We are in The Republic of Ireland, which uses the Euro, not the British Pound.
Today's morning expedition was a walking tour of the old downtown section of the city. We coached to St. Stephen's Green, past Trinity College and many of Dublin's 'must see' sights. There we started a sort of Taste of Dublin tour, led by a very amiable and knowledgeable guide. we stopped at several establishments and sampled their wares. We had a bab, a, sandwich that is popular as a light snack, a cheese tasting at a cheese monger's shop, a bar where we had some Irish Whiskey, a chocolate shop, an organic deli, and a couple of other interesting nibble shops.
I did not realize it was an eating tour as such and we were not really hungry at 10:00, however, it turned out just fine as we strolled through the streets and shops collecting history as we did so. There were 15 of us and all were very amiable.
Most of the group stayed in town after the walking tour and shopped or gawked or walked. We chose to have a cup of tea with the guide after and then took the bus back to the ship.
Dublin is a big city, quaint, interesting but still another ABC to us... 'Another Big City'. We usually stay out of cities, preferring instead to see the countryside, we feel more comfortable in that environment and find more things of interest rather than buildings and shops.
Some of the other on the tour were after a bit of souvenir jewellery, or some other such item, others were after a meal with some Guiness or drinks. We took the opportunity to relax aboard and enjoy the sights and sounds of a busy port in the quietness of our own suite aboard. Tomorrow is a sea day, one of only two remaining. I for one am looking forward to laying in bed until my body says it is time to get up, not some tour deadline or such. It seems that onboard we can lie, unlike at home because tomorrow there is absolutely no reason to get up! How often does that happen, here or at home?
We had reservations for our anniversary dinner tonight, which seems strange to us as we usually celebrate with friends or family. Then the Celtic Singers and Dancers entertained us. They got off around 10:30 and then the ship sailed for Donegal on the West coast of Ireland. We do not stop in Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK.
I am not sure if this trip will modify my rather biased view of Ireland, so far today it has not. This city seems to be just like so many other places in the world that we have seen before and I doubt that even after visiting three other Irish ports I will have been exposed enough to Ireland to nudge my thoughts into a more positive notion about the country. My negative thoughts on Ireland are likely based on a couple of Irish folk who made my life somewhat less than pleasant in my working career.
This is what one would expect here, whiskey shops.
And this as well.
Flowers seem to be more common in Europe or at home. Cut flowers that is.
Cheese, from all over the world, a modest few made in Ireland.
Just a lovely building decked out in flowers!
A scone with jam and cream.
Old buidings are mixed with new buildings, but nicely done.
Again, flowers on the street.
Peat is still burned here it would appear!
They are as expensive as they look.
Can you imagine the price of theses?
For my brother!
This could be at home, except the fruits come from all over the world.
New and old mixed.
Just like you would expect here.
Somebody very important, now the pidgeons find him convenient at least.
Inside the bar where we had whiskey at 10:00 AM!
The Swan Bar it was, there has been a drinking place here for hundreds of years.
A once Stately Home, now high end shops.
A great show of Irish dancing and music in the Showroom later.
Celebration dinner tonight. [You never know when you have had your last cruise!]
Wow, they gave us two extra years!
From the Captain in our room after dinner.
Happy Anniversary - worthy of celebration
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