A review of the Shamrocker Adventure tour
April 28th 2008 03:24
In 2006 just after my trip in South America, I hopped over to Ireland to visit a friend. While she still had to work full time and I didn't know what to do with myself for the 7 days to spend in Dublin (after having seen all the sights), I decided to sign up for a 3-day Southern Rocker Tour with Shamrock Adventures, knowing this is probably the fastest way for me to get an overview of the region instead of trying to train/bus/hitchhike around.
I never really liked tours, but being a 3-dayer, I thought I might survive it. We all met early in the morning and got packed on the bus. The bus was comfortable, one of those shinny big beasts with big long ears as side mirrors. The bus wasn't full so I had two seats to myself to stretch. Not a bad start, I thought.
On the website they advertise it to be the 'real' Irish experience. I did get to see all the sights but I didn't feel I got any experience out of it except the Irish Stew and the jug of Guiness I had at a local pub in Doolin. We were pretty much rushed everyday. 10 minutes here, 15 minutes there. Make sure you are on the bus at certain times and make sure you don't go too far.
One reason I hated tours, one reason I will never do it again.
To make things worse, we had a tour guide that loved his voice more than his destinations. Just as the bus was cruising along a small road by the countryside between Dingle and Killarney, just as we were all enjoying a peaceful view of the surroundings, the microphone was suddenly yelling "Oh look!"
Thinking it was somewhere important for the tour itinerary, we paid attention.
"Three sheep just crossed the road. Aren't they lovely?"
Even his commentaries to things that were important were very text book, nothing I could have not learnt from reading up on the background sections in guide books.
At the end of the tour, I gathered from their facial expressions that most younger people loved it for the sheer social factor of yelling their heads off over yet another jug of Guiness, and most of the older (some were in their 40-50s) travellers weren't too impressed with the way the tour was planned.
Otherwise, I did love Ireland. It was beautiful, and I will certain go back. This time, I won't be touring. I'll just be taking my time getting to places I want to go and really set down to its local cultures.
Clonmacnoise
Cliffs of Moher
I never really liked tours, but being a 3-dayer, I thought I might survive it. We all met early in the morning and got packed on the bus. The bus was comfortable, one of those shinny big beasts with big long ears as side mirrors. The bus wasn't full so I had two seats to myself to stretch. Not a bad start, I thought.
On the website they advertise it to be the 'real' Irish experience. I did get to see all the sights but I didn't feel I got any experience out of it except the Irish Stew and the jug of Guiness I had at a local pub in Doolin. We were pretty much rushed everyday. 10 minutes here, 15 minutes there. Make sure you are on the bus at certain times and make sure you don't go too far.
The Killarney Town
One reason I hated tours, one reason I will never do it again.
To make things worse, we had a tour guide that loved his voice more than his destinations. Just as the bus was cruising along a small road by the countryside between Dingle and Killarney, just as we were all enjoying a peaceful view of the surroundings, the microphone was suddenly yelling "Oh look!"
Thinking it was somewhere important for the tour itinerary, we paid attention.
"Three sheep just crossed the road. Aren't they lovely?"
Even his commentaries to things that were important were very text book, nothing I could have not learnt from reading up on the background sections in guide books.
The Blarney Castle
At the end of the tour, I gathered from their facial expressions that most younger people loved it for the sheer social factor of yelling their heads off over yet another jug of Guiness, and most of the older (some were in their 40-50s) travellers weren't too impressed with the way the tour was planned.
Otherwise, I did love Ireland. It was beautiful, and I will certain go back. This time, I won't be touring. I'll just be taking my time getting to places I want to go and really set down to its local cultures.
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