Bus Rides, Walking, Visiting Places of Interest

Didn't start out too early this morning, especially since we were tired from traveling, etc. Good thing we went to breakfast after 9:30. There is a large group of 9-10-year-old students (English team of either hockey or football) staying here for 2 nights. They're not too bad but were running in the hallway last night, but not too late.


Breakfast was very good, included in our hotel plan... eggs (scrambled and fried/over easy), beans, tomatoes, sausage/bacon for the meat eaters (Found out they have veggie version which we'll have tomorrow.), cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, breads (yummy scones and croissants), juice, and coffee. Much better than a typical continental breakfast that many places offer. Attractive dining room. I'll take pictures on another day.

Walked about a block, turned corner, and waited at bus stop for about 10 minutes. Bus went directly to O'Connell Street so we could stop in at Bus HQ to get a free bus map. Map was not too helpful, with only the routes and not with streets or showing where the stops were. Steve later bought a better map, but not the best. We've been spoiled when going to other places that have very easy to understand transit maps. It will be a challenge the rest of the time we're here, but we'll manage.

We decided to visit the Dublin Writers Museum, free admission if using the Dublin Card. The audioguide had interesting stories about the many writers featured in the museum. In addition to well known James Joyce, Bernard Shaw, and William Butler Yeats, and Bram Stoker, we heard about other authors who made an impact in literature. A first edition of Stoker's Dracula was on display in addition to a signed copy of Joyce's Ulysses.

Lunch was a tasty prawn salad to share, with lots of veggies. We sat on a bench, watching the people walk by. Afterwards, we walked to the Customs House, no longer used for that but remains a government building. It's located across the street by the bank of the River Liffey. The bicycles in the picture are rental ones that you can ride throughout the city, leaving them at another outside rental location. With all the traffic in this city, it's not the way I'd want to get around.

Alongside the river, people stroll on the wooden walkways, enjoying the beauty of the river and the many bridges that cross it. We walked across a bridge to the other side and stopped in a gift shop. Sat down to visit with a new friend.


After a short stop at the Visitors Center to browse and use the restrooms, we walked to the nearby National Wax Museum, which relocated there in October. Figures of Beckett, Joyce, and Shaw were included, all very realistic looking. In each room we visited, there was a theme and an audio recording that explained the scene featured.

The downstairs area included a dungeon section with figures that are very recognizable.

 More figures upstairs, with a science area and a special children's section. A large room featured many performers, both real and characters. Of course, there's a gift shop. Most interesting was the person sitting next to the checkout counter. Not the very best wax museum I've visited (We visited Madame Tussauds in London.), but a good representation.




After walking to the bus stop to catch one back to the hotel, we saw Reads Bookstore and went in to check it out. Bought a French phrase book and Paris book (for next stop on this trip). By that time it was raining. Opened up the umbrellas and walked back across the street to wait for the bus. It was good to sit down on the ride back to the hotel area. 


Dinner at Kanum, a Thai eatery near the hotel. Delicious Pad Thai and Spring rolls. 

When we walked into the room, we saw that the mini fridge had been delivered. So, back out to Tesco to get some juice, fruit, cheese, and tea bags. Back in the room, made tea and ate a few buscuits. All the comforts...


The room is finally cooler than yesterday. Heat is no longer blasting. 


Tomorrow we will probably visit the Jameson Brewery and Guinness Storehouse. We're not driving.