At the Albert quay, cork city in Ireland a huge audience is excitedly waiting to wave at the Clipper fleet of boats. What makes this fleet of boats exciting is the fact that it is the Cork Clipper Round the World Yacht Race ’09 – ’10 – the only global competition where people from all walks of life can participate. Only those who love the sea and its waves know why anybody who leads a cushy life is willing to step out from their comfort zone to race 35,000 miles around the world to face an unpredictable sea weather, to live in cramped space and to eat tinned food for months at end.
Located on Ireland’s south coast, the city of Cork is the Ireland’s second largest. Its history dates back to the 6th century. Spread across the far-western reaches of Ireland, Cork is one of the primary stopovers for many-a-misty-eyed-visitor in Ireland. Follow the country’s three bony-fingered peninsulas that reaches into the Atlantic and you’re up for an epic, wind-washed coastline peppered with vibrant seaside villages, their bustling harbours with fishing boats bringing home the day’s catch. Then for the urban traveller there’s Cork city, nonchalantly outdoing Dublin out its way as it with its plethora of cocktail bars, modern-art galleries, and avant-garde theatre. What stayed most with me on this Irish holiday, in both city and countryside, is that the super-spectacle of The Clipper Race, the forever festive mood of the city, stomping live-music session in a creaky old pub, some finest meals in most conspicuous little places that churns out freshest Irish produce, and the steady humour of a population fiercely proud of its past and confident of its future.
After a trip around the city of Cork which included a visit to the Old Jameson Distillery in Midleton, Blarney Castle and a kiss on the Blarney Stone and the famous English Market, I was all set to see the yachts at close quarters. I wasn’t disappointed. Fiona Bolger, whose boat was participating at the race, graciously asked her skipper to give us the much awaited tour of the boat.
The Clipper Race is the brainchild of legendary yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail non-stop singlehandedly around the world. He wanted to open the sport of long distance sailing to all and allow others to experience the challenges of ocean racing. The people have taken to the race and how! Anybody with the spirit of adventure can participate.
The race which started from Humber on the east coast of UK was heading back to Humber after their route of Rio de Janeiro, South Africa, Western Australia, Singapore, Qingdao, California, the Caribbean, New York, Cape Breton Island, Cork and then back to Humber. Participants in the race contested by ten tripped-down 68 foot racing yachts, included bankers, customer service duty manager, nurses, engineers, bankers and marketing executives among others. As I stood at the quay it was easy to fathom the large number of people gathered there, some balancing an umbrella and a frothy beer mug while others holding a large paper cone of piping hot fish and chips, cheering loudly as each yacht took turns to sail by from the quay.
“I am so sorry, it’s raining. I wish it was sunny” says Antoinette Reilly of Ireland Tourism raising her voice in the middle of loud music, laughter and the festive atmosphere to which I told her that it really didn’t matter. Just after the yachts sailed away we were whisked away in a luxury bus to Kinsale the small and pretty fashionable resorts on the south-west coast of Ireland. It’s a picturesque town with the prominence of a beautiful harbour that has winding by-lanes that lead to beautiful houses in pretty colours that look like it has just come alive from fairy tale books. It is nestled between the hills and the shoreline. There was a palpable festive buzz all around Kinsale Town, known for its ‘Craic and Culture’. Some such likes are the Goldifish Artisan Food and Craft Market that feature over 40 stalls showcasing the best of Irish Food and Craft. A walk around this town is a must for those visiting Kinsale. The place had some stately historic monuments, a small museum that is maintained by local volunteers, plenty of maritime activities and above all it is known as the gourmet capital of Ireland. Plenty to keep my palate ticking!
Posted by : Arati Thapa Group Editor Asia Spa India at 09:50 AM
