European Trip Day 2 Dublin

Dublin

We were very impressed with our overnight stay at the Park Inn by Radisson last night. We had a brilliant night's sleep in their comfy bed (WHY do hotels provide pillows so few and so thin?) and it was so quiet! Especially considering we were within cooee of one of the biggest airports in the world. We almost feeling human again, despite the swollen ankles from the flight.

We had our breakfast in the hotel coffee bar, not willing to be confronted by a full English breakfast. Good decision - just right. (Eggs benedict received Barb's tick of approval. Just thought you should know.)

We then went in search (no WE didn't - John was sent off while Barb checked her messsages!) of the shuttle bus to the airport. It's a great service and only cost six pounds each. We got to the airport waaay ahead of schedule for our flight. But ...

... we knew something was wrong when when the machine refused to let us DIY check in. On speaking to a human it was explained to us that the previous flight had been overbooked which in turn affected seat availability on our flight. Bummer! John said he was willing to up-grade to First Class. Not available (the nice man smiled  rather weakly). Barb offered to sit on the pilot's knee and co-drive (the nice man smiled  rather weakly, again). They declined. Oh well....next step was to go through and wait near the gate and hope for the best - we were given unassigned boarding passes to get through security (if that makes sense). 

After two trips to the information counter we were finally issued with real boarding passes, just as the passengers were being called to board the plane. Is this what they call "flying by the seat of your pants?"

Barb pretending not having
a ticket is no worries

Ah! BYO seat. What a good idea!

Pret a Manger does this to you!

Add caption

John hates selfies, but does not

Unusually, Barb had a window seat ...

... again... 

and got a little carried away ...

... and again

... and again again

AH! The green fields of Dublin airport

Because of the uncertainty of when we'd get to Dublin, we called Jan and Nick as they would be waiting at our apartment in Dublin to check in. It was booked in Barb's name and they'd previously told us Barb would have to present her credit card and ID before they let anyone in.

Luckily they bent that rule and let Jan and Nick in when she offered to pay on her credit card. Phew!

In the end we arrived around five pm to find Jan and Nick waiting outside the apartment near the Five Lamps pole, for which our apartment is named. The taxi driver immediately identified Jan as Barb's sister as he thought they looked so alike. No wonder Facebook's "facial recognition" has trouble telling us apart.

Sadly, because we had been delayed, Barb had cancelled a possible catch-up with Julie, one of her work colleagues from Maleny Neighbourhood Centre who's also been holidaying in Ireland. They leave for home tomorrow.

Instead we walked down to the nearest restaurant that looked okay and we happened upon a complete gem (well done Jan) - an Italian restaurant which was packed full. The waitress took our phone number and called us when they had a table, while we walked across the road to a very quaint Irish pub!

John and Nick wanted to try the local Guinness while Jan and Barb stuck to Diet Coke. They both had a sip....but that was enough!

Not too easy to see, but kids were swimming in the lock

Three out of four ain't bad

Cousins at the bar

Two old biddies in the bar

Ah, Guinness!

The pub

True to her word the waitress called and we had a table right near the huge wood-fired pizza kiln.

The food was absolutely delicious too! I think it'll be take away pizza from there again tonight.

In the Italian restaurant

That's us!

Our chef

The area where Five Lamps Suites is situated is less than salubrious. There was a drunk literally falling down in the street outside, and ragamuffin kids zooming round on their bikes late at night, but the apartment itself is very nice.

 

And there are even free washing machines and driers(!) as well as a well-appointed kitchen. It will suit for our stay, especially as it's only ten minute's walk into the city from here.

One of the nearby unit blocks