London Dublin Trip Pt 2

So it was time to jet set to Dublin. We had bought bus tickets for easyBus (affilitated with easyJet) and met at the designated bus stop ready to get picked up. Our bus was late, but no worries, the next bus took us and we fortunately had plenty of time to spare. Always get to the airport at least 2 hours before your flight! It saves you the headache of being crunched for time. We flew out of Gatwick to Dublin, and let me tell you.. Gatwick is an awesome airport! When you go through security you scan your boarding card (which was on our phone! Paperless!) and a machine takes your picture. You go through normal security screening and when you get to the gate, the agent scans your mobile boarding pass and your picture pops up and they compare it with your Passport. I thought it was super nifty and cutting edge.

I guess 4 pints it is!

We flew Aer Lingus and landed in Dublin. The airport was the emptiest airport I have ever seen. Great time of year to fly I guess! Only 4 people in front of us at customs, it was niiiiiiice. Marito and I had made a reservation for a rental car with Dollar Car Rentals and were on our way to our hotel. We checked in at Ashling Hotel and found ourselves in a super pretty, almost posh hotel. The best part about this lovely hotel, was the free wifi, and of course the convience of how close it is to everything! After dropping our bags off, we walked next door to a pub called The Millenium and enjoyed fresh Guinness and Baileys on the rocks. Welcome to Dublin y'all!




Our first full day in Dublin we slept in some, went to a friends bar called Slattery's down the road for lunch, and had some bomb a$$ food. Next on our agenda was the Guinnes Brewery! Only 1/2 mile from the hotel, we walked to the entrance, picked up our tickets that we had bought ahead of time and followed our noses. You first enter the Guinness Storehouse where they have merchandise and in the center of the room is a piece of paper in the floor. It is the lease that founder Arthur Guinness signed for the land, for 9,000 years! Talk about confidence in your business!

 

At 12, 1, and 2 pm there is a food tasting, just a sample of Guinness bread with cream cheese and salmon as well as 1/4 pint of Guinness Extra Stout! Woohoo! Free Beer! Now I am starting to sound like Homer Simpson. Oh boy! But if you're interested, it's on the 4th floor. Now that we got that sample in our bellies we went back to the ground floor to start the brewery tour. The first part you come to is a huge sand box, full of barley. You can scoop a handful up and smell it or do what I did, take a little bit home to glue into a scrapbook! Don't judge me. You then walk up to an indoor water fall, learning about the clean water from the mountains nearby. Really cool. At the end of the 1st floor you encounter the Guinness Taste Experience. Fresh glasses of Guinness being poured and one has your name written on it. Unless you are the group of guys that have been there since 10 am, then maybe 7 glasses had your name on it!

At 2 pm, it was time for our extended tour, the Connoisseur Bar Experience. For and extra 25 Euros, you will be taken to a secret bar located in the building, where you and 15 other Guinness fanactics get to sit at a beautiful bar, learning the ins and outs of the four different types of Guinness. Not only will you learn how to properly smell and serve a glass of Guinness, but how to drink a glass too. We got to try all four types, how to properly pour one, and in the end we were able to enjoy another glass of our favorite. I enjoyed the Extra Stout- which is prefered when used for cooking. Marito, of course loves the Draught, but he loved being able to pour his own perfect beer behind the bar! Twenty-five euros may seem like a lot, but it is totally worth this 1 1/2 hour experience and the happiness that comes along with it.

We finished up our drinks and went back to the first floor and enjoyed the Taste Experience one more time. After going through all of the floors, you can redeem a ticket stub for a glass of Guinnes at either the Gravity Bar on the top floor, which over looks the city, or you can go the Guinness Academy on the 4th floor where you can learn how to pour your own beer and get an official certificate. Since we had already learned the ins and outs from the Connoiseur Bar we decided to go for a perfectly poured for us beer at the top!

It was starting to get late, and we needed dinner, and some how managed to find a Mexican Restaurant called Acapulco. Little did we realize it was Cinco De Mayo until we were sitting down. The service was good, the food was delicious, and the athmospere was quaint. We were killing time before we headed out to free comedy at Stag's Head, but we ended up not going and just called it a night.

The next day we got up and both couples decided to go different ways. Our friends booked a tour at the front desk to go to the Cliffs of Moher, while Marito and I made a 3 hour car ride to Northern Ireland to go cross a rope bridge (I saw it in a travel book!)

For me, 3 hours is like driving from Virginia Beach to Washington DC (with no traffic), easy peasy! The fun part was driving on the opposite side of the road! Which, Marito picked up on it fairly quickly! I was impressed. So this Rope Bridge is located in Carrick-A-Rede, and I had my heart set on it. How many people get to 1) travel to Ireland 2) rent a car and drive to Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK) and 3) cross a frickin rope bridge to a tiny fishing island for fun?

We got to the parking lot, paid our tickets, I want to say it was 6 pounds almost. Then we walked 1 km (0.67 miles) along the cliffs edges until we got to the bridge. Only 8 people are allowed to cross it at a time. The bridge is 20 meters long, over a 30 meter drop into the crashing waves along the roacky coast. Talk about adrenaline rush. It was like standing in line for a brand new rollercaoster for me. I was super amped! Marito and I begin to walk across and I kept worrying about dropping my precious iPhone. These pictures are worth the 3 hours of driving. As we crossed I noticed how secure and safe I felt on this rope bridge. There was a wood plank the entire length and it was secured on more wood planks that were built into the weaving of rope. It wasn't shakey nor was it scary. Just pure exciting.

After we made it across you have a tiny tiny tiny, did I say tiny? I mean tiny island to explore and take pictures of the cliffs we were just on. The ground was super soft. Like stepping on a pillow, soft. Every step I took, the ground gave just a little bit. It felt like walking on moss ontop of moss. Very weird. This island, is not on water level, it too has dramatic drop offs to the water, and being the daredevil I am, I had to get as close as I could to the edge to look over- becasue I can. Mind you, there are no fences to keep you from falling over the edge. As I make my way down a slope and to the edge, I lose my footing and slip a good three feet. I can just hear Marito in my head saying "I told you to be careful." I litterally thought that if I didn't catch myself I was going to fall off the edge.. I was only 10 feet or so away. So I dusted myself off, carefully approached the edge and took a picture- I kinda wanted to give my dad a heart attack. Sorry dad!

Now it was time to get off the island.. which means, time to cross the bridge again! Yay! This time, I wanted to be the 8th person to cross so I could take my time crossing and Marito could get some pictures of me with out feeling rushed by the people behind us. After everyone else had finished crossing I was the only one on it, and with every step I took, it felt like I was walking on a trampoline. Still feeling safe and secure, I now felt the vertigo. Awesome.


Next on our list of things to do in Northern Ireland was Giant's Causeway. Only a couple miles down the road, are these beautiful stones sticking out of the coast shapped in hexagonal form. They are all about 18 inches wide and 12 meter deep. They are considered to be stepping stones for giants like Finn MaCool.


Apparently, Finn was wanting to fight another giant in Scotland, so he "placed" these stones all the way to Scotland so the other giant could come fight him. Well when the Scotish giant came, Finn saw how big he was and he hid in disguise as a baby (beard and all). The Scotish giant sees this baby, sees how big it is and flees thinking if Finns baby is this big, imagine how big Finn is. Kinda fun story. These rocks are actually formed by volcanic activity, but I'm a kid a heart and like the giant story better.


After we left we drove through Belfast, which is where the Titanic was made. We should have stopped and gone to the museum- I used to be really into the Titanic. But anyways, we got back to Dublin without a hitch and grabbed dinner at Castle and Bull. I had the most delicious Steak and Guinnes Pie. Even Marito was jealous of my meal. Afterwards we walked to the Temple Bar area, and if you go to Temple Bar then you need to get a drink at The Temple Bar! I mean the block is named after this bar, might as well go find out why! We walked in and saw a tiny packed bar, but then quickly realized that it was sectioned off into many rooms. We grabbed our drinks and headed towards the live music. These two older guys were playing traditional feet stompin, hand clappin Irish music. It was such a feel good moment. Being there with my marito, drinking great drinks and listening to fun music. I can only wish that everyone can experience it! After a few drinks we ended our night.

The next day was our last day in Dublin. We slept in and walked around town, checking out the different shops and pubs. Our friends went to the Jameson Distillery, which they enjoyed but say the Guinness Storehouse is better. They bought a special 12 year blend of Jameson that you can only get at the distillery. A nice token to take back home and remember the trip.

We flew back to Gatwick, and caught the easyBus to the Tube. As we approach the Tube station I go to grab some cash and realize I left my purse on the bus!! I jump up and down, stamp my feet and yell $#*! $#*! $*! (not the f word). After realizing what had happened, marito drops his bags and sprints back to the bus stop. Fortunately the bus hadn't left and was able to get my purse and our passports and etc back. My frineds won't let me live that down.

We had one last full day in London. We got up early and caught a Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour. Little did we know that it was a big day in Parliament, and all of the legistlation was meeting (it happens only once a year). My friends really wanted to see the palace and the changing of the guards, so this was an added bonus. They ended up seeing the Queen, Prince Philip, and Prince Charles. While they were doing that, marito and I jumped off the bus and went back to Covent Gardens, where I did my best to spend the rest of our money.

Our last day was also my girlfriend's birthday, and she got to see the Queen. How rad? We went through the Hop-on Hop-off bus website and bought discounted theater tickets. We went to go see the show Rock of Ages, and I am soooo thankful that we did. I saw the movie, but the show is so much funnier and lighter. It's not kid appropriate, but if you need a great laugh, this show is totally worth every penny! It was a great way to end our vacation.

Our flight was set for 6 am the next day, which meant we needed to be there by 4, and to get there by 4 am we had to catch a bus at 3! Which meant we needed to catch a taxi at 230 to get to the bus because the Tube was closed until 530 am. Why am I telling you this? Because when you travel in a foreign country, you need to know how to get to and from the airport and how long it is going to take you. So with only about 2 hours of sleep we said our good byes to London and made way to Bella Napoli. Fortunately we had this weekend to catch up on sleep. After a busy vacation like this one, a staycation was definitely welcomed! Just remember, when you make youre trip to London, don't forget to Mind The Gap!

If you have questions about this trip, feel free to message me on facebook.com/caseyclaire

London and Dublin Trip Pt 1

I just came back from the best vacation I have had in a very very very long time. Marito hasn't really traveled and done the tourist thing, except for a trip to New York City and his port calls from deployments. So going to London and Dublin where there is plenty to do and no language barrier was a bonus for planning our first big trip.  We've been here for 9 full months now, and it's time we started to make some big trips that we plan on our own (no MWR or USO Tours).

We decided to go with another couple, so we could split hotel costs and share the experience. London is a very expensive city! So make sure to save save save before you go!

Westminister

Our first day there, we checked into our hotel (The Holiday Inn Express Swiss Cottage- free breakfast!) then quickly made our way to The Tube (metro system) and found ourselves at the front door to Parliament. The sun was starting to set and reflected so perfectly off the gold accents of the Elizabeth Tower. You don't know what the Elizabeth's Tower is? It's better known as Big Ben, but in actuality Big Ben is the bell, housed inside the tower. You could probably win a few bets at a bar with that little fact.

Snapping a few pictures as we walked across the bridge, we made our way to the London Eye. Bought tickets to ride this massive ferris wheel as well as attend the London Dungeon walk through show. You can also buy tickets for the Aquarium and Wax Museum at discounted prices. The London Eye gives you the most impressive views of the city beneath you, and it's a short 30 minute ride. It's a must do for first timers.

Soho

The sun set and I knew of the perfect place to go for a little excitement. Back story first! When I was 13, my mom and I came out to London. As we explored the city and walked around Piccadilly Circus (a mini version of Times Square) we ended up in a not so age appropriate area called Soho. Needless to say mom booked it out of there. Now that I am 25 and find this sort of thing amusing more than scary, I was on a mission to "get lost in Soho" again. It wasn't that hard to find. I definitely got a chuckle out of the woman talking to a man beside the strip club wearing a red velvet cape that covered everything except her stilettos. I also giggled when I saw signs for massage parlors and of course the bright neon XXX signs. We didn't go into any shops or clubs, I just wanted to "explore" the neighborhood again because at 13... I didn't understand what my mom was trying to protect me from. So Thanks Mom for protecting my innocence!

Oxford Street and Covent Gardens

The next day Marito and his friend went to play golf at a virtual golfing range called Urban Golf. They played at St. Andrews which is where the pros play (except this was a video game). While the boys played, us girls went to Oxford Street and shopped! We walked in and out of many stores, trying on clothes and observing the new fashion trends. We also went to Covent Gardens which is a market district. They weren't open yet when we went down there, but it's my favorite place and don't you worry, I made it back down there before we left.

Covent Gardens is full of vendors selling t-shirts, bracelets, scarfs, hand made trinkets, street performers, and some regular shopping. Again, mom took me here 12 years ago and it is still my favorite spot in London. I met a vendor who wanted to sell me a yellow scarf and I wasn't having it! He said it matches my shirt, and after he realized I wasn't buying we just got to talking. Really nice guy. I ended up going back a couple days later to buy the yellow scarf from him because he left a good memory for me. Maybe he conned me- it doesn't matter, I wanted to support his business. I'm happy with my yellow scarf and the memory I have with it. I also wore yellow to match the picture mom took 12 years ago.


Marito and I had time to kill, so we walked to the Tower Bridge (not the London Bridge).  Tower Bridge seriously looks like something from a fairy tale. It's majestic and beautiful. We snapped some pictures and headed back to the hotel. For tomorrow was a long day ahead of us.

Windsor Castle, Bath and Stone Henge

Through Viator.com our friends and ourselves had booked a 12 hour tour to go see Windsor Castle, Bath, and Stonehenge. 

Windsor Castle looks to be what you expect a castle to look like. It is the home of the Queen when she is not in London. Her flag was flying over head which meant that she was in the house! This castle has a 17 foot tall doll house! It is also has a church that is the resting place of King Henry the 8th, Jane Seymore and his daughter from Queen Anne. I found this very exciting since I just started watching The Tudors HBO series- King Henry the 8th was definitely a player back in the day- I was told in college that he died from syphilis!! We were able to see the changing of the guards while we were there, and we walked around the small town and checked out the shops. I love window shopping if you can't tell.

Next was Bath, gorgeous Bath. The Roman Bath house was built at the source of a natural hot spring. You get to walk throughout this ancient house, see what used to be saunas, and massage rooms, and even sit beside the largest bath pool. The water is now green and full of algae. That's because the roof is no longer in place and the sun hitting the water encourages the growth of algae. So they recommend you don't touch the water. You can see tunnels of water flow still to this day, and there is a spot where you can taste the clean algae free water. To me, it is what I would expect water to taste like after boiling eggs. Lot's of minerals in the water, including sulfur. But no one is asking you to drink a gallon of it! Just sample it and be on your way if you please.


In the history books, you see pictures of huge massive rocks to form Stonehenge. Well these rocks ARE huge and they ARE massive, but seeing them in person I was expecting them to be more huge and massive. When you arrive at Stonehenge you get a free audio guide (they are free at the other two places on the tour too) and you get to walk around this mysterious creation. The only time you can actually walk into the center of Stonehenge is during the Winter and Summer Solstice. Stonehenge works as a Sundial, yet it is still uncertain if it was used solely for solar purpose. I personally like to think Aliens did it, only because I enjoy a little bit of controversy. Totally worth the trip to see Stonehenge! I mean how often are you going to be in England?

London Dungeon

As I mentioned before, my friends and I bought tickets to the London Dungeon, which just moved from being over by the London Bridge to being over by the London Eye (more centrally located). The walk through is enjoyable. You get involved with stories such as Jack the Ripper, and Sweeney Todd. The actors pick people out of the crowd and throw you into a jail cell, or make you go on trial for being a traitor. Funny, and probably not appropriate or enjoyable for kids (they wouldn't get the humor). Just keep in mind that the first few minutes involves a small water ride- where they shoot a cannon and water spits out at you. We DID NOT know water was involved and were not happy because we got soaked. Water flooded the boat and my shoes were soaked as were my jeans for the rest of the tour (and night). Other than being thankful that our phones didn't get wet and upset about being cold and wet, the tour is really fun. If I had known it involved water I would have worn different clothes and taken better precautions. But now YOU KNOW! No scary drops, or anything like that to the water ride, just some story telling and water cannon shooting!

London Tower

Down the road from the Tower Bridge is London Tower. Where many people were beheaded and also home of the Royal Jewels, or as one of the Beefeaters called them... The Queens' Bling! We were told stories of the various monarchs, including my favorite.. Henry IIX. They have told these stories so many times, that they deliver thier punch lines just perfectly, and the tour is really enjoyable! I went on this tour 12 years ago and I just didn't care. I didn't understand the humor, nor did I have the interest or attention span. I was 13! So I am very grateful to have gone back and enjoy the history behind it all

The quick Yomen tour ends at the Church within the Castle Walls, where Anne Boelynn is laid to rest. She was the first scandal that Henry IIX encountered- going against the Pope to divorce his wife to marry Anne. Very fascinating story about Henry and Anne. Anywho, after seeing the elaborate Royal Jewels we went to the White Tower and saw even more interesting things. Armor, cannons, gifts (including my next gun! It's bedazzeled) and even a dragon made out of various scraps. Super interesting and totally worth visiting.

The day we left to go to Dublin it was May 4th. May the Fourth be with you! As we walk across the beautiful Tower Bridge to kill time before our flight, we saw party bikes. What is a party bike you ask? it is a platform that a sober person (tour guide) steers, and then you have about 10 people on bikes, pedaling and drinking alcohol. The best part? The people dressed in Star Wars costumes! It was a very fun sight!

It was now time for us to catch our flight to Dublin, and how appropriate was it that we were flying on May the Fourth and I was sent a picture of Guinness, and "going to the dark side." See picture attached.

See next post for part 2 of our trip!