Day 1 18th April 2011

First day in Dublin and after 28 hours to get here, first lesson learnt was even in a recession a reception clerk at an average hotel would take advantage of a tourist. Or so he tried. The room rate had doubled from the online quoted rate by showing up to the desk. So lesson learnt! Book before entering.

http://www.graftoncapital-hotel.com/ its not a bad place to stay and very central.

The city is rather beautiful with a mixture of old and new architecture being blended. Although, in parts not allot of thought had gone into it. Many Happy snaps but the one noticeable fact is, there seem to be very few “Irish” accents. The hotel I am staying seems to have allot of eastern-European staff who are not very familiar with the streets or the language. I wonder how many people have the same perception of Sydney for e.g.?

Other items to note was the lack of WIFI or Internet café’s and that is probably reflected by the large number of unoccupied commercial property. It is clearly visible that Ireland is in financial crisis. Albeit that the pubs were full at night but that could be Aussies and kiwis and Americans whom I have seen in abundance already.

Walked into the museum that had several masterpieces and it is elating being surrounded by such beauty and silence; the enormity of it is humbling and serene.
http://www.museum.ie/en/homepage.aspx

It is definitely the case of Absence makes the heart go fonder and not out of sight out of mind. Seeing kids run around reminds me of my own and I am sure to keep missing them. Especially that I am unable to recharge my phone to will await getting to Scotland and getting a sim to roam with.

The Auld at Dub http://www.thesmithgroup.ie/aulddubliner/index.html
and the very infamous “Temple bar” http://www.thetemplebarpub.com/
are two establishments at which I had my two favourite beers being Guinness & Kilkenny. There are sure a few more to be had while I am in the land of the leprechauns ☺

I must be also getting ready for Spain as I had a very long siesta body recovered sleep after walking all over the city and the drinks were fab not to mention the Irish really seem to have beautiful folk lore music and superb singing voices.