If you’re planning a trip to Iona Abbey, here is your itinerary, unless that is, you sign on for a cruse.To arrive here on the island from my home outside of Boston, I took 3 buses, 1 car, 2 ferries, and 2 planes. I should include the miles of walking but that might discourage you. Trust me, the trip is worth it. If you get disheartened along the way, just remember, you are on a pilgrimage.
Car to Logan Express Bus (15 minutes)
Bus to Logan Airport(40 minutes
Plane to Dublin (6 hours)
Plane to Glasgow (1 hour)
Bus to Oban (3 hours); spend the night.
Ferry to Craignure on Mull (1 hour)
Bus across Mull to Fionnphort (1.5 hours)
Ferry to Iona (10 minutes)
Walk to the Abbey (10 minutes)
So far my travels have been filled with silence, solitude and simplicity, and even some private laughter; easy travel and a the best-ever fish and chips at my favorite restaurant in Oban. Even with a mix up with my B & B reservation the calm has continued, accompanied by some quiet laughter on the way.
When I rang the bell at the bright blue house in Oban where I ALWAYS stay, I was told there was no room at the inn --I had failed to confirmed the booking! Fortunately the owner found me a room at a reasonable price just down the street, warning me, however, that I had to enter through the bar. That’s where my private laughter began. Men and women, beer in hand stared at me as I walked in. The place looked like a movie set and I felt like I was participating in one of those old western movies in which the action freezes as the villain enters. I could almost here the director say freeze.
While the crowd watched, I signed in and paid and then was taken to the B & B section of the hotel. Funky is a kind word to describe the place, but clean, quiet, and best of all a separated entrance for overnight guests.
I am very grateful that my intention for silence, solitude and simplicity guided me through what I could have considered a HUGE annoyance, inconvenience, or blight on the trip. Instead it gave me reason to see the humor in life, to laugh at my mistakes, and not to take myself so seriously.
Car to Logan Express Bus (15 minutes)
Bus to Logan Airport(40 minutes
Plane to Dublin (6 hours)
Plane to Glasgow (1 hour)
Bus to Oban (3 hours); spend the night.
Ferry to Craignure on Mull (1 hour)
Bus across Mull to Fionnphort (1.5 hours)
Ferry to Iona (10 minutes)
Walk to the Abbey (10 minutes)
So far my travels have been filled with silence, solitude and simplicity, and even some private laughter; easy travel and a the best-ever fish and chips at my favorite restaurant in Oban. Even with a mix up with my B & B reservation the calm has continued, accompanied by some quiet laughter on the way.
When I rang the bell at the bright blue house in Oban where I ALWAYS stay, I was told there was no room at the inn --I had failed to confirmed the booking! Fortunately the owner found me a room at a reasonable price just down the street, warning me, however, that I had to enter through the bar. That’s where my private laughter began. Men and women, beer in hand stared at me as I walked in. The place looked like a movie set and I felt like I was participating in one of those old western movies in which the action freezes as the villain enters. I could almost here the director say freeze.
While the crowd watched, I signed in and paid and then was taken to the B & B section of the hotel. Funky is a kind word to describe the place, but clean, quiet, and best of all a separated entrance for overnight guests.
I am very grateful that my intention for silence, solitude and simplicity guided me through what I could have considered a HUGE annoyance, inconvenience, or blight on the trip. Instead it gave me reason to see the humor in life, to laugh at my mistakes, and not to take myself so seriously.