrisrenrut]

Kauai end of September for 7 days. Anyone have any personal faves (food, activity, beaches, sights) they want to recommend?

Napali coast sail. We preferred the morning snorkel sail by Capn Andy’s from the south side.

Puke Dog, near Poipu beach in Poipu. Lots of other good places to eat up and down the island, but Puka Dog is what we look forward to. Pacos Tacos were also very good.

Lots of great beaches. up north, Tunnels, Hanalei, Anini. if you have kids, jumping off the pier at Hanalei was a lot of fun.
East side Kealia was fun with bigger waves. South side Poipu, Brennecke beach for boogie boards, and Lawai for snorkeling.

If you stay on the south side, sunsets on the southwest side at Polihole state park are amazing. The Grand Canyon is cool to see once.

[BigFatMeanie]

Kauai end of September for 7 days. Anyone have any personal faves (food, activity, beaches, sights) they want to recommend?

[tooblue]

Mid-september, for work, I am going to Ireland. My wife is joining me. We have never been to Ireland. We will be in the southwest around Clonmel, Waterford and not too far from Cork. After I spend several days meeting my work commitments, we will pick up a car just outside Limerick and have three days to wander before heading back to Dublin for our flight home:

1. While in and around Clonmel, Waterford and Cork area we will only have access to public transit to get around.
2. When we have the car (I admit to being nervous driving for the first time on the opposite side of the road), we are interested in driving the Wild Atlantic Way.

Any must sees in that part of the world?

[Jeff Lebowski]

That looks amazing

[tooblue]

Panzerotto? I've never been to Milan, but that's what Lens is telling me. Do tell.

For lack of a better description, they are hot pockets—unbelievably tasty, and addicting hot pockets deep-fried and filled with cheese and ham, or sausage. The line up to get them at Luinni's in Milan can sometimes be around the corner. The little shop has since moved to a system where they make them in advance, but they sell so quickly they are still fresh as if right out of the deep fryer.

[Copelius]

I feel sorry for you. I listened to one aria from it out of curiosity. I don't know that I could sit through the whole 90 minutes. Enjoy the ambiance of the theater.

[Omaha 680]

I’ve been to lots but have never seen that one. It’s a modern opera and my experience with modern operas has been, sadly, disappointing. I hope you at least have a fun night out and I would urge you not to judge the genre of opera by this one experience.

Yeah I figured. As PAC predicted there are several performances the two days we are there due to the festival. But I really wanted to go to the Von Trapp theater and this opera was the only performance there that overlapped our stay.