7/3 Dublin
After a long and fulfilling first day in Dublin, we slept until 10:00. Upon waking we had calls to make (to the ferry lines) and breakfast to eat (for free!). Breakfast was really only served until 10, but the food was still out, so we ate, and took some for later. It was an impressive selection of food for a free breakfast. Although there were no bagels, and that is always upsetting.
After breakfast we made the short trek to the front desk. Patricia (it could be something else but I can't read Maryanne's writing) was working which turned out to be perfect because she was beyond helpful. For more on Patricia visit www.tripadvisor.com.
*Karen gave Patricia a pack of M&M's and she loved them! She gave us both hugs and seemed truly happy about our little thank you! This made all of our days!
Back to the phone calls: Karen wasn't able to change the reservation because the site we booked through refused. While arriving in Holyhead after midnight, with no place to stay isn't ideal we are optimistic and excited to see what awaits.
We proceeded to pack our bags and tidy up the hotel room. We had to check out at noon, but we sat in the hotel lounge planning until around 2 p.m. (14:00). We were figuring out what port we were leaving from. Around 2 p.m. we walked to the bus stop and caught the 4 bus to City Center Dublin. We sat ont he top row in the very front. It was great!!
Upon arrival in City Center we stopped at hte bus office and asked about getting ot the ferry. We were informed that Irish Ferries has a bus that we could catch within walking distance.
We began our journey to the bus terminal. Although the bus would not be leaving until 8 p.m. (20:00) we wanted to make sure we could find the station. On our walk we stopped to eat lunch under a covered business place. We had a feast of taken breakfast foods. A roll and a jelly each (Karen insisted on strawberry), 2 cheeses each (one of which I dropped and Karen so kindly shared hers), oranges, and trail mix. Once finished we tossed our backpacks back on in search of the bus station. Before we got there Karen saw a hostel that offers free bus service to the airport. After inquiring we booked a room for the night of July 30th. At this time it was raining rather heavily so we stopped under a little outdoor bus station to look at our map, because we knew we were close. While looking at the map, Karen looked over her shoulder and said, "Maybe it's the place where the buses are turning in," and right she was!
This is the time that I took over writing. Feel free to compare and contrast the quality of writing. I don't know why I insisted on bulleting my notes... Oh well!
- We waited in the bus station for a few hours and then we went to get dinner at a bar/restaurant. We split the chef's special, which was beef with Mediterranean vegetables and chicken and sweet corn soup! It was delicious and very filling! We saved the bread for later.
- Shortly after dinner we returned to the bus station. Our bus pulled up and Karen knew it was ours. (Not sure why I was speaking of myself in the third person but I guess I appreciate it!) Maryanne was apprehensive and would have been stranded had it not been for Karen's wisdom. (Ha! Some things never change!)
- On the bus, Karen asked a local Irish girl if she had taken the ferry before. This bloomed into a night-long friendship with the possibility of future accommodations. Siobhan is a 22-year-old from an hour outside of Galway. She was sail and railing to meet up with her boyfriend in England. She helped us get our bearings on the ferry and was our travel companion for the ride.
I'm not quite sure why we didn't mention the actual ferry, but it was gorgeous! We felt like we were on a cruise ship!
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