Ryan and I arrived in Galway in the early evening just as the sun peeked out from behind the clouds.
We were able to make a last-minute reservation at the Sea Breeze Lodge, a bed and breakfast a few of you recommended to me, and were greeted by Freddy, the friendly owner who is clearly madly in love with the city of Galway!
His enthusiasm for the fun city is absolutely contagious and hearing him talk about Galway’s fabulous art and music scene made us all the more excited for our time there.
Unfortunately within about 20 minutes of our arrival, I found myself throwing up in the bathroom. The all-day nausea that followed me to the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin Cave finally got the best of me. Yuck.
The good news is that once I threw up, I felt 10,000 times better. I still struggled with on-and-off nausea for the next day or so, but by Wednesday I felt 100 percent like myself again. I was so grateful for the salty crackers and cheese that Freddy kept stocked in the mini fridge in our room and ate all of them along with an apple right before we showered and headed out to explore.
Speaking of showers, Ryan and I were quite enamored with the shower in our room.
You just walked right in and it seemed like the shower was just and extension of the bathroom floor. Very neat!
We actually complimented Freddy numerous times on the attention to detail he clearly pours into running his bed and breakfast. The rooms are stunning with rich wood floors (I would love to have wood floors just like them in my house one day!) and gorgeous skylights that let the natural sunlight in during the day.
After a hot shower, Ryan and I drove the short distance into the heart of the city and walked around, meandering in and out of the various shops that lined the streets.
Galway was bustling with energy even in the cold, dreary weather and Ryan and I wished we planned more time there because there was clearly a lot to see and do! We passed by a bunch of pubs and heard lots of traditional Irish music coming from inside, but my stomach wasn’t in the mood for a pint or any kind of alcohol at that point. We popped in and listened to the music for a bit, which was still a lot of fun!
Though the jewelry and warm clothing we saw in the shops as we walked around the city before dinner was definitely fun to look at, the only thing I ended up buying was a box of gingers chews to help with my nausea.
So pathetic!
Even though it was cold, it felt good to walk around in the fresh air and people watch. Galway seems like a young and vibrant city and I’m already itching to go back. Ryan and I both said that after our visit to Ireland, we feel like we could plan a second trip with greater ease and know where we’d want to spend more time and Galway is absolutely one of those places.
Once it was time for dinner, we walked into High Cafe and were able to grab a table without a problem, which ended up being a blessing because the restaurant filled up fast!
Since my appetite still wasn’t back to normal, I wasn’t very hungry and decided to order the tuna nicoise salad.
I wasn’t in love with this salad (as you can tell by my awkward smile below) but managed to eat most of it.
Luckily Ryan’s dish was much better. He ordered a Moroccan dish that was full of flavor!
He also shared his warm bread with me and I happily ate several pieces. It was my favorite part of the meal!
We ended up spending the rest of our evening in Galway popping in and out of the shops and pubs on the streets before I felt like I was going to fall asleep on my feet. I slept like a rock that night and finally started to feel better the next day. Thank goodness!
Next up: Dublin!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I can’t believe you found those ginger chews there, I buy them all the time here! HAha I love them! And what a beautiful room you all stayed in, that shower looks very cool!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
That room is gorgeous! I can’t believe you were brave enough to order tuna after being sick. I think that would have pushed me over the edge haha! 😉
Linz @ Itz Linz says
Glad you’re feeling better. What pretty views & a gorgeous room!
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
Aw, that really stinks 🙁 Being sick on vacation is the worst. Being sick ever is the worst! Hopefully the ginger helped!
Ashley @ Eat Run Live Happy says
That room looks awesome! I can’t lie… the salad doesn’t look like something I’d go for either. At least you got to try something new right?
Nicole @ Fruit 'N' Fitness says
Glad your feeling better, being sick is awful especially on vacation
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Bummer that you still weren’t feeling well – hopefully it’s just jet lag?
Katie says
Glad you started to feel better! I love ginger snacks!! (And am I gross to say that I actually think that salad looks really good? But I could see looking good and tasting good not equaling up). 🙂
Megan says
I am loving your photos. Thank you for your detailed accounts of your travels – love it! We’re heading to Ireland in May. Stay warm there – it looks cold! I’m in Germany (American stationed here with military) and I saw snow flakes falling this Easter Sunday. Hope your nausea dissipates.
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats says
Hope those ginger chews helped you and you are feeling all better now.
Fresh ginger chopped up and placed in a tea cup of boiling water can also really help with nausea too. But hopefully you won’t need another remedy.
May says
Nausea, vomiting, and now ginger chews…. Sounds like someone may be pregnant! How exciting would that be! 🙂
Reader says
If she’s pregnant, she’s doing a TERRIBLE job at hiding it with all the nausea, vomiting, ginger comments…
Katie says
I’m sure she would tell us in her own time if and when she is pregnant…
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
Not pregnant! 🙂
Laura @ Live, Run Sparkle says
Sounds like you’re having a great trip! I’m sorry you haven’t been feeling well, hopefully you can enjoy the rest of your trip without nausea. I went to Thailand last fall and I drank coconut milk straight out of a coconut and I have never been so sick in my life. Sometimes different countries just get to you with the different food and water. Feel better!
Avery @ Southern Belle Living Well says
I’m sorry you’ve felt so bad! I hope you’re feeling better 🙂 Galway looks like such a fun little town to visit and walk around in. In my opinion, it’s places like these that are the most fun to vacation. New York and LA are very exciting, but I like the more home-y type areas. Enjoy Easter!
Sarah@Making Thyme for Health says
What a nice b&b! And I can see why you wouldn’t like the salad, it looks kind of bleh. Hopefully you are feeling better now!
Cori @ olivetorun says
Sorry you were having a rough time for a bit there. I’m glad things are looking up and you’re feeling better!!
Jan says
So sorry that you’re sick. Hope you’re feeling better for the rest of your trip.
Rachel @ Undercover Diva: A Sitcom says
Those wood floors in the first picture look like my wood floors in my condo 😉 Happy to hear that you are feeling better! Enjoy the rest of your trip 😀
Tricia says
that happened to me too – we did the opposite started in Galway down around and ended in Dublin. I felt so dizzy and sick and still tried to rally to the book of kells. Bad idea i got sick in the quad in Trinity college. SO EMBARRASSED! spent the whole first night at the hotel. I think it was the ton of driving, and the different kinds of food my body wasn’t used too, and a couple pints everyday for 10 days. Now I don’t feel so alone!!!!
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
Glad your sickness passed!
Galway looks so cute! When I think of Galway I always think of Gerard Butler singing “Galway Girl” in P.S I Love You — anyone else do that?? 🙂
Sarah says
I’ve lived in Dublin all my life and am currently attending Trinity College! If you want any tips or suggestions let me know 🙂 Us students get to bring guests in to see the Book of Kells for free, so if you are interested in that let me know, if I’m in town I would be happy to meet you 🙂
Shannon @ Skinny Sometimes.com says
Being sick on vacation is the pits, but I’m glad you’re making the best of it!
Sonja @ The {Happy} Travel Bug says
I’ve seen tuna nicoise salad on several European menus. Wonder what their love of it is, because I didn’t like it much either. So glad your sickness didn’t last too long. 🙂
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Ick!! Being sick on vacation is just no good! I am glad to hear that you are feeling all better now, though!
And that bread? Wow, that looks amazing. I can see why it would be your favorite part of your meal!
Michelle@Peachy Palate says
Galway is on of my favourite cities in the country! Glad you liked it! If you’re not yet in Dublin or still have time to go out go to Chameleon for dinner!!
Britt @ Fit Fit Britt Britt says
Being sick on a trip is no fun… Especially when there’s lots of driving! Glad that you are feeling better!
Amy Evans says
Hope you are feeling better…I was thinking morning sickness (all day) too!
AJ says
So sorry to hear that you have been sick on your vacation. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but any chance it could be morning sickness?! Sorry…maybe too personal.
Anyway, hope you feel better! And that B&B is the most modern, spacious, beautiful room I’ve ever seen for a B&B! How awesome!!
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.blogspot.com
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
It was alllllllll day sickness 🙂
Miranda @ Miranda Runs says
That’s such a gorgeous room! Glad you’re feeling better! 🙂
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Sorry to hear you weren’t feeling so good, Julie. I once bought those Ginger Chews by the Ginger People when I had a stomach ache, and they are now easily my favourite sweet! I have to buy the hard ones (yellow box) because I go through the soft chews way, way too fast! I’m going to go and catch up on the rest of your Ireland posts now – sorry I’ve been a bad blog reader lately!
Sloane @ Life Food and Beer says
I’ve learned, as a woman, you can’t be sick without everyone thinking you’re pregnant.
Emily says
Glad you started feeling better- I always get sick on vacation as well! It’s great that you’re having an awesome time regardless 🙂
Kaitlyn says
I am living vicariously through you! I have a love for Irish culture and hope to visit there one of these days. Looks beautiful and like an absolute blast, especially all of the authentic Irish pubs!
Beth Sheridan says
That Sea Breeze Lodge is stunning…I think I could spend a long time exploring that city and staying there!
Bek @ Crave says
Hope you aren’t preggaz 😉 Haha, but really that’s a shame and hopefully didn’t ruin the trip to much- sometimes it can just be a case of adjusting to the different culture. Thanks for all the fab updates!
Sarah M says
I love the first picture of a cloudy sky and little sunlight since it looks very dreamy. The shower room and bathroom look very neat and romantic. And the dishes, which are included in the post, look very yummy and appetizing. The salad looks very healthy to eat since it has different vegetables. I hope I could visit Galway someday.
Clare M says
We always used to go to Galway on holidays when we were kids. Stayed in holiday cottages in a little place called Spiddal. Lovely place, although I prefer Dublin.
Jill @ a Girl in Progress says
Galway looks so fun! My sister-in-law studied there for a semester abroad and had the most fabulous time. I’ll have to visit there for sure next time we head back to Europe!
Lee says
Hi
Glad you did not let the sickness get you down. The salad I must say did not look the best maybe that is what the Irish are used to getting in their salad. So they do not expect to much. A friend of mine made me laugh when he spoke to the locals when he went they said the weather is good what ever the weather when it is not raining. Probably not that funny but made me smile. I love the sign I will have to remember that one it is so true.
Great post thanks lee
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