Ottsworld Travel and Life Experiences

06/04/2026

Here's something you probably didn't know about the Irish...they have a crazy parking culture...and no road rage. 🤷

06/02/2026

We spent our last day on tour at a very seldom seen island- Tory Island. A 40 min 'fast boat' ride from mainland lies a quirky island with 130 residents, a lighthouse, occasional Puffins, a King, and an ancient Tau cross.

They haven't renamed a King recently- but we still felt like Royalty visiting the island that doesn't get many visitors! It was our last hike on the Donegal trip and of course we had bright sun all day!

A favorite site of mine was the mobile homes that were bricked up around the outside to give it stability...like a super tough outer shell!

06/01/2026

Another great hike...and so different from anything we have done so far in Donegal! We hiked across the sand dunes and out to the beach this afternoon! It was a typical Ireland beach...blustery and beautiful!

06/01/2026

05/31/2026

Molokai was my 6th and final island of the Hawaiian Island chain to visit, and I was already in love with it based on this description alone. I had heard so much about Molokai being untouched by tourism and how slow and normal it was that I was tingly excited as I made the short plane ride over to this agriculture-rich island.

Don't travel to Molokai Hawaii unless you are ready to slow down, soak up the sun, culture, and stories. When you do - it will reward you!

05/30/2026

We hiked to a Napoleonic-era signal tower on Hornhead in Donegal. Created in the nineteenth century as a communication system implemented in response to the threat of a French invasion of Ireland.

Or in our case...just a cool place to hike to with incredible views!

05/29/2026

Glenveagh National Park was our Donegal adventure today! This beautiful park is not just about hiking, there is also a castle and stunning gardens you can visit. And it's all located next to a beautiful lake!
It was so fun to hike 6 miles in from the back side of the park- so quiet and few people!

05/28/2026

The Old Church of Dunlewey: a  sanctuary steeped in Irish heritage and mystique.

The ruins of the church are nestled in the valley between Mount Errigal and the Poison Valley, an area of stunning beauty with a long history.  The Poisoned Valley owes its name to the former presence of the highly toxic Irish Spurge Moss. It is rumored that the plant poisoned the drinking water and the livestock.  Thankfully, the moss is now extinct. There are a few other folklore stories about the valley - who knows where the truth lies. :)

The church is a lasting memorial to a great love affair between James Russell, the landlord of the Dunlewey estate, and his wife, Jane.  She built it for him after he died.

For me - the Dunlewey church ruins were a treat to photograph!  So many incredible angles and landscapes.  I could've stayed a few hours just photographing it - but we only had a short time as we were on our way to another hiking day!

05/26/2026

We summitted Mount Errigal today! Donegal's highest peak is over 2,400 ft. It was a challenging climb with some pretty steep sections. And of course when we got to the top...it was covered in clouds ☁️☁️☁️☁️. But that didn't stop our joy!

One of my favorite things about running tours is challenging people to push themselves a little further than they do themselves. Push physically and culturally - travel is the perfect vehicle to provide challenges. And people go home more confident ...that's the real gift .

The last picture is of Mount Errigal on a sunny day...