Our intrepid readers have traveled the world this last year. They saw bears — the chubby ones of Fat Bear Week — at Alaska’s Brooks Falls, experienced the Northern Lights in Iceland’s Westfjords and learned to cook paella in Spain. And once they touched down back in California, they shared their tales and plenty of advice too.
Read on for the details on a Hayward couple’s recent trip to Ireland, then find more reader travel inspiration at www.mercurynews.com/tag/wish-you-were-here/.
Wish You Were Here
IRELAND: Hayward residents Mike Sweeney and María Ochoa celebrated their 32nd anniversary with a trip to Ireland. “We chose this tour because it is one of the few that includes travel in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland,” Maria says. “We were especially interested in visiting Belfast, where our group met with men who held different political perspectives during The Troubles. They now come together as presenters seeking to ensure peace in their country.
“This photo is of us at the Peace Wall, which runs 20 miles long. As you can see, there are thousands of people who have come to the wall and left their personal messages of peace and understanding. We added ours.”
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TRAVEL TIPS: “When in Belfast, schedule a Black Taxi tour of the sectarian neighborhoods. The drivers grew up in the area and are knowledgable about its history. They all have the gift of storytelling and are informative and entertaining. You will see historic sites as well as locations that have personal meaning to the cabbies. It’s a sad history, but one that needs to be told in the name of enduring peace in the region.”
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