That actually sounds quite lovely. I often forget how beautiful Ireland can be in moments like that. I am glad you had that moment.
I'm also glad you mentioned the Silk Road. Northwest China is by far my favorite part of China (irony, I live in Guangdong). I was very lucky that my job sent me to Dunhuang in Gansu, N.W. China ,one of the most important destinations on the Silk Road. Gratuitous pictures, ahoy!