6.2.17
29,262 Steps
Between jet lag and Dublin nightlife this is not a restful vacation thus far. So little sleep. My hydration plan is coming up short too.
Focused on the "must see guided tour" stuff for vacation day two, and good thing too. Am still exhausted.
Made it up in time for the complimentary continental breakfast, and my hotel appears to really believe in the carbo load approach to breakfast. Coffee, orange juice, cereal, toast (Irish bread continues to rock), croissant, and passed on the additional pancake. Loading up paid off, however, as I didn't make time to stop again for another twelve hours.
Began the day with the Trinity College campus tour, and it must be strange to attend school someplace that so welcomes tourists to wander freely around campus. Our guide was a charming kid who just graduated with degrees in Spanish (holla!) and Business. Much like other campuses I've seen the architecture is a bit hodgepodge, and apparently they have historically have dodged paying architects.
The line for the Book of Kells was long, but wrapped around a sunny square, moving quickly enough. Really enjoyed the illuminations, but my interest in vellum and ink prep may be a little less that the exhibit expects. Loved the long library room upstairs. Oddly drawn to the smell of musty books.
Decided to walk to Kilmainham Gaol, which may have been overly ambitious. It's only about 2 miles, and seemed like a good way to check out the city at eye level. The regular length tours were sold out for the day, but the highlights tour was just about right. Dad would dig this place. It's rich with history, and a bit of a gut punch on the tragedy angle (so Irish).
Had planned to hit the Guinness Storehouse on the way back, but by the time I got there was just too tired to take on the crowds for beer, of all things. Will just have to try it in a pub at some point. Finished the hike back to the hotel in order to get of my feet for a bit.
Snapped awake from an unintended nap about 8:30 and rallied for a stroll Temple Bar. By now had moved beyond hungry, so discovered possibly the best pizza of my life (level of hunger may play a it into that standing, but it was just really good). I can hardly recall a time I've been as happy as I was standing on the sidewalk outside Dublin Pizza devouring a spicy 9 inch pie. Transcendent.
Temple Bar on a Friday night feels very much like a couple blocks out of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Music and revelers burst out of bars along a several block stretch, and the literature isn't kidding about it being the bachelor/hen party mecca. Loads of pre wedding revelry happing everywhere and accompanied by all the tacky wardrobe you might expect.
Found a spot to enjoy the more traditional music for a couple hrs and ciders, before headed back towards the hotel thru the Grafton Street area which appears more subdued in the midnight range.
Since I was going to be hearing the music from Dublin House next door anyway, figured I should at least go get a drink. It appears to be this old manor house with a hjuge patio space they've converted into a rather vast club. Lux easy chairs and patio furniture everywhere, and at least 3 bars that I found throughout. The crowd seemed to vary in age range a fair amount, probably because it's a bit posh/pricey.
I'm going to like going out in Ireland. Met several charming gentlemen, before calling it a night about 3AM. The music was starting to turn down by the time I turned in, and finally got a full nights sleep, even if it ran well into the following morning.
No comments:
Post a Comment