Glendalough Monastic City
We stopped by the Glendalough Monastic settlement. It is south of Bray less than an hour.
It is an old Christian settlement. Ancient from 6th century.
Author: Roger
Dunguaire Castle, Ireland 2009
Visiting the west coast of Ireland from Bray (on the east) was almost a 3 hour drive.
We visited a few things out that way and one of the things that is hard not to see in Ireland are Castles.
Dunguaire Castle was on the way and I had to see it.
Rock Fences Ireland 2009
As we were driving throughout Ireland, I noticed that rural areas had many rock fences.
I was simply amazed and when I saw an older gentleman building one, I stopped and asked him.
He probably was weirded out by it, but he could tell I am OBVIOUSLY not from Ireland.
Nonetheless, it is really interesting to see people use their natural and local resources to make something.
Wandering Leopard Japan 2016
When I decided to go to Japan, I wanted to meet my friends and see as much as possible, focused car and Japanese culture. The culmination would lead to the 31st Anniversary Leopard meeting in Hakone.
I say pilgrimage because Tanaka san (Kazuho) told me last year that this is the 31st year of the release of F31 Leopard.
1986-2017= 31 years.
So I said I wanted to make in symbolic by including any 31 cars. R31 Skyline, A31 Cefiro, Z31 Fairlady, Y31 Gloria, Cima, or Cedric and F31 leopards. Kuze san then told me that Carshop Friend (Leopard shop) would be holding the 31st Nissan Leopard meeting, parade and cruise in Hakone.
My dry sense of humor called this Wandering Leopard Pilgrimage
Wandering – since I would be traveling Japan to different areas for 9 days.
Leopard – While I did base this on meeting Leopard owners, it wasn’t exclusive.
Pilgrimage – the journey to and within Japan.
Do you know MMA fighter Enson Inoue? In 2013, he walked across Japan for charity and to raise awareness of the Fukushima tragedy.
This was very inspiring to me and it partially influenced the idea of moving across Japan. Obviously, my journey was more personal and not as important as Enson’s mission.
So I started to plan:
Planning of Wandering Leopard
While I focused on meeting my friends as a priority, secondary would be checking out shops, shopping and visiting shrines.
Sunday – Arrival in Japan and to Takamatsu
Monday – Okayama, Hiroshima, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi and back to Hiroshima
Tuesday – Hiroshima, Osaka and Shiga
Wednesday – Gifu, Nagoya and Sendai
Saturday – Yokohama and Daikoku Futo
Sunday – Hakone to 31st Leopard meeting
Monday morning Japan – Leopard cruise to Mishima Skywalk Bridge
Monday afternoon – America
Wicklow Gap, Ireland 2009
We were going through the Wicklow mountains and the road in between is referred to as the Wicklow Gap.
Gorgeous place to take pictures. Goats and sheep would cross the roads by the hundreds, so at times you would have to wait til they all moved.
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland 2009
I was amazed to see the Cliffs of Moher. It is pretty cool and scary to be on the edge of these cliffs. It was super windy that day, but again, it is majestic. Our family lived in Bray, which is south of Dublin on the East of Ireland.
Cliffs of Moher are on the west. We drove the Opel Zafira. It was a 4hr ride on the M7 highway.
A day in Dublin 2009
We left Bray and jumped on a Double Decker bus towards Dublin. I was kinda excited because Ireland has been pretty much country and rural (which is gorgeous and scenic), but I really wanted to see Dublin.
The Spire of Dublin 2009
When we finally spent a day in Dublin, one of the things you will see is the Spire of Dublin or Monument of Light. Its a really tall Steel Spike. When I arrived to it, some of the local people there had inappropriate names for it LOL. None of my business. It is pretty nice though and I took pictures of it from a distance to upclose.
Dunluce Castle, Northern Ireland 2009
After leaving Giant’s Causeway, we made a quick stop by Dunluce Castle. Took a few pictures and enjoyed the historic site.
Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland 2009
Giant’s Causeway are natural volcanic stone columns. Located in Northern Ireland, it is amazing to see in person.
When we went, it was overcast, so we didn’t think we were gonna have a good time. The sun broke through and it made for some great photos.
The rock formations, the hills, the sun, the clouds and ocean… it was pretty cool to see in person.
Just like the drive to Cliffs of Moher, it was a good 4hr drive.
