Today, driving went much better. No one was killed in the driving of us to Dublin today.
After a breakfast at Bernd's apartment, we headed out to Dublin. After an eternity of
guiding to the highway, guided by our Sat-Nav (named Jane, according to Bernd), we headed on the N7 to Dublin. This highway was like the ones yesterday, only not as crazy. Then, we found highway magic in the M7. This was as close to a US highway as I have found. It was only 2 lanes in each direction, but it was truly a higher speed with a top speed limit of 120 KPH. The Micra was even able to reach these speeds without disintegrating.
This took us most of the way to Dublin, where it ended in a ton of traffic. It reminded me of when you go to Washington DC and the highway just ends in traffic lights. This was the same. Eventually, we got to Dublin proper and made our way to the hotel.
Since we figured we only have one night in Dublin and that this could be the only time we might ever be here, we went all out and stayed at the Clarence Hotel, which is owned by Bono and The Edge of U2. This is not a cheap hotel, but it is literally in the heart of Dublin, and if you only have one day here then this is the best way to do it. We even got a room with a view of the river, and for the first time ever, got a personal tour of the hotel when we checked in. What was really funny was that parking is valet. Ponder this. Valet Parking for a Nissan "Clown Car" Micra.
Lunch was at Gallaghers Boxey House, where we both had an Irish Stew which was amazing. From there, we basically saw every major attraction in town, including seeing the Book of Kells at Trinity College (which had an actual college campus vs. Pace University where I went) which is a manuscript from a monastary during the dark ages and a library that literally looks like the one from Harry Potter. We also saw the actual St. Patrick's Church, wandered through the Dublin Museum and even wound up on a street called Cow's Lane.
Dinner, was at a place called Jacob's Ladder, which is actually listed in guidebooks, another first for us. What was really amazing is that they didn't rush you here. Dinner literally took us about 3 hours to eat, that doesn't happen in NY.
To finish things off, we headed back to the hotel and ventured into the Octagon Bar where I had the most expensive cocktail I have ever had. The 18(!) Euro Mojito. Granted, this did include peanuts.
So, yeah, it was a full day.
Tomorrow, all I know is that we check out, and that by the end of the day we'll be back in Limerick. What happens in between is up for grabs, but rumor has it we might be stalking Bono.
