DAY 73-74 - Dublin

Oh for bus stop instructions, if only there was only one bus stop at Sprucefields then our day would have started a whole lot easier...We all said goodbye to Bert and Ruby and then took "Captain Kirt" for our last drive. Thinking that it would be easier, Nicole and Jess were dropped off at the bus stop with most of the gear and Abby and Kath went and took the car back to Enterprise to then be dropped off back to the bus stop so we could all get on the bus to Dublin. The idea was good however the implementation of this was not quite so smooth. Little did we know that the bus stop Kath and Abby dropped the other two off at was the wrong stop. The right stop was about 1.5km up the road. After talking to some locals and realising we were at the wrong stop Jess and Nicole had the task of lugging 4 day packs, 3 main bags, 2 travel pillows and a partidge in a pear tree from one stop to the other. As the footpath came all too quickly to an end, we were reminded of the "Going on a bear hunt" song.

We going on a bus stop hunt,

We are trying to find the right one.

What a beautiful rainy day...

We're not scared!

Oh no, a roundabout... a three laned roundabout.

We can't go over it, we can't go under it, we'll have to go though it...

And that is what we did!

Knowing that it was probably a little silly to try and get a taxi to take us from one side of the round about to the other, two girls transformed into two packhorses, carrying around 40kgs each. Slightly overtired, and adrenaline pumping through our veins, we picked our time and then made the quick dash, or should I say hasty waddle across to the middle of the roundabout, and then across the otherside. We made it across the roundabout just to see Abby and Kath casually getting out of the car at the right bus stop oblivious to the stress and perilous danger their counterparts had just faced.

Needless to say, next time... if there is a next time, we will probably take the taxi option.

The bus to Dublin was nothing too major except for being stopped before the border and a passport check took place. So yes aparently there is border control between Northern Ireland and the Rupublic of Ireland.

Dublin Castle

The day continued to be a day of walking, after a 45 minute walk across town from the bus station to the hostel we then went on a free walking tour around the city. This was similar to the tour we went on in Edinburgh and Daniel our guide was very informative and passionate about his home city.

Fake stables erected to 'improve the view' (hide some slums) when the Queen came to stay at Dublin castle

Facts about Dublin you may or may not know. . .

The Temple Bar area originally didn't have cobbled streets, these were put in to make it look pretty and appeal to the tourists.

The Pope (God bless him) assigned a bishop to the Christchurch Cathedral, however it is a protestant cathedral and doesn't actually need one. Technically the bishop is paid to do nothing.

Christchurch Cathedral

When U2 weren't quite so famous they were kicked out of the Clarence Hotel after one of their gigs. They were so disgusted at being kicked out they vowed that one day they would be rich and famous would come back to purchase the hotel. True to their word, Bono and The Edge have purchased the Clarence Hotel and enjoy staying there when in town.

Our guide Daniel... who kind of reminded us of Skinny

When in Trinity College at noon on any given Wednesday, if one was so inclinded they could shot a Catholic out on the street from a window above the main entrance. Upon killing the person one would remain safe until they left the college grounds.