After catching a bus from Kilkenny to Dublin, Ron stayed for a few more nights and we went to different pubs with our friend Christian’s parents. We love the live music that is played in traditional Irish pub!

The next day I made a HUGE decision, to CUT my HAIR! I have kept my hair for more than 1.5 years, it is time to change my look. But the main reason of doing this was to donate my hair to a charity organization to make wig hairs for cancer patients who have gone through radiotherapy or chemotherapy. I tied my hair the last time, and asked Ron to cut at the root. Later on he shaved my hair, making me look like a monk again!

The organization I helped is Little Princess Trust:

http://www.littleprincesses.org.uk/fundraising/sponsored-hair-cut/

I am so happy that I finally have the courage to do it, it is just hair they will grow again! Next time I cut my hair will not be sooner than 2016! You will see how long could them grow!

After Ron left, I had to carry on my own journey. First day I went down a bit south to Wicklow to visit a host, the ride is only 55km but the last bit going up to his house in Newtown mount Kennedy is all uphill!

I stayed 2 nights there, and his friend brought me to Glendalough where there is a very pleasant trekking route, I only went up to the lower and upper lake, the view are gorgeous! And there is a 13^th century monastic village where the houses and graveyards are still kept in a good condition!

And this is the most famous tower and landmark in Glendalough.

The upper lake on the trek in Glendalough.

My host Simon is a gardener and a daily farmer, I helped him empty the trailer full of green scraps into a field. Thanks for his hospitality, I had 2 day resting and gathering my mind of where to go next.

The whole October I was planning to spend in the UK, hoping the weather will be kind to me.

Simon gave me a lift from his place to Swords which is more north of Dublin on the way I left. It saved me almost half day of riding!

From Southern to Northern Ireland, the only thing changed is the currency. Other than that, I couldn’t see I went to a different country.

Newry is a lovely town with a river running in the center.

Camping a night behind a business building in Banbridge, I was blessed that it was such a calm and peaceful night!

The following day I rode to Belfast to meet my friend Kate, we were classmates in the yoga teacher course in India. She twisted her ankle two times during the month in Dharmasala, and I put some needles on her legs for quicker recovery. Thanks for her hospitality because that night there was a thunderstorm, the amount of rainfall that night (only 5 hours) exceed the total rainfall in September. Imagine if I was camping outside it would be so miserable. That’s why I really thanked Kate for saving me!

In Belfast, the Titanic building, that is the only interesting thing to see in the city!

During my short stay in Northern Ireland, I did a day trip to Comber, Newtownards and Bangor. From Belfast to Comber, there is a Comber Greenway which is a very well paved bike route, highly recommended!

The North Down Museum in Bangor is worth a visit, which showcase history of that area as well as an exhibition of Vikings and a collection of Hong Kong antiques.

Bangor is a fishing village, the coastal area is full of its character.

One of the famous clock tower in Bangor.

Then you could cycle back all the way along the coast to Belfast, which is quite ups and downs. I did it half way and jumped back to the main road before it was getting too dark to head back.

Dublin to Belfast  184 km

Belfast to Comber and Bangor and back  51km