From Galway

Day 1 – Friday, Oct. 3
The morning was filled with a couple hours of work, then a trip to REI for some shoes and a watch. At noon, I spent a couple hours at Lenovo’s department outing, then went home to get everything together. I was back at Lenovo by 4:00 so recran could take me to the airport.

We left Lenovo parking lot at 4:10 and by 4:40 I was sitting at the gate; surprisingly quick for a Friday. RDU to PHL was no big deal. I ate Chickfila during the 1.5 hour layover, and jumped on the plane. I was lucky enough to get an emergency exit row, which, on this plane, basically let me stretch my legs out completely. Beside me sat a nice couple from Northern Ireland; my first introduction to the extremely nice and talkative Irish folk.

Day 2 – Saturday, Oct 4
We arrived a little early (8:30) in Dublin. I took my time getting cash, luggage, and finding the shuttle. It was about a 45 minute ride to the hotel for 7 Euro. Once there, they allowed me to go ahead and check in. Shower! Food! I ate a toasted ham and cheese sandwich, and a bit of potato leak soup, along with a pint of cidar. Figured I’d get that out of the way before joining the group. About an hour long nap followed that, and then I walked around the nearby college for awhile. Not much other exciting stuff around. My roommate came in about 5:00. Jimmy is a nice fellow from New Zealand, on a multi-leg trip, including London, Belfast, this trip, then two weeks in western USA. At 7:30 we join the whole group in the hotel restaurant for a nice three course meal: mushroom soup, chicken/potatos, and ice cream. Afterwards, we all head over to the next door bar for a pint of Guiness. The majority of folks are from Australia, New Zealand, or Canada. There is a couple folks from New Mexico, and one from California. All the Americans are on just the one week tour. EVERYONE else is on mutliple weeks. They always ask me where I’ve been or where I’m going next, and are surprised when I say this is my only week off. Without much sleep, I retired before most of the folks to try and catch up.

Day 3 – Sunday, Oct 5
After a quick buffet breakfast at the hotel, we loaded up the bus and hit the road at 9:00 sharp. If you miss the bus, you’re on your own. We took a 30 minute or so tour through what seemed to be a suburb of Dublin, ending at the Guiness factory, where most folks joined in for the optional tour (13 Euros). It was a self-guided tour through a seven story building with the open center shaped like a pint of Guiness. Each floor gave process or history of Guiness. The top floor was actually a “Gravity Bar”, with windows all around and a serving Guiness at the certer bar. Overall good tour. Was nice to have the process explained, and learn about making the barrels and transporting. Unfortunately, none of it took place in buildings where they actually made it. They were all next door. It would have been nice to see the equipment.

After another short 15 minute drive, we arrived at Kilmainham Gaol, an old prison with a lot of Ireland revolutionary history. The guided tour was just for the Contiki group, and included with the the week’s trip. Nice - since the place books out a year in advance. After getting back on the bus, I enjoyed a pre-packaged chicken and stuffing sandwich bought earlier at Guiness.

The trip to Galway was longer then expected (3+ hours) because we ran through a town having a fair. It was a huge open field next to town full of horses and people (probably in equal numbers). Also, there was a couple of fair rides and fair food. The hotel is in Oranmore, a suburb of Galway. It’s a Ramada, and I think Ikea got ahold of the place.

After an hour break at the hotel, we got back on the bus for a 10 minute drive into Galway. It’s a touristy town, so eating out is quite expensive. The tour guide suggested a place, and most of went. I had a burger on a bed of mash, with fried onions on top. It was quite tasty.

Tomorrow is a full day in Galway. I'll be taking a side trip to a non-commercialized nearby island, which should have some fantastic sites.

Cheers!