Ready, Set, Here come the Spring Break entries!!! I'm going to do a different one for each of the four days.
Day 1: London to Dublin
Even though this technically wasn't part of the Ireland tour, it was exciting for me because we got to drive through Wales.
Our day started at 5:00 am when we roused ourselves from our beds so that we could get on the tube by 6:00 am. The station that we were being picked up from was at the far end of Zone 2 and would require a line change on the tube on our parts. We got to Kilburn station about 6:45 to see a large, green coach bus with the title Paddywagon designed clearly on the front, with a large leprechaun on it. We knew that being up for two long hours had already paid off. We got on the bus with 12 other people who had also booked return from London and off we went! And so we continued to go....and go... for six hours we went through England and all through Wales up to Bollyhead to the northern port. Even though I kept dozing in and out, Wales was beautiful from what I could see, lots of countryside and fences, definitely more laid back and agricultural than London.
Around 3 in the afternoon we boarded the StenaLine Ferry. Now when I say ferry, I don't mean a small thing... I mean a moving car deck. Two levels of parking garage plus a cruise ship type atmosphere on top with shops, restaurants, arcades, etc. However, unlike a cruise ship......you get a nice swaying/rocking motion.......and consequently I discovered that I get rather sea sick on things like this. About 10 minutes after our departure onto the Irish Sea, I had a headache plus nausea plus a general feeling of gross and Oh lord I might throw up. But alas, I managed to get control of myself by sitting at the back and being able to look out and see where we were going and getting some fresh air and that's what the picture is of.
We arrived on dry ground(thankfully) around 5:30 and through Dublin City we went. It was rush hour, so traffic was a bit tight, but I didn't mind because it gave me a chance to see the city. Less hustle and bustle than London, but definitely a happening place. After we arrived at Paddy's Palace (the office from which our tour operates) we were checked into our Bed & Breakfast for the night entitled the Adelphi. And boy, were we all tired!! But before we could call it a night, we had to get something to eat! So out into the city we went. We wandered up and down Talbot street looking at all the shops, some brand name, some local, some very cute and traditional Irish antique and craft shops as well. We had heard our driver that day mention The Celt, but we walked in and couldn't get a table so we left. Being 7:30 now... we were all ready for some food so we went across the street to a place called O'Shea's. And you may ask yourself....ohhh I wonder what kind of interesting food she got there....well, I'll tell you.... fried chicken. Yes, fried chicken.... I was one hungry southern girl and couldn't pass up their deal on fried chicken! So I foundered myself and all in all end up eating about 4 pieces of fried chicken, fries, and a salad. After our hearty dinner, we drug our tired selves back to our B&B, took showers and called it a night because we knew the day would start early tomorrow!
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