One Last Thing

The one thing that was puzzling and rather annoying about Ireland is their belief that electrical outlets near water is a completely dangerous and forbidden concept.

So my hotels had no outlets in the bathroom, by a mirror, for a blow dryer or curling iron or hot rollers.  Even our Galway house didn't!  What's up with that?

Witness This:

Shavers only in the bathroom.

I had to plug in my hair stuff in the living room and thank God there was a mirror inside the cabinet holding the fridge, coffeemaker, etc.

Ok, and what is that fourth hand on the clock?

(Oh, I finally got it.  The alarm!  Wow, is that a clock from the past!)

My Last Stroll

It was a sunny day, though only 60 degrees, and the meandering was easy.  Nowhere to be at a particular time, no schedule, no hurry.  This is the way I like to travel and, especially, to end a trip. Didn't get to the Cliffs of Mohr, didn't get to the Ring of Kerry, didn't go to the Aran Islands, didn't kiss the Blarney Stone and didn't see the Book of Kells or any other historical landmark in Dublin. But I didn't mind.

At this age, I'm less about seeing the sights and much more about the scenery, the culture, and talking to as many native people as I can.  And we surely did that.

I may return another day to do what I missed this trip, but if I never do, I have no regrets.  Overall (wait for my last post!) it has been a lovely trip.

These are my last shots of Dublin.

(Click to enlarge photos.)

Starbucks everywhere (and where there are bicycles, I'm shooting.)  :)

French couple trying to earn a little money for travel by making and selling these, what, ashtrays?  Candle holders?  I forgot and can't read their sign.  They are old pop cans.

Chicagoans, note the name.

Tapas.

Custom-made shirts shop.

Another unusual juxtaposition:  BK over Swarovski.  (I forgot how to work that formula.)

The Little Museum of Dublin -- all items donated by the public.

Ending up the evening with an 8 o'clock dinner outside.

And I come back to my hotel to find a package from my dear Irish exchange hosts.

HOHO

Yesterday I took the Hop On, Hop Off bus around Dublin.  It was worthwhile to get the lay of the land, but I found most things I was interested in seeing were within walking distance of my hotel. Except for Phoenix Park.

What an amazing park!  If I were here longer, I'd go out to spend more time in it, rent a bike and cycle it, bring a picnic lunch and just sit and read and people-watch.  It's beautiful.  And it dates back to 1662 when it was established on behalf of King Charles II.

Here are some of the things on the tour, though taken from a moving bus, some are lacking in quality.

(Click photos to enlarge.)

By the stop at St. Stephen's Green where I boarded.

Not sure about this name.  Hmmm?

I think this might be Bank of Ireland, but forgot what was said on the commentary.

Not St. Patrick's, but also don't remember what this is.  (Can you tell this post is going to be super informative?)

Just a neat little people scene from the top of the bus.

Another little interesting tidbit.

A hospital.  That dates way back.  Like most stuff.

James Joyce Bridge.

Another bridge.  Duh.

Ditto.

Ha'Penny Bridge, so-named because it used to cost half a penny to cross it.

At night.

  

Last one.  At least that I photographed.  (I love bridges, don't you?)

Didn't snap Guinness when we went by.  Don't like beer.  Probably should have.  Don't like Whiskey either.

O'Connell Street