1ST DAY- DUBLIN CASTLE AND CITY TOUR

September 28, 2018

We first took a tour of Central Dublin, then over to Dublin Castle. Dublin castle was the set of power and government for many centuries. There has been a settlement here for more than 1000 years. In 1204 King John of England ordered the construction of the castle. Over time, it became the most important fortification in Ireland and over the next 8 centuries functioned as the seat of colonial rule, the center of military and political power.  Sorry if this sounds like a brochure, but I wanted to explain it to you.  This is just a very short synopsis of it.  United States history seems like a minute in time compared to the history of Europe and the rest of the world. It was and is a beautiful place.

Dublin Castle still serves as a place of national Prestige, still hosting important events, including the inauguration of the Irish President every 7 years. The last international visit was from the Queen of England.  

This is a courting couch. The parents sit in the middle. The girl on one end, the boy on the other. Can you imagine 2 people getting to know each other like this. Certainly glad this  custom was lost thru the ages!

This is a wine storage chest.  Beautiful, but a little too big for our house

After getting back to our hotel, we decided to go to Temple Bar. We wanted to go to at  least  once to say we had been there. We took the Luaus tram, which I mentioned in the previous day post.  We got off 2 stops later than we had wanted, but it turned out for the best. I had wanted to go to the Brazen Head pub, the oldest  in Dublin. By getting off at the wrong spot, we were right there.  It  was a Friday night, so the pub was packed. After standing for a while, the only reason we got a seat was that I saw someone start to get up. I was there before they finished getting up. The is how the people after us got our seat. We had delicious Irish stew and, of course, a pint of Guinness. 

After finishing, we walked to Temple Bar. Oh my, what a crazy, busy place. I know now why everyone says you have to experience Temple Bar  at lest once. We went into the first pub. It was so loud, we walked right out.  It was shoulder to shoulder crowded.  Also the next one. Third time is a charm because we found one where the music hadn't started yet. You could at  least hear yourself talk. Then we took the Luaus tram back to the hotel. What an easy way to get around Dublin. What a great first day and night of our tour. 

BEATING THE JET LAG

September 26, 2018

Since our trip to Italy fell thru, we decided to go to Ireland. We had thought about driving, but they have a crazy law that you can't rent a car over 75.  That lets Denny out because he turned 78 on the trip. You can do it if you are 70-75 (me), but they make it cost prohibitive since they don't really want  to rent to anyone over 70. We decided on a 15 day bus tour, going all over the island. Ireland is about the size of Indiana.

I am certainly glad we took a bus tour. Both of us could sight see without having the stress of driving on the left hand side and following signs in another language.

We went over a day early to Dublin to try and get ahead of jet lag and certainly glad we did. I had heard the worst thing to do is take a nap, so I had a full day planned. We got to our hotel around 2.  After putting our things away, we took off for our first place, The Epic Museum. It tells the story of Ireland and the Migration to other places after the famine. I heard it was a must see in Dublin. After taking off in the wrong direction we finally got there. It was quite a bit further than I thought, so we were exhausted by the time we got there. 

After the Museum, we were hungry, so decided to go to our first pub. There was a highly recommended pub not too far. I'm not a beer drinker, but everyone says you have to try the Guinness. It tastes a lot different in Ireland than the states. I ordered a glass instead of a pint since I was leery. Then I ordered another glass. Oh my, it was delicious. I had a pint of Guinness every day of our trip. We ordered an Irish steak served on a hot lava stone. Well, at least that's what we thought. Luckily, our waitress explained it to us. They put a hot lava stone on your plate. Then they give you a RAW steak to cook yourself. I think not! We had never heard of that.  I don't want to go to a restaurant and do the cooking myself. We ordered a COOKED steak. 

We then walked back to the hotel and tried to stay up longer. By the time we went to bed, we had been up 22 hours. We were exhausted, but knew we could sleep in the next day.  We didn't have any jet lag, so it was worth it. 

We took Aer Lingus, the National Irish airline

We take our coffee black, but we had never seen milk served this way. It was in most of the hotel rooms

Instead of a little coffee pot in the rooms, all you get is a pot that heats water and instant packets. UGH, but at least it was caffeine. I never had a good cup of coffee in Ireland, even in the restaurants. I like it strong, every cup was weak to me.

We have never been to Europe so there was some surprises. When we got to the hotel room, we couldn't figure how to turn on the lights. None of the switches worked. I felt real stupid, but I called reception. You put your key card into a slot by the door. That turns on all the switches. It really is a good idea. No way will you accidentally leave any lights on in the rooms. This was also in most of the hotel rooms

Isn't there a tomato in a BLT anyway?

Except at the airport, this is the only Starbucks we saw in Ireland. It was  a few doors down from our first hotel. It was much larger than most. Thought we could get a cup to go for  the bus, but during the week, they don't open til 9am, the weekends, 10am. I was shocked, thy are usually open so early in the States

We have never seen a regular counter and long window like this in a shower. When the light is on, it shines into the room. At lest it is opaque, so you can't see in.

We saw this tractor trailer backing up into 3Areana.  3Arena is the large concert venue for all the big acts. It is right across from our hotel. That night Shaina Twain was there. Our hotel was packed because people have a drink at our hotel or stay the night. Notice the cab, it is a lot different than in the States. With this type of cab, the trailer can make a very sharp turn  to back up that ours can't.  We were all amazed when we saw it turn and back in. They all  like this in Ireland, probably Europe.

This is the tram that goes all over Dublin. The last stop is in front of our hotel, so we took it to Temple Bar in the evening.  Temple Bar is kind of like our Pioneer Square district in Seattle. Very touristy, very trendy.  I wasn't sure how to get the ticket at the kiosk in front, so asked a local. She was very nice and did it for us. Everyone we ever met in Ireland was so  friendly.  We certainly need something like this in our area.

This Volkswagen was part of the decor at our hotel. 

All of the walls along the escalator were covered in living plants. Thought it was very interesting.

Our tour starts tomorrow!!!  So excited