The Wild Wild West
Stay-cations are the new norm for 2020 and what better place to holiday, than locally in Ireland. Our land is beautiful, savage, wild and free and we are blessed with it.
If you, like many others have been scrambling to book summer holidays why not try a series of mini stay-cations, day retreats or those outdoor activities that you’ve always meant to do.
My current favourite spot is the South West of Ireland, West Cork and further along into Kerry. I know I am slightly biased as I am from Cork but going West always makes me feel alive. The official name is the ‘Wild Atlantic Way' but I like to call it the Wild Wild West. Its a land so beautiful and savage it feels like it could never be tamed and I love that. The locals also have that slightly wild energy which in infectious in the best possibly way.
Recently, I took a mini day retreat down to Ballydonegan Pier in Allihies to partake in the Wild Atlantic Seaweed Baths. I had been meaning to immerse myself in warm water and seaweed for the longest time. Having bought one of their vouchers last year, I finally got to renew it and it didn’t disappoint!
The atmosphere was relaxed, the evening was clear and brisk, the old wooden barrel was perfectly positioned on the pier for optimal viewing of the scenery. The fresh sea water was heated and then a bucket of seaweed was thrown in on top! It was an incredibly relaxing experience, we soaked away our stress and revived our weary bodies while taking in the fresh air and natural scenery. Nature is the best artist, I never get bored of her work.
And, if you want soft silky skin and/or possibly help to relieve any skin ailments, I recommend giving this a shot. The seaweed secretes a sort of jellylike substance that moisturises skin like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
The session is an hour long and you can leave your bath anytime and throw yourself off the pier into possibly the best, albeit cold, sea water in the world. Alternating between the cold and warm water all while outdoors will blast through any stale energy or lingering stress, leaving you feeling lighter and more energetic plus you’ll sleep like a baby afterwards!
I’ve never swam in water as pure as this, it was glorious and worth the long trip down to the edge of the earth. If you like to live wild and free, then the Wild Wild West is for you no matter what you do.
(I’ll be doing more research and writing on retreats and stay-cations as the summer continues!)
Thank you for reading. May you live wild and free.
Love,
Hilary x
Disclosure: This is not an ad and I have not received any gratuity or freebies for writing this article. I simply really enjoyed the experience!
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