With all the things to do and see in Dublin this was one of the ports we planned nothing. We figured we would walk into the city, hop on a hop off bus, after we had hopped on that is, see the city and sights and go from there.
When and if you check out the pictures you will see we were in a commercial shipping area. Celebrity had several busses lined up just outside the ship. This was the first decision we had to make. The cost for the bus was sixteen dollars each charged to our sea pass card. After our long, long walk in Le Havre we decide to go for a bus. I guess it was close to eight thirty or nine when we boarded and were on our way into downtown Dublin. The shuttle was supposed to drop us near Trinity College and of course, shopping. It would run each way every fifteen minutes all day.
How exciting, we were on our way, a full bus of eager travelers, going to explore the city. I don’t think I mentioned the weather? It was actually pretty nice, fairly warm and sunny. Wanda and I were both in shirtsleeves, as well as the rest of the shirt, and pants too. We were in for a real surprise.
The first thing we noticed after making the long drive out of the shipping yard, traffic, everywhere, lots of it. The second thing clouds. I’m sure you all know the expression "hindsight is twenty-twenty". Looking back on this now we should have gotten off that bus, walked back to the ship, grabbed some warm cloths and started again. Of course we didn’t do that, if we had, I wouldn’t be writing about it now. What we did is stay on that bus for a very long time. We thought there had to be an accident or some problem ahead since we moved about a bus length every few minutes. We were astonished, there just had to be something wrong, and there wasn’t. Driving around Dublin the traffic is insanely heavy EVERYWHERE. I don’t know how long we sat on that bus but we moved about a block with each light change. Wanda figures once we hit that traffic we moved a mile or so in thirty minutes.
Have you ever walked onto a line and had no idea what you were waiting for? How about sitting somewhere when you were uncomfortable but not moving? Or watching a live show that was bad but not leaving, as you didn’t want to slight anyone? Take all of those things together that’s what we felt on the bus. Finally someone got up and asked off while we were sitting in traffic, we were right behind them. Now we were out on the street with no idea where we were and of course I didn’t ask where the pick up point was. It was also pretty darn cold, cloudy, and we had a cold breeze.
Before we left home we went on-line and did buy tickets for the hop on hop off bus. In Dublin you need to take your print out into the main ticket office and pick up the passes for the bus. The first stop is a short walk down the busy street and around a corner. I know you will probably think I am making this up, I promise you I am not. Lost, I couldn’t even figure out how to read the street signs and these were in English. We were both cold and starting to gripe at each other some, I was going to forgo my macho "I don’t need to ask directions" and just do it, so I did. I walked up to the next person I saw, she was huddled in a doorway, out of the breeze. I walked right up and said, "could you please help us, we are trying to get to this address on Blah Street?" She was very nice but deaf (PC/ hearing impaired).
One of the things we learned while visiting London and Dublin, there are Starbucks and coffee shops everywhere. For the cost of a coffee you can use the john, get directions, and warm up so it’s not a bad deal. We did all of that then went on our way.
We eventually did all the right things and boarded the bus to begin our circuit of Dublin. It was interesting seeing the sights but neither of us felt like jumping off and going through anything. It was uncomfortable upstairs on the open deck; it began to rain at one point. It was stuffy downstairs, the traffic was everywhere and we found most everything gray and gloomy. I wonder how we would have felt had it been a nice sunny day? Of course we drove by all the "hot spots" our driver Tim keeping up a running commentary that included several long renditions of popular Irish folk songs. Tim also regaled us with many of the rules and regulations concerning the drinking of beer. "They say a pint a day is good for you." "During the week I do not drink because of my driving job." Then he said, "however, on Saturday and Sunday I have seven each for good measure." He also told us he lived eight miles outside of town and at times his drive took two hours, I believe it. After a couple of hours driving the circuit we jumped off thinking we would pick up some sweatshirts or sweaters.
If you like to shop there is a huge pedestrian open air "mall" like area on Grafton Street. We discovered the pick up point was pretty close so we did a little exploring. We saw some beautiful things; however, we were looking for a place that was a cross between Target and Penny’s. It soon became obvious we just were not in the mood to do anything but get back to the bus and back on Constellation.
Departure was scheduled for six; we got back around one. I guess I shouldn’t say we found nothing likeable in Dublin, but we didn’t. The history and story of the many buildings, places, and people is remarkable. I know we passed up some once in a lifetime experiences and we have no problem with that. I think what really hit us was all of the construction, the traffic, and the people and it was a little scary. We saw the same in London, the new construction mixing with but almost overtaking the historic old. We live outside San Francisco are very aware of "going green." Recycling and conservation is something we have been practicing for years. Our world was much smaller before we made this trip to Europe. It’s now much larger, Our "problems" and "issues" have expanded and become global. I didn’t like feeling like this on vacation; it was, and is, an inconvenient truth.
We eventually found our way back to the ship feeling chilled to the bone. One of the joys of cruising is the nice hot water in the shower. We both jumped in, separately, we have been married twenty years and I don’t think two can tango in those shower stalls. Ok, here is something to think about if I may digress. The ships have the "Save the Ocean" signs in the bathrooms. If you want clean towels leave them on the floor, if you can use them again, hang them up. Heck, I don’t use a bath towel just once at home I can use the ships a couple of times. Has anyone ever had a room steward leave his or her old towels alone? I’ve left them on the rack, the line in the shower, the counter, even the chair in the cabin; they always switch them out. If you know something I don’t, please let me know.
So night four of the dinner merry-go-round found our just formed party of eight, from night three, down to six. One of the couples found the late seating just plain uncomfortable. They had been touring around England on their own for a week or so prior to the cruise. This was a pretty intensive first several days and they wanted to finish up early and I can’t blame them. I don’t recall what the dinner offers were but we were all satisfied and headed out around ten thirty or so.
This evening was the first production show "Spotlight Broadway." We almost always have problems making these shows scheduled at 7pm, tonight was no exception. The movie this evening was "Failure to Launch." I avoided this movie in November of last year and passed again. Honestly, there is something very wrong with a film co-starring Terry Bradshaw, enough said.
No Karaoke, no disco. Our next day’s arrival time was 7am so we went to our cabin and "hit the sack." Over this evening we would travel the one hundred eighty nautical miles to Cork.
Cruise Pictures Day 1-4
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