{"id":79792,"date":"2024-05-23T00:26:11","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T07:26:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lilesnet.com\/dailydiary\/?p=79792"},"modified":"2024-06-03T05:43:44","modified_gmt":"2024-06-03T12:43:44","slug":"day-3-seeing-dublin-on-our-own","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lilesnet.com\/dailydiary\/?p=79792","title":{"rendered":"Day 3 – Seeing Dublin On Our Own!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our Irish Holiday: Day 1<\/a> – Day 2<\/a> – Day 3<\/a> – Day 4<\/a> – Day 5<\/a> – Day 6<\/a>
\nDay 7<\/a> – Day 8<\/a> – Day 9<\/a> – Day 10<\/a> – Day 11<\/a> – Day 12\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

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We have returned to normal. We were up and moving at 5:30 am, so we have adjusted to the new time zone.<\/p>\n

We got ready and dressed in our exploring attire. First, we had a light breakfast at the hotel, and then we went off to see Dublin on the Jump-On\/Jump-Off bus.\u00a0 For $40, you can spend all day on the bus, getting on and off at the various sights within the city.\u00a0 Such a deal!<\/p>\n

It was cold so we sat up top in front, enclosed but had a magnificent view.<\/p>\n

\"\"

We do not JUMP! We carefully board and un-board!<\/p><\/div>\n

Nobody knows where we go, not even us! The only requirement was that we must return to our hotel by 5:00 p.m. to prepare for the dinner show at 6:30 pm .<\/p>\n

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We saw everything! (Click for a full-sized map)<\/p><\/div>\n

We walked to the nearest pickup point, #6. Although the online app said it would take 9 minutes, it took us almost 25 minutes.\u00a0 \u00a0We did stop and take pictures.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Walk, walk, walk!<\/p><\/div>\n

The walk took us by the “Grand Canal”. There were barges on the canal with people living inside.<\/p>\n

The canal can be used by barges up to 12 feet in the beam.\u00a0 \u00a0The canal passes through 36 locks and crosses the River Liffey near Sallins on the Leinster Aqueduct, a stone structure of four arches designed by Richard Evans.\u00a0 \u00a0Commercial navigation ceased in 1960, but the main line remains open for recreational use.<\/p>\n

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Walking down the Grand Canal.<\/p><\/div>\n

They control the canal level using 36 different locks along its path.<\/p>\n

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Amazing water control.<\/p><\/div>\n

We waited for the bus to arrive. It was right on time and also very empty. We sat in the first seat at the top near the windshield. It was scary as the bus weaved in and out of traffic at a top speed of Warp Seven! The smell of burning tires lingered in the air, and the screeching sounds of rubber hitting the road were almost deafening. But we made it.<\/p>\n

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We were awaiting the bus as Mary studied the signage.<\/p><\/div>\n

Being upstairs right over the driver’s head was an eerie feeling.\u00a0 \u00a0We both stomped on the floor as if to hit the brakes but it didn’t work.\u00a0 \u00a0The driver wondered what was going on.\u00a0 Since they drive these big vehicles daily, the drivers know what they can and cannot do.<\/p>\n

\"\"

We could see everything.\u00a0 We are about to enter Warp One!<\/p><\/div>\n

Riding upstairs, we could see the effect of electronics on the city.\u00a0 \u00a0The buildings are “old” and completed before even radio came into being.\u00a0 They placed wires and cables needed in this digital age along the sides of the buildings.\u00a0 \u00a0Does the term “rat’s nest” come to mind?<\/p>\n

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Wires everywhere.<\/p><\/div>\n

Always clean your fireplaces and chimneys, or you will get gardens sprouting up.\u00a0 \u00a0Between the soot and bird droppings, the chimneys had rich soil on top.\u00a0 Most of the chimneys had weed and flower gardens growing at the top.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Clean your chimneys.<\/p><\/div>\n

We jumped off at the Guinness Distillery since we had a noon reservation.\u00a0 \u00a0We then discovered our tickets were for Jameson Distillery!\u00a0 It was already busy.<\/p>\n

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We were ready to go!<\/p><\/div>\n

Then we looked at the tickets, and they were for tomorrow! We had no tickets for Guinness at all; the tickets we had were for Jameson Whiskey Distillery! Oops!<\/p>\n

We told the bus driver about the situation, and he checked. Using this online app, he found nothing open today or tomorrow.<\/p>\n

After a few minutes of Mary crying alligator tears and me weeping, he went inside the Guinness building and motioned us inside.<\/p>\n

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It’s going to be OK, Mary!<\/p><\/div>\n

He had “pulled” a few strings, and we could buy tickets for tomorrow!\u00a0 We did and moma’s happy!\u00a0 He got a good tip!!<\/p>\n

We then headed to the Jameson facility and took the tour (we had tickets for Jameson).\u00a0 \u00a0It was founded by John Jameson in 1780, and today, the former factory is a monument to Irish whiskey.<\/p>\n

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It was like Disneyland; we ran through the front entrance like two little kids!<\/p><\/div>\n

Remember, “There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren’t as good as others.”<\/em><\/p>\n

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We are entering Jameson sober.<\/p><\/div>\n

We got a history lesson first and then entered the science room, where we learned about making whiskey.<\/p>\n

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I was getting the lowdown on making whiskey.<\/p><\/div>\n

The tasting room was our favorite.\u00a0 \u00a0Ask Mary about “the leg man.”\u00a0 We tasted three types of whiskey, and as usual, we decided on the best one.<\/p>\n

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Loads of interesting facts.<\/p><\/div>\n

We looked all over for the medical prescription glasses but alas, we will have to order them from Amazon!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

BAck on the bus, we completed the route and returned to #6.\u00a0 We returned to the hotel from the #6 stop (where we began today’s journey).<\/p>\n

At the corner by the bus stop was a bit of the Old West: the California Burrito Bar. We had to go inside and see if it was real! Read about the story behind this establishment.\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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WHAT?\u00a0 \u00a0 Taco-Bell look-alike?<\/p><\/div>\n

The burritos were great.\u00a0 \u00a0We shared one burrito, which was plenty for each of us.<\/p>\n

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The cooks did a great job, and the burritos were super!<\/p><\/div>\n

We returned to the hotel at 2:00 pm. and at 4:00 pm, we went to have a drink before catching a cab to the Celtic Nights Show at the Arlington Hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n

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We arrived a tad early and went to the pub next door before the performance.<\/p><\/div>\n

The bar was part of the hotel, but when the theater doors opened, we had to go outside to enter the basement theater.<\/p>\n

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Decisions decision.<\/p><\/div>\n

At 6:30 sharp, the doors opened, and 150 of our closest friends joined us for the two-hour romp through Irish folk music.\u00a0 I might add that we carried the remaining wine with us\u2014without spilling a single drop!<\/p>\n