Am not sure whether I really do need a break after working pretty
hard in the Uni, or it is just another excuse for me to have some fun, I just
did it, booked a short trip to Dublin for three days two nights and that’s it. ‘Work
hard, play hard’ is always my philosophy of life.
This is a trip full with the ‘first time’ headings. Let’s see:
1. First time travelling solo. The
experience is awesome as I tend to see more people from different background
and culture. I meet a German couple and a Brazil born Japanese in the first day
at Guinness Storehouse. I meet with another group of people in the MacCoole
tour to the Cliffs of Moher, a Spanish girl, a Chinese lady from Salzburg, a
Chinese girl from California, another Chinese girl and boy who are studying in
France, and two American boys. It is extremely cool when I bumped into a few
Malaysian students. They are being so kind to me by offering me sandwich and a
packet of orange juice. In addition, I have spent enough time with myself –
thinking : )
2. First time waiting alone in the
train station, as early as in 5ish in the morning, where I was surrounded by
only guys…I was pretty nervous though, luckily I am fine
3. First time flying with Ryanair.
They have this trumpet sound alert upon landing, just to applause that they
have made an on time flight. Bah, my return flight is delayed though. Well, to
be fair, it is delayed as they are waiting for a late passenger. He was with
his crutch, so am not sure whether he is disable or just having some injuries.
4. First time travelling with only
my rucksack. Just for the sake of saving some money.
5. First time staying at dorm with
10 beds. I chose to stay in a female dorm. The dorm is really above my expectation;
It is in edgy girlie design, equipped with a Jacuzzi. Most importantly it is
very clean. Am glad to be roomed with a group of sensible girls who aren’t making
noises..
6. First time visiting the tourism
spots in the city centre without taking any public transports (ie: bus, DART,
LUAS etc). Am not sure how many miles I have walked three days in Dublin
7. First time switching off or
disconnecting from the internet, no email, no social network updates etc, am
just on my own most of the time which is very cool!
8. First time not being lost
wandering around the Dublin city centre. Irish people are generally kind, nice
and helpful. There are a couple occasions where the pedestrians stop and
helping me out with the direction. There is an Irish man even help me in
pressing the traffic light button then he just walked away, I don’t even have a
chance to thank him for his kindness :)
9. First time pouring and having
my first pint of Guinness
Right, what I have done three days two nights in Dublin..
Day 1:
Arriving at Dublin airport at 11ish. I took Airlink coach to get to the town centre. It costs € 6 per way or € 10 return. After checking in to the GeneratorDublin hostel, I take a quick lunch, which is a own made sandwich (I made it a
day before at home), then straight away heading to the first tourism spot – the
Guinness Storehouse. I have spent the whole afternoon there, probably most of
time are spent in reading the literature :) It is nice to visit as a student,
as I tend to get discount on most tickets. The entrance fees for students is € 10.60. The ticket includes a free pint
of Guinness. You can either claim it in the Gavity Bar, which is at the top floor
where you could enjoy the 360 degree panoramic view of Dublin or claim it in
pouring you first pint. Then I wander around Thomas Street, stopping at Tesco
Express, get a Sandwich as tomorrow breakfast. As I am in a budget trip, I love
the €meal
deal, where I could get a sandwich, a packet of crisp and a drink in € 3. As most tourism spots
are closed at 5pm, I then heading to The Brazen Head for dinner. They told me it is
the oldest pub in Ireland. So I just pop in to have a look. After dinner, I
head back to the hostel and have an early night. Still I sleep at about 12ish..
Day 2:
I join the MacCoole tour to Cliffs of Moher. I
wake up pretty early as I have to walk to the Dublin Tourism Centre at Suffolk
Street which is about 30 minutes walk from the hostel. The weather isn’t being
pleasant. It is rainy and cold. I would personally recommended a trip to see
the Cliffs of Moher. The view is spectacular. Most tour operators charge € 45 for adult and € 40 for students. MacCoole charge € 40 for all. I take a quick look of the
tour operators leaflets collected from
the airport, it looks pretty much the same. Since am taking MacCoole tour, I would
say it is a brilliant tour, tour guides are very friendly and chatty. I
especially love the mountain walking tour and the homemade carrot cake, hmm,
the Irish coffee as well, if only I am given enough time to drink it. I am
rushed to get into the bus when I am just about to drinking my coffee.
Therefore, I have to drink it in one shot which causes me almost throw up in
the bus afterwards, as the bus is heading straight away up to the cliff. The
only suggestion to them is that as a visitor, I would appreciate if I am
touring in one bus / same bus from start to the end, instead of just drop to a
spot, and pick up by another bus considering the poor weather. In addition, I also
appreciate it if the tour starts on time. I notice there is a delay here and
there, ends up we have only one hour to walk around the cliff. Still it is all
good especially meeting with a group of nice people. I have been out from 6am
and back to the hostel at 10pm. I am knackered afterwards.
Day Three:
It is my last day in Dublin where I spend most
time on my own. I was told by a Chinese lady I met in the tour in day two there
is a café in O’Connell street (where the Spire located) serves pretty good cooked breakfast in good
price. However, I couldn’t get it clearly from her the name of the café. All I know
is the café name has a ‘more’ with it. Therefore, I wake up at 7am, pack, and
give a good bye hug to the Salzburg lady, then straight away walking to O’Connell
street looking for my cooked breakfast. Am lucky enough to find that café, it
is the Kylemore, where 4 items, two toasts and a coffee costs only € 4.99. Am pretty
delighted with the breakfast and of course taking some nice pictures along O’Connell
street. After that I walk to the Trinity College, I personally think it is a
bit expensive paying € 8
student ticket fees just to see the book of Kells and long room. It is
something good to see though. Then I walk to the Temple bar area, taking a few
shots, and heading to Dublina. It is a good place to visit with your kids, not
sure whether it is for a solo traveller like me, lol, still am paying € 6 for it. The sun doesn’t stay long. weather
is pretty unpredictable though. It starts raining during noon time, then stops.
Sun and rain takes turn for twenty minutes each. Hmm.. I quickly grab a
sandwich and having it in the garden of Christchurch cathedral when it is
sunny. I then have a quick look Dublin castle, follow by the National Gallery of Ireland (free admission). I take some time watching quite a nice electronic guitarist performance at Grafton Street before heading to the airport.I am
extremely knackered on the last day, considering am carrying my rucksack
walking from 8am-430pm around the city centre, I really do applaud my fitness.
Lol.
I am pretty happy with myself. The first thing
I think about when I land at Gatwick is where my next destination is. Hence I
create a reward system for myself. Once I achieve a goal at work, I will reward
myself with a short holiday. What a motivation to myself ! :)
~ Memories ~
