Cork's Fota Wildlife Park

Another place in Cork that I probably wouldn't go if J didn't ask me to..

Fota Wildlife Park

Opens everyday 10am - 6pm (with 4:30pm as last entry)

Price: €16.50 for adults (€12 for students)

Butterfly sanctuary.. I think this photo was an attempt to take a shot on the butterflies but there were no where to be seen. Tells a lot about my photography skills.

Such a gloomy day. It kind of drizzled on off throughout the day

Didn't actually get to take any with ?kangaroos - what are those actually? Excuse me with my limited knowledge on the animal kingdom species :S

Thank god we brought an umbrella. Cork's weather is always unpredictable.

We took a taxi there, but we rode the train back.

We spent nearly the whole afternoon at Fota. The red pandas were hiding so we didn't get to see them at all. It was raining for half of the day, so most animals were hiding xD

With the taxi, you would reach Fota's entrance but it costs a lot more. I think J paid for nearly €20? Taxi takes about 25-30 minutes, depending on traffic. 

Using the train/Irish rail, Cork Kent station to Fota station costs €2.70 for a single ticket. However, Cork Kent station is an hour walk from where we stayed.. Alternatively, we could use the bus to Cork city centre and then another bus to kent station again, which would take about 50 minutes in total? 

Cork's public transport isn't the greatest. It reminds me so much of Brunei, where most of the people travel by their own car. 

Despite the bad weather and lack of attractions, I still enjoy the accompany (:

Picnic at Nohoval Cove

Summer picnic at Nohoval cove~

ZH has always wanted to do a picnic & we finally got to do it during summer!!
We woke up at 4:30am to prepare all the food! Was worried that it would rain but thankfully, it didn't! Reached Nohoval cove at 6am.

Our picnic menu:

Sweet potato brownies

Chocolate chip cookies

Nutty banana skinny muffins

Tuna egg sandwiches with Ballymaloe relish

Luncheon meat sushi

Pineapple & strawberries

Cherry tomatoes

Watermelon juice

Hilly pathway to reach to the peak. Amazing view tho.

It drizzled soon after we left nohoval cove. It's such a pretty place & I would definitely put it as a place to visit in Cork! It's rather inaccessible though. Wouldn't been there if it's not for ZH. Takes us 30 minutes to reach by car. 

It was a great break from our usual electives & final year research project. 

Thanks ZH for driving A & myself!! (:

Blarney Castle @ Cork

Blarney Castle is known to be one of the must visit places in Cork. Finally had a chance to visit it last year...Probably wouldn't have visited this place if J didn't ask me to..

Besides the castle, there are several other attractions such as the poison garden, 'wishing steps' and gardens. We went during spring so the flowers were just starting to bloom. 

Entrance fee: €14 for students, €16 for adults & €8 for children (8-16yo)

* do bring your student ID to be entitled for the student discount *

Opening hours & special offers are available here.

How to reach there?

The most economical way is to use bus. There's no direct bus to reach Blarney Castle. From Cork city centre, take the 215 bus (nearest station for me was Grand Parade City Library/bus stops in front of Deep South pub) and stop at Blarney Village (Woolen Mills) - the stop is approximately 3-5 mins walk to the blarney castle gate. 

From where I stayed, I had to take another bus to the city centre. Alternative, one could walk for 30-45 minutes (which is what I usually do to save money :p) 

Kissing the blarney stone is the highlight of the whole trip. It's said that whoever kissed the stone would have the gift of eloquence. ((: 

To be honest, I think it's quite dangerous as you need to lie down & bend your head to kiss the stone. Definitely unsuitable for elderlies and children! 

Probably unhygienic as well, if you think about the number of tourists who've kissed the stone before..

Gelato after the half day tour

Dinner at Elbow lane