Safari So Good

“There’s nothing so bad that it couldn’t be worse.”  Irish Proverb

Amanda, my step-daughter, was due to join us for the first week of this trip.  She left Bozeman, Montana, around the same time we left California — but flying through New Jersey to Dublin.  We were in San Francisco when we heard from her that her flight from Jersey to Dublin was cancelled due to mechanical problems! The next available flight was the following day.  Since there was nothing we could do, we continued on our way.  Amanda, however, took advantage of bad luck and went into New York City to have pizza and check out Times Square.  Way to make lemonade out of lemons!  She finally arrived in Dublin Saturday morning and the four of us (Lexi was on a tour to a local farm with her internship buddies) toured the city on a Do Dublin hop on-hop off bus.  We stopped to have lunch at a pub (seriously, all the food is in the bars; well, at least MOST of the food) and happened upon a large group of young men having a bachelor party.  The groom-to-be was made to dress in a dinosaur costume, which was hilarious.  One of the group – Tom from Scotland – was quite taken with Kenzie and talked her into giving him her Facebook name.  He friended her before the day was out!

Look who finally showed up! Our Montana girl.

Lunch at Slattery’s Pub

A guy in a dinosaur costume!  You don’t see that every day.  

“May the strength of three be in your journey.”  Irish Toast

The three of us — Karen Ann, Kenzie and I — head out mid morning on Thursday, June 21st to the Sacramento airport for the first leg of our trip to Dublin.  We’re headed to San Francisco!  It’s a small plane and I am seated next to a friendly young man, Dakota from Idaho (of course, they’re all young when compared to someone in her 60’s) who chats with me for most of the trip.

Short flight from Sac to SF. That’s my new buddy, Dakota from Idaho.

Just a short 35 minutes and we arrive.  We have over an hour to get to the International Terminal and are headed there when we hear our names announced over the loud speakers!  In a panic we rush to the Aer Lingus gate only to learn they are simply trying to verify the number of passengers because they are filled and have people waiting for standby.

SF Airport – Aer Lingus

KarenAnn and Kenzie ready to go!  We boarded early.  

After a long line at Customs and a wait for the rental car, we headed to our Hotel.  Driving in Ireland is quite a challenge.  KarenAnn navigated while I drove.  I just kept saying out loud – stay on the left, stay on the left…not that hard in a line of cars, but the left turns are tricky.  It seems natural to head to the right side of the road, but thank goodness I managed to stay left!  Once we checked into the Jury’s Inn Christchurch, we headed out (walking) to see some of the sights and sounds of Dublin.

The view from our room – Christchurch – so pretty!

Lexi found us!

Lunch of fish and chips

Kenzie, KarenAnn and Lexi in front of a cute Irish Cafe.

The infamous Temple Bar!

Another view from our room. Amanda and I are in one room and KarenAnn and Kenzie are just down the hall.

I am not a beer drinker, but this cider beer is light and delicious!

This is a banofee tart – that’s banana and toffee and it was as good as it looks.