The Intentional Travelers

Kissing The Blarney Stone

When you have a limited number of days to visit a country you just keep going, even when the weather turns foul. Such was the case when we traveled to Blarney Castle. Not so much cold but a good on and off drizzle. I’m still not sure what brought us to pick Blarney over a dozen other famous Irish castles but I think it was the name recognition more than anything. The bonus in picking Blarney was also going to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone but I was warned that the last thing I needed was to increase my “gift of gab”.

Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in the town of Blarney, near Cork, Ireland. The keep was built by the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty in 1446. The castle is now a partial ruin with some accessible rooms and battlements. At the top of the castle lies the Stone of Eloquence, better known as the Blarney Stone.

The entrance to the property is well laid out and there is a nice stream flowing through the estate. The gardens surrounding the property are worth a visit provided the weather is accommodating and there are also a number of interesting out buildings and exhibits.

The castle itself stands about ninety feet tall with the interior mostly gutted. Upon entering the castle you find yourself standing in the cellar and looking up through the grand hall with its floor completely missing. You can see the stone supports that used to hold the floor just below the halls fireplace with remains of the two story vaulted ceiling above that

Getting to the top of the castle where the Stone of Eloquence is located is a climb up a narrow stone spiral staircase with only enough room for one person at a time to ascend. Before you start your climb they stress that it is a one-way climb (descent is by another narrow staircase) and once you start you cannot back down, so make sure you are up to the climb.

As we ascended there were a number of small chambers off the stairs as well as defensive slits for fighting off attackers. Once we reached the top there was a pretty steady rain falling but people were still laying on their backs to stick their heads out to kiss the stone. There are two guides there helping those who want to kiss the stone. By that time I wasn’t keen on going through with kissing the stone in a pouring rain and had additional concerns that I didn’t have enough sanitizer with me considering the number of people that preceded us.

Once back down and wet we headed off to find a pub and an Irish Coffee. In the center of the town we found the Muskerry Arms – cozy, friendly and makers of great Irish Coffees.

Besides the castle the village of Blarney was home to the Blarney Woollen Mills built in 1823. In its day it was known throughout the region for spinning and weaving high quality wool. The mill closed in 1973 after which it was re-opened as an Irish heritage shop appealing to castle visitors.

TSA Security – Understanding The Rules

After The Sequined Top post we got inquiries about more info on TSA rules. Be sure and check out Immigration FastPass too.

The TSA is the United States Transportation Safety Administration and it is currently responsible for inspecting all passengers and items they intend to carry onto all commercial airliners taking off from U.S. Airports.

The official TSA guidelines state, You cannot take any objects in your hand baggage or on your person that could cause injury to yourself and other passengers.

Transportation Safety Officers (TSO) are trained, certified and authorized, in accordance with applicable TSA standards and directives, to inspect individuals, accessible property and/or checked baggage for the presence of explosives, incendiaries, weapons or other prohibited items. At a checkpoint they are the authorities as to what cannot be taken past the inspection area”

TSA Website Offers the Following Travel Checklist information:

Before Packing

Liquids, gels and aerosols packed in carry-on must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule:

The rule of thumb for liquids, gels and aerosols: You’re allowed to take as many 3.4 ounce or smaller sized containers that will fit in one sealed, clear, quart-sized zip-top bag – and one bag per person. Make life simple by packing liquids in your checked baggage. That way, you don’t have to worry about the liquids rue.

3.4 ounces or less per container
1 quart size, clear, plastic, zip top bag (all liquids must fit in bag)
1 bag per passenger

Deodorant: Flying with deodorant isn’t a sticky situation. Stick deodorant is not limited to 3.4 oz or less, but gel or spray deodorant is.

Makeup: Any liquid makeup cosmetics such as eyeliner, nail polish, liquid foundation, etc., should be placed in the baggie. That goes for perfume as well. Powder makeup is fine.

Review the prohibited items list for both carry-on and checked baggage.
If purchasing a baggage lock, be sure to look for those that are TSA recognized.
Tape a card with your name and contact information on your electronics.

When Packing

Pack items in layers (shoes one layer, clothes one layer, electronics one layer, etc.)

Not Allowed Items

Shaving Razors: In brief, all razors are allowed in checked bags. Disposable razors are allowed in carry-on bags, and safety razors with removable blades are not. Check out the blog post for pictures of razor examples and more information.

Firearms are only allowed in checked baggage and must be unloaded, placed in a locked, hard-sided container and declared to your airline.
All fireworks contain explosive materials and are not permitted in checked or carry-on baggage.
cigarette lighters. you can take a lighter on the plane. But no more than one. Confusingly, ‘you must keep the lighter on your person throughout the flight.
Pack large electronics on top layer of carry-on for screening accessibility.
Place your 3-1-1 bag with liquids, gels and aerosols in the front pocket of your carry-on for accessibility.
If traveling with a pet, be sure to bring a leash so carriers can be properly screened.
Before Leaving for the Airport. Give yourself enough time to arrive at the airport early.
Wear easily removable shoes.
Passengers with a disability or medical condition may call ahead to the TSA Cares toll free helpline at (855) 787-2227.
Before Entering the Checkpoint
Eligible passengers look for the TSA Pre✓® lane for expedited screening at participating airports.
Have your ID and boarding pass out for inspection.
In Standard Screening Lane
Remove the 3-1-1 liquids bag and place it in the bin.
Ensure pockets are empty (keys, tissues, currency, wallets, cell phones, etc.) and remove bulky jewelry (valuable items can be placed in carry-on).
Remove your shoes and place them directly on the X-ray belt.
Remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a bin with nothing placed on or under them for X-ray screening. (E.g. laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles.)
Remember to check the bins and collect all belongings after going through screening.

Screening Equipment

Metal Detectors – Before going thru remove all metal objects from your person. That should include car keys, cell phones, belt buckles and coins.

Scanners – Unlike the metal detectors you must remove everything from your pockets before going thru even non-metallic objects. They can detected small plastic pill cases and glass eye dropper bottles. They have even found a two pack of breath mints and when that happens you are going to get delayed.

How to get into the TSA fast lane.

Getting Expedited Screening

TSA Pre✓® – TSA Pre✓® allows eligible travelers to receive expedited screening. In layman’s terms, it means you get through security quickly. The average wait time in TSA Pre✓® lanes is under 5 minutes! Even if a TSA Pre✓® line looks longer, they move much faster than a standard lane with more convenience. For TSA Pre✓® travelers, there is no need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets.

TSA Pre✓® travelers (including those enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI), have access to faster TSA Pre✓® lanes at more than 200 airports when flying with participating airlines. To find the program that best suits your travel needs,

What if TSA Pre✓® Not Reflected on Boarding Pass: If you’re looking at your boarding pass and you don’t see the TSA Pre✓® indicator even though you’re an approved trusted traveler, we’re here to help! Get live assistance by tweeting @AskTSA or via Facebook Messenger. Our AskTSA team can help resolve any issues.

TSA Pre✓® and Traveling companions:

On times while traveling either my wife or I don’t get a TSA Pre✓® on our boarding pass. We have asked agents and they have, on more than one occasion, told us that if one of us is pre-cleared the other can go with them thru TSA Pre✓®. As close as we have come to confirmation on this is following notice on the Ask TSA web site:

Traveling with children: Screening is simpler for children 12 and under, so they can keep their shoes on. Read about how to best pack for your child and read how “Kids rule the airport”. Children 12 and under may also travel through the TSA Pre✓® lane if one or both of their parents have it!

Walking ‘Round Dublin

Photographic impressions from our travels near and far…

“When I die Dublin will be written in my heart.” James Joyce

Dublin is big, varied, historic and a whole lot of fun. If pub hopping is your thing you can’t do any better than this fantastic city.

If you’re looking to walk around Dublin, the good news is that it’s flat. The bad news is it’s like a maze, so bring your phone for navigation.

Top: The walk along the River Liffey.

Top right: The street in front of The Temple Bar which is a bar in the Temple Bar neighborhood which is named after a man named Temple who had a sand bar on his property.

Middle right: The Ha’Penny Bridge.

Bottom right: Downtown pedestrian shopping mall.

When Our Travel Plans Fell Apart

Spending Time Around Our Backyard It feels a bit like being put on restriction and sent to my room for a while as punishment. 2026 was planned with a number of travel itineraries, but things fell apart early on. The first being our fourth try to exploring Egypt. It seems there are several places that…

by The Intentional Traveler April 2026April 2026

Are Bloggers Victims of Social Media Algorithms?

Blogging & Are We Being Played? There’s a lot in the news lately about the social media companies manipulating our children online to keep them engaged and how much harm it may be doing. It is obvious that these entities know a great deal about human psychology and how to take advantage of people online.…

by The Intentional Traveler April 2026April 2026

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Images Of Animals In The Wild 1

Photographic impressions from our travels…

Above: A Kelp Gull flies over a colony of King Cormorants nesting in the Beagle Channel at the tip of South America.

Right: A Rock Shag, a species of cormorants, sometimes called Magellanic shags. They are rarely seen but can be encountered around the Falkland Islands. This one was photographed off Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. They nest on cliffs or steep, rocky places.

A Gentoo Penguin mother with her young chick in a rookery on the south coast of the main island in the Falklands.

A Puffin from the Shetland Islands in the North Sea.

Standing Watch Above The Rhine

People, places and captured moments selected from The Intentional Travelers photo collection. Marksburg Castle on the Rhine River Marksburg Castle, a majestic fortress located above the town of Braubach in Rhineland, Germany. This castle holds the unique distinction of being the only hilltop fortress on the Rhine that has never been captured or destroyed. Originally…

by The Intentional Traveler April 2026

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher

The History Behind The Celebration Of Easter Without question the holiest site in all of Christendom is located in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem. It represents the location where Jesus was crucified and where his body was laid to rest. Today there is a high level of certainty that the location has been actually identified.…

by The Intentional Traveler April 2026

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Hotel Arena, A Good Choice In Amsterdam

We have stayed twice at Amsterdam’s Hotel Arena. Once while it was undergoing a major remodeling and later when it was completed. The construction wasn’t a big inconvenience as the hotel worked very hard to keep things under control. Afterwards the changes were very impressive.

The hotel is in a good location for seeing the city, situated at the edge of the city center and near to Oosterpark. It is a short three block walk to a tram stop and another block or two to an active restaurant district. It is also in a historic building built in 1888. The Arena has preserved much of the original accents, like the original cast iron and marble staircase and a restored Chapel. Also, because it has adapted to the buildings original layout from the 19th century every room has a unique layout.

On the ground floor is a good restaurant and a bar that flows out onto a nice patio area. The patio bar is also popular with locals after work. We would give the hotel staff very high marks and considering that rooms were well under US$100 it is an excellent value.

We’ve stayed in two different rooms in the Arena with one being a loft and were very pleased with the space and furnishings. In both rooms there was however a disconcerting feature. The bathrooms in both were enclosed completely by glass walls. We’ve stayed in hotels from Thailand to Mexico, Argentina to Singapore and all over Europe and North America and must admit that this was a first. Getting past the bath issue we’d give the Hotel Arena four plus stars and a bonus for value.

Oosterpark

Amazing Amsterdam in the Spring

There is something disconcerting as well as liberating about the smell of marijuana smoke drifting through the outdoor café while you enjoy your morning coffee. Welcome to Amsterdam.

We were passing thru Amsterdam in the Spring and decided to stay a few days and take in the Keukenhof. We cecked into the Hotel Arena and right away picked up the public transport chip card (OV-chipkaart) for a couple of days. The card allows travel on trams, buses and metros. It’s the most convenient option for visitors and can be valid for one to seven days starting from €7.50 for one day. While the city is a great place for walking it is helpful to be able to grab a tram or bus to get you to a specific point of interest or all the way across the city.

Our plan was mostly to grab a tram in the morning to get across town and later stroll back towards the hotel. We used this thinking to start one day in the neighborhood of the Anne Frank House and another at the Van Gogh Museum. It was also helpful when we needed to get somewhere at a specific time.

Amsterdam is a beautiful city with friendly people and great public transportation. The primary mode of transportation for locals is the bicycle. They are typically nothing fancy and come in amazing configurations that include wheelbarrows in front, multiple kid seats in back and even trailers. They are parked by the hundreds in many areas and near the main train station, literally by the thousands (we have no idea how the locate their bikes in these masses of bikes).

One strong word of caution about walking this city; pay attention to the bikes! Most streets have lanes for cars and others for bicycles and than sidewalks for walking. DO NOT step toward the street without looking both ways for bicycles. Often they are traveling fast are silent and their lane is usually between the sidewalk and the road. At intersections they are between you and the crosswalk.

While there we visited the Keukenhof tulip festival gardens, and went to a cheese shop and brought back several Gouda cheeses. We strolled the flower markets and looked into buying some tulip bulbs.

Fortunately we discovered that U.S. Customs only allows you to “import” U.S. certified bulbs and when you start looking for those you discover that the choices a very limited. After we got home we found that most of those certified bulbs are readily available in the U.S. often at better prices.

There are a number of great museums and famous neighborhoods to keep you busy while visiting Amsterdam including:

The narrow canals and streets of the Jordaan lined with boutiques, pubs and fancy eateries. Stalls at the Noordermarkt square feature jewelry, clothes and antiques.

Leidseplein is an exciting nightlife hub centered on Leidseplein Square, where people are entertained by street performers and the surrounding bars and restaurants are always busy.

Museum Willet-Holthuysen the iconic windmill. The tallest wooden windmill in the country it’s octagonal in shape and was used as a flour mill in the past.

Westerkerk with its spire standing above this Renaissance-era Protestant church famous for the grave of Rembrandt. It stands only a half block from the Anne Frank House

For the more mature and adventurist tourist there is Amsterdam’s red light district. It consists of a network of alleys containing hundreds of red one-room cabins rented by prostitutes who offer their sexual services from a window, typically illuminated with red lights. Window prostitution is the most visible and typical kind of red light experience in Amsterdam and seems to draw large numbers of tourist just sightseeing.

One afternoon while walking along a residential canal with a couple of bars at the end of the block there was a sign in several languages put up by neighbors asking patrons to kindly confine the marijuana smoking away from the front of the residences as there are open windows and children inside and to try and keep the noise down after nine at night. Only in Amsterdam…

In closing we came to the opinion that this is a very easy city to like and their tolerance for the unconventional lifestyles of other people seems to work really well for them. Maybe we in America should consider the Dutch experience and ask why we tend to criminalize lifestyle choices.

A Great Reason To Visit In The Spring

Of special interest is the Keukenhof Festival in the Spring, centered on the month of April. It was originally a trade show for the Dutch tulip growers but has become a major European event drawing visitors by the hundreds of thousands.

Keukenhof as it is known today was established in 1949 by a consortium of bulb growers and flower exporters to showcase their products and help the export industry. The garden first opened to the public in 1950 and was deemed an instant hit with 20,000 visitors in its first year alone.