Today is a traveling day and a long one at that. I woke up early by the cyclists. Many left their room at 6am to grab an early breakfast. I got out of bed at 7am and got ready and packed. I had breakfast and left the hotel a little after 8am. I walked down to the bus station and caught the next bus to Eyre Square. I got there are at around 8:20 and the bus ticket office didn't open until 8:30.
After I got my ticket, Galway to Dingle cost €27 and takes three buses, I waited around for the express bus to Limerick. At Limerick, I waited over an hour to grab the bus to Tralee. We had a little hiccup on the way. And elderly man forgot this bus pass and the driver refuse to let him on the bus because the man couldn't pay. Someone wanted to pay for him but he refused and said that someone will pay the bus driver in Tralee. The driver had to call the garda since the man refused to get off the bus. He was the first one on and everyone was waiting. The garda didn't arrive till ten minutes after and the man just went with them when they asked. We were a little late in getting to Tralee. I had about 5 minutes before catching the Dingle bus. The bus ride to Dingle was worth the long trip getting there. Everything is so green and beautiful. We even saw the coast of a while. I was sitting on the wrong side of the bus but I saw it just the same. Hopefully, I can take some pictures on my way back to Tralee.
Once I got into Dingle at a little after 15:00, I made my way to the b&b which was pretty easy, less than 5 minutes from the bus stop. I was thinking of taking a nap but I thought why not go out when everything is open and take a nap after dinner since pubs don't start their jamming session until 21:30. So, I went walking around town, and is a small town, following Rick Steves' walking guide. I saw a lot of restaurants but they didn't open till 17:00 and since Dingle is a fishing village most have fresh fish. So I just walked around, got some little souvenirs and went to the TI. I asked the TI if they had any cycling trails and the person showed me the big loop around the peninsula, about 50km long. The problem was that there are not biking trails and have to use the same roads as cars and those roads are narrow. Then I asked about walking tours or walking to Slead Head because that should be a stop to go when in Dingle. Apparently, it's a long walk and would be on the road. So, I'm thinking of use renting the bike tomorrow and cycling around anyways.
However, this lady behind me overheard and asked about a guided driving tour. There was one available and would cost €20 each with a minimum of two people. The lady asked if I want to do that since she was traveling by herself too. I said OK and now I'll be on a driving tour tomorrow. It's going to be great. After booking, the lady and I started talking, she was from Canada too, by Vancouver Island. Apparently, she has been traveling for 7 months on her year long trip. She's from this program, where she host people from different countries to work a little around the place and she would show them around for free room and board. Apparently, she's now visiting people that visited her. She said that she spent 4 months in India at four different cities. Spent some time in the UK and Ireland and will be going to Spain for a month and then back to Canada starting on the east coast and working her way back home. It sounds so interesting. Maybe I'll look into this program and check it out. She said she will give her contact tomorrow if I'm interested in spending time on the west coast. She's also a message therapist and does a lot of yoga.
After our chat, we left our separate ways each checking different shops but we'll see each other tomorrow. I just browse a few shops and before I know it, it was 17:00 and dinner time. I was very hungry by then since I didn't eat lunch. I went back to the Chinese restaurant, they are in every town so far I've seen, and had some Chinese. I miss Chinese food now. I had sweet and sour pork with plain rice. They cooked it differently. The pork wasn't battered and a little crispy, probably lightly deep fried. It was good, can't tell which I like more...one at home or here.
After dinner, I walked past the b&b to see if I could find the trail that leads to where the famous dolphin hangs out. I found it but didn't go on it since it would take about 1.5 to 2 hours to walk the loop. I just returned to the b&b for a little nap. I was going to go to a pub and listen to some traditional irish music. I left at 21:00 and went to O'flaherty's. They have good music as recommended by rick Steves and the b&b. I got there a little early and only a few people were there. The music didn't start until 22:00 and that's when the place got busy. I just sat at the the bar with my coke and then orange juice and just listened. It was very good music, three musicians just playing away. There weren't a lot of tourists hanging around. I think they went to a different pub. I was going to go one other one and was quite a bit farther down the street. At 23:00, I just left and headed back to the b&b.
Tomorrow's agenda: Touring about Dingle peninsula
I want the life of the Vancouver Island lady... is she independently wealthy or something?!
ReplyDeleteI don't think she's wealthy. She does own a lot of acres of land and people come work for her for free in exchange of room and board and being a good host. She just spends months living with people that have lived with her.
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