Gaelic Explorers – starts July 2nd

Why have I become a Gaelic Explorer, you ask? Some time ago, I spit in a tube and sent it away to one of the companies that analyzes your DNA and determines from where in the world you come. (People have been asking that for ages.) I knew that some of my family came to Nova Scotia from Scotland but I had no idea how much of my DNA originated there. Pretty concentrated in this region! So I decided I ought to step foot in the land of my ancestors at least once in my life. And although I’m loath to leave my cottage in the summer, from what I’d read and heard about Scotland and Ireland, it seemed like it was a sacrifice that would make sense.

I started looking for tours of the region and was considering a small group land tour but then I saw that Windstar, my favourite small cruise ship company, had a special on their ‘Gaelic Explorer” so I jumped at it. And I was surprised and delighted when one of my sisters, Charlene, who obviously shares my DNA, decided to jump with me.

The cruise starts July 5th from Dublin, Ireland and ends in Edinburgh on the 12th. We’ll spend a couple of nights in Dublin to explore and catch up on the missed night’s sleep and 3 nights in Edinburgh to explore and complete one of my bucket list experiences.

This trip has already provided a bit of an adventure with Westjet possibly going on strike in the next couple of days and us scheduled to depart Ottawa and Comox on July 2nd. I was booked to fly on Air Canada, but Charlene was flying Westjet. So instead of sitting on the edge of our seats for the next few days, I changed the flights last night and Charlene is now flying Air Canada. The added bonus is that she will meet up with me in Montreal for the flight to Dublin.

I know you’re anticipating a detailed blog, based on previous experience, but I may disappoint you. I haven’t had a chance to do advance research and there is so much history and culture in this region that it’s a little overwhelming. I promise to at least post some pictures along the way.

So let the Gaelic exploring begin…..