Ireland - 1-5 June

Day 27 continued

I arrived in Dublin to a wet windy day. As I walked up the ramp from the plane to the terminal my breath was visible in the freezing cold!

I went through immigration, grabbed my bag and exited.

Still cold!

Thankfully the airport bus arrived immediately and I jumped on paid my 6€ and rode up top.

Free wifi on board helped me catch up on my Facebook and email and ensure I got off at the right stop of Christchurch to find the Jury Inn Hotel that Clare booked. I'd met Clare as my Airbnb guest in Australia and she saw that I would be closer to her side of the world so booked flights to party with me in Dublin for an evening!

The Jury's Inn was luxury after the other hotels / Airbnb and back packers I'd been in! Especially when it was lovely warm and welcoming on a wet day!

I went out for a short while to get coffee, chips and some soft drink for the vodka but as it was so wet I headed home quickly! It's at this point that I realised no one wanted the 100€ note I got in Montenegro! Whatever you do avoid them as only the few places that can scan them accept them!

So when I hadn't heard from Clare at the expected time I was a little concerned but about an hour after I expected to she whatsapp'd me to say she was in Shannon! The weather was worse than normal and her plane couldn't make the runway in time so was diverted for refueling!

Meanwhile I was eating chips, having a nice vodka and lemon and watching a Britney and All Saints marathon in my nice comfy warm room that she'd organized with her points!!!

She eventually arrived 3 hours later than expected and we headed out for dinner at Dodgy Bobs or some name like that I'd found on trip advisor.

I stupidly wore about 20 layers I had to keep on taking on and off all night as went from bar to bar ... Temple Bar, Finnigans. I was enjoying all that was like home again but with slight Irish differences!

At first I really struggled to understand what they were saying but soon got used to listening out for the slightly different pronunciation of words!

We met a very drunk Simon in Temple Bar who was local ... He hugged his Guiness eyes closed, singing along to the Irish songs the band played.

We stayed there til it closed at 1am then Simon woke up and offered to show us to another bar which stayed up later whilst he was heading home ...

We then met another couple of locals in Finnigans ... 'Sean likes to dance' and boy did Sean dance! Bopping around on his little Irish legs!

It had been a long day for Clare who had been up since 4am as she works as a manager for book stores ... conveniently at Heathrow airport so she worked until her flight departed!

Day 28

After a little sleep in we got ready and left our bags at the hotel desk then headed for breakfast at Queen of Harts. My first full Irish and I'd been missing tastes like this for the past 4 weeks!!!

While having breakfast the weather intermittently changed between pouring with rain, cloudy to cloud free sunshine! It was like the weather was schizophrenic all day!!!

We visited Trinity College gazing on the beautiful book of Kell then my favourite taking in the beautiful long hall of the old library.

Next we wandered down Grafton street stopping into the souvenir shops then onto St Stephens Green, as the sun had come out again now we sat for a while enjoying its warmth wishing the cool wind would go away!

As Clare needed to pick up her bags and head to the airport about 4pm, next we had a quick afternoon tea then headed for the hotel.

Once there we walked to the bus stop which was close by and said our farewells.

I walked the 20 or so minutes to Isaacs hostel near Paddys Palace so I could take in some new sites.

Once there I got some tips from reception on a walk I could do and to checkout the Cobblestone Bar for some authentic Irish jamming.

I followed the river as he suggested down towards the convention centre then back up the other side. I cut in and went past Trinity College again, through Temple Bar which at that time seemed heavily touristy (the evening before I'd paid 10€ for a basic and mixer!!!).

I went back out to the river then wandered til I saw the pretty churches in Christchurch - followed the road up to photograph them then headed back down to the river again passing Brazen Head. I saw the tourist bus outside which clued me onto it being something (oldest pub in Ireland) and as it was now 915pm and getting colder as the sun was almost set I headed in for a drink. I ended up with a 500ml bottle of craft cider so thought I better stay for dinner too!

I ate my traditional fish and chips at a bench table where I was joined by 3 New Yorkers who were on a whistle stop tour of Europe - Dublin / Rome / Lisbon.

I left them and headed for Cobblestone photographing interesting street scenes as I went.

Cobblestone was tiny but had a few younger locals playing fiddle, accordion etc. Lots of people were crowded around them to enjoy the music and it had a really nice vibe. I left after about half an hour though as needed to meet my 2 day west paddywagon tour at 8am.

A black man yelled out to me from the doorway of the bar as I walked down the street. He said he'd wanted to chat to me - where was I from?

I was flattered as the most interest anyone had shown for a while but a little nervous being on my own and in a dark street outside a bar with this not going to go anywhere so said thanks but I've gotta go.

I walked back to Isaacs in the brisk evening now a little more comfortable with the cold since there was no rain. I did walk through some areas where I questioned weather I should be walking alone but arrived fine.

I only had 2 other roomies which was good but unfortunately one of them had a horrible coughing fit during the evening so still an interrupted sleep!

Day 29

I got ready and made some marmalade toast to go then headed to Paddys palace to meet my tour.

I met Sam from Sydney shortly after hopping on the bus as we got taking about why was I on a 2 day tour and her 4 but we're on the same bus ... We later realised logistically they're very good and combine all different days and swap you between buses to get the experience you paid for.

The bus was good fun as the driver regularly points out things of interests and tells you about them in an amusing way. It didn't stop as much as I liked and most of what we saw had to be enjoyed from the bus window! Although this bothered me I do have to bare in mind that it's generally cold and raining outside so it's hardly surprising!!!

That day we visited Kong then road side stops through Connemara, then onto Galway. That evening I had dinner with new friends Sam (from Sydney) and Edry (from Argentina) we all headed out on a pub crawl which was lots of fun despite the lack of locals!

Day 30

As 8 of us were in one dorm I was awake early and showering was a nightmare as can be expected!

An hour later I farewelled the 4 day group and headed out for a good full Irish breakfast as it would be my last free time for one!

I came back before 10 to meet the bus with Shelby and Jordan (from USA) who were the only other 2 on a 2 day tour.

The driver had some good tips for us and took us to meet another group who were a one day trip from Dublin.

We stopped first at Kilvara then onto an abbey (forgotten the name!), a stop to take photos at some cliffs (he called them baby Moher cliffs) then lunch at a nice pub (joined by Shelby, Jordan and now Bridget also from USA) where I finally tried the yummy seafood chowder followed by a baileys coffee!

Next was the cliffs of Moher which were stunning and we took loads of photos. I attempted to do a headstand near a cliff edge but of course within safe distance but too much adrenaline and couldn't do it! I'm thinking the cider and baileys coffee didn't help either!!!

Next stop was Bunratty castle and chai and red velvet cupcakes with Bridget them home to Dublin.

I checked back in to Isaacs fortunately scoring one of the last few remaining beds! Met my roomies then headed out alone for dinner at the Celt trying to get my last fix of cider and a taste of Irish stew before departing. I have a new favourite food - the brown bread they serve with it is rich and delicious!!!

I didn't chat to anyone before dinner as I'd say next to a couple who kept to themselves. After dinner a local named Pat came to chat to me ... I ended up doing the bolt when he walked off as he was being handsy with me and kept taking the money off the table I was trying to leave to pay for my meal!

Somewhere in amongst that I downed a half pint of Guiness chased down by a bulmers as though I tried I couldn't stand the taste! I made myself do it though as felt I couldn't leave Ireland without having a good go at their 'black gold'!

I didn't want to leave Dublin with Patrick as my last memory so headed to Osheas for a baileys and where I got chatting to PJ and Noreen. They meet there every Thursday night for dancing so promised to come back again on my next visit!

Didn't get back to the hostel til midnight and my 7 other roomies were all up chatting! Fortuately all were getting ready for bed as I had to be up at 430!

Day 31

I awoke before the alarm as another roomie had a coughing fit! I fear there is something going around the hostel as I now too feel I have something on my chest!!!

I was at Paddys Palace for my free 5am transfer and at the airport by 530am ... It was a long wait for my 905am flight which ended up being delayed but although sad to be leaving Dublin with its fun people I'm really glad to be heading home!

These days as much as I love going out to explore ... There's no place like home!