Howth and 2010 Countdown

31/12/2009

As our room is equip with 2 warmers, we did have a comfy sleep in the cold winter. We wake up around 7.30am and had the sandwiches i bought last night and hot coffee in our room. After dressing up for our outdoor activities, we take a short walk around our hotel and discovered that Hard Rock Cafe is only 1 block from our hotel near to the famous pub street.


At Hard Rock Cafe Dublin, i look so fat in the thick winter clothes





Mummy posing at the fancy pub at Temple Street



One of the landmark at Temple Street, the Auld Dubliner



   

Lek posing at the Heineken HQ at the O'Connell Bridge



 

The skies still look very dull in Winter though its day time

As its still early in the morning, most shops at O'Connell Street are still close, we walk to the Luas Station at Abbey Street. Mum spotted a shop selling everything at €2 and decided to check it out. We bought some cookies and gummy sweet and i bought a super striking orange colour raincoat worry that it might rain this few days. We purchase another day pass for €7.50 as we'll travel by bus and Luas today. We first ride the Luas to Busaras to collect our Pre booked Euroline ticket to Manchester and here i made call and have a short talk with BB. Dublin city also have this pay PC and internet at bus stations and mall and i used it to send BB my daily updates like i always do. We then took the Luas to Connolly, and then take the Dublin Bus 31B to Howth Summit. 

 

Fist snow in Dublin, to be exact is Ice.

The bus stop for Bus 31B is not in the indoor station but a bus stop outside, so we gotta wait in the cold for 20 mins before the bus arrived. The Journey to Howth summit is quite far, Howth is a harbour town located outskirt of Dublin City. It takes 22 stops from Connolly to Howth Summit. Along the way, we spotted a lot of nice houses beside the shore... It must be real expensive to own a house there...



Beautiful Mansion in Howth

The Howth shoreline

I have to remember the landmark for us to alight on our return trip to take the dart to Sutton Cross and visit the harbour, the other 2 travellers are all depending on me... The bus reach to a stop at the Summit Inn. There are a few other passengers too are heading to the summit. Since its at uphill and near to the sea, the strong wind even makes the temperature colder.
We need to walk uphill to the best viewing point, actually there's nothing much to see at the top, maybe the winter doesn't make the view as colorful and breathtaking ...

The Summit

We saw a cute little doggy at the Summit, it plays with the tourist...

Me at the highest point

Mum at the highest point

Since there are nothing at the peak, and the chilling wind is too strong, we just snap a few photos and quickly rush down to the bus stop lucky that the bus has not yet leave and we manage to catch it back to head to Marine Hotel and walk to the Dart station at Sutton Cross. Dart is the intercity train in Dublin whereas Luas only serve location in the city. We bought a Dart ticket that cost us €1.65 to Sutton. We alight the Dart and walk passed a row of fish and seafood market to the Howth Harbour.

 

 

 Howth Marina and Yatch Club is also located in this town. Away from the harbour itself there is much to recommend Howth. Historians will love the ruined abbey, nearby Baily Lighthouse and 15th Century castle. You can take a bracing stroll along the piers,  Of course Howth’s working fishing port means that fish and seafood lovers are absolutely spoil when it comes to dining out and the pub scene is second only to Dublin itself, if a little more relaxing.

Me at the Fisher Cross at Howth Harbour

The Howth Marina

The shore where we enjoy our super chilling winter sea breeze

Superb View at Howth Head.

After the walk along the shore and admiring the yachts and ships, mum is making noise and wanted food, we intended to take a seafood meal in Howth but worry that it will cost us a bomb. We seen that meals here can cost up to €20++. So we decided to head back to the town and look for food. We walk back to Sutton station with hungry stomach and take the Dart back to Connolly which cost us €2.30. We couldn't find any food near the Connolly Station thus i have to bring my grumpy mother and brother back to Temple street for food.

We stop by at a Restaurant at Aston Quay call Fitzgerald for lunch. The Dubliner are funny, they started to drink even at lunch, maybe they even consume beer at Breakfast. I ordered a set consist of Hot Potato soup and chicken sandwich which cost me €5, mum ordered the same and Lek order a chicken chop with Heineken Beer. Nothing beats the satisfaction of having warm meals in the cold winter. After the meal, Lek decided to go back to hotel to sleep while my and mum will head to St. Stephen Greens for shopping.

Fitzgeralds at 22,Aston Quay,Dublin

Me and mum took the Dart to St Stephens Green Shopping Complex and decided to spend our afternoon there. There's another shopping street in St Stephen's Green call the York Street, we did not spend much time in York Street also cause shops close early in Winter, we've to treasure our time to cover most of the departmental store in the mall like TK Maxx and Dunnes Store. TK Maxx is a store selling off season branded goods, i bought a Loewe Sunglasses at only €15 and a Lego Bionicles for Howard at €5.99. I've plan earlier on to get a pair of branded glasses during this trip but was suprise to get such a great steal from TK Maxx... really love my Loewe shades so much.

Mum bought a pack consist of 2 pcs of baby romper for Cheryl's expecting baby.

 We then drop by Argos to check if we can get some cheap stuff but was suprise that they're preparing to close early as its New Year Eve. Only Dunnes store operate until 7 on that day. Dunnes Store is similar to Penneys and sell in house brand clothing at bargain price. After spending hours to exploring Dunnes, i only manage to get a pair of Bra at only €1 and also 2 pairs of flats at €4 each, 1 checkered and the other pair is the gold snakes skin. But i have to give it to Sim because i can't wear it back in Malaysia. I think my feet expanded... sadsssss...


I spotted the internet kiosk here and pay €1 for 10 mins usage to drop my BB another email telling him my doings today. The shop close at 7pm, we leave St Stephens Green and head back to our hotel and prepare for our New Year Eve Dinner.


I've plan ahead looking for a nice New Year Eve dinner as our celebration from www.menupages.ie and decided on O'sheas Merchant as there're many good comments and the food ain't expensive. Menu page
is highly recommended to search for food in Ireland as it list out Restaurant complete with the menu from the high end one to budget eats. I've email and reserve my table with them afraid that it'll be crowded on the Eve.
As we're still early and we're given a table near the stage. O'sheas Merchant is a traditional family run Irish Pub and its very favor by the locals.

The local enjoying their drink and waiting for the new year to arrive.

I ordered a roasted beef steak with mash potatoes and vegetables stew (€ 9) and Kilkenny (€2). The portion of food is super big and its the chepest Kilkenny i ever had in my lifetime, it only cost RM10 per pint...

Lek order a Spring chicken meal and my mum as usual, will go for fish & chips.

We finish the food at 10pm and decided to go back for a rest since Lek is feeling unwell. While we are heading back,it started to snow.. ya, you're right... white spot shown in the picture are actually snow...

O'sheas Merchant

The pavement cover with a thin layer of white snow. It then turn to slippery ice and we have to really walk very slow to avoid slips.

The Liffey River night view

We took a rest at the hotel and start to walk to the Christ Church at 11.30pm for the New Year countdown as i check that the bell will rang 12 times to signalize the New Year has come. Irish Pub at the Temple Bar area are packed with youngsters and they start singing and dancing in the snow celebrating the New Year. We're expecting to see beautiful fireworks but non, quite disappointing though but whats so special about this New Year is we spend it in a Snowing Winter.

Horse cart at the Temple Street

New Year Countdown at Christ Church.







Arriving Irish Land

29/12/09 - 30/12/09

Many would say i'm really rich to travel to Europe every year, but, i have a Sterling Pound earner brother that sponsor the major cost of my air ticket. This Europe trip was planned rather last minute, the planning only kick start 2 months ago when we confirmed that we're flying during the new year.. What??? That means i'm spending my New Year in Europe... what more i did not expect is I experienced a snowy new year.

I started to search for best rate tickets 2 months ago, as it is during the biggest western festive, i do expect the tickets to be expensive, but nope, i manage to make a booking during the KLM Europe offer fare.

And the good thing about taking KLM flight is they allowed us to fly to Dublin but returning from Manchester. That save us cost for another Eurolines ride.

Our ticket comes to RM3039 inclusive of tax, and all transfer flight. We'll fly in to Dublin, Ireland and return from Manchester,UK for a 9 days trip. My major traveling expenses is covered and i have to rush out traveling plans for it, not to be forget my Bali trip was just 1 month before i fly off again....

After the Christmas Celebration where Yin & Rolland was back for a reunion, another few days after that, my Brother is flying off to UK for work. My KLM flight to Dublin is schedule on the 29/12/09, My poor BB have to bear with the times he has to be apart from me, but no worry BB, i still do email or call him daily. Since my KLM flight only departs at 11.40pm, Lek send me to work with my Pinkish Benetton luggage, i feel so like Paris Hilton carrying it around.... BB then pick me from work and bring me for a Japanese Dinner as a farewell cum New Year celebration with me. We had our dinner at Rakuzen, SS15,Subang Jaya. BB send me to KLIA and we kissed each other goodbye... At that very moment, i really do wish i can come back quickly... 

I waited for Mum and Lek to arrive and we check in our flight. And then i gave Wai Hong a call to see if he wanted to meet up since he work there. We has a short coffee break at KLIA and then i walked back to KFC to meet up with my family and had a few photoshoot of Lek before he fly off.

My KLM KL0810 from KL to Schippol Amsterdam.

Once we got in the flight, i started to snooze off, after a few hours, we were wake up by the Crew and they serve us meal, My first meal is a Chicken Pasta set serve with Orange Pudding and Salads. To be frank, KLM food is way more acceptable compare to the one serve by Emirates. I asked for a Red Wine and it does make me sleep soundly for the next few hours. Taking a long haul flight which will last us 14 hrs before we can reach to Amsterdam is really no fun. What you can do is to eat, sleep and continue sleeping... In the midst of the flight, maybe we're above the Indian Ocean, we felt very cold in the cabin.. so i have to put on my warm clothing but once awake, its difficult to fall back to sleep... I did watch the entertainment movie and i catch up Night at the Museum 2. KLM has never stingy on serving food and drinks, they serve us super yummy and filling cup noodle and ice cream..

The last few hours after the second meal which i presume is Breakfast (Omelet, Sausage,Hash Browns, Fruits and Yogurt) is the longest waiting hour... you finish with the first 2 movies and feeling too tired for the next one, what you can do is to keep staring at the GPS screen and countdown how long you'll reach.

We at last landed at Schiphol Airport Amsterdam at 5.45am. The temperature is rather cold here even indoor. We have 4 hrs to spend here before our next connecting flight to Dublin. We're told to use the auto kiosk to check in for our next flight and then put on warmer clothing and refresh ourselves in the washroom.Though Schiphol is an Interunational transit hub, but do not expect much from an European airport. There are a few shops scatters at different wing of the airport but they sell the same thing. Not much branded stuff to look at too... spotted a few Burberry and check out the price of Longchamp. However, selected perfume is selling at bargain price which is very worth, but i have enough collection of perfume that can last me for another 3 years...
So, we just walk around, spending every seconds checking out every single thing in the airport...

Me and my Bro at Schiphol.

Mummy posing at Schiphol

The only Christmas Decor in Airport

There's this metal man sculpture at the middle of the Hall...

We tried out our luck playing jackpot machines at the Holland Casino in the Airport... hmmmm... luck is not shinning on me and i lose my €5 bet... hahahaha..i'm cheapskate... i don't play big gamble!!!!

Holland Casino in Airport

At last we finish our 4 hours wait at the Boring airport and we have to continue another 40 minutes flight to Dublin via a smaller flight from Aer Lingus. How clever is that... i wasted 4 hours and why can't they just make us flight straight to Dublin??? Aer Lingus is an budget airline similar to our Air Asia and everything they charge, but in €!!! I do experience severe ear pain during this flight... I dunno why, i feel alright with the pressure change in a large aircraft but not this kind of smaller one....

Aer Lingus KL3153 to Dublin

The runway  is still very slippery for take off and landing and it's really a scaring experience to take a flight on the winter snow covered ground....  When we reach Dublin airport, while queuing to enter the terminal, the staff just open the back entrance and ask us to exit from there... from the warm aircraft we're suddenly expose to the chilling winter weather... we do not have time to put on our full winter gear and we have to run all the way to the terminal.



We spend sometime dressing ourselves up in proper winter clothing and then off to check out from the immigration, we passed through the immigration and then collect our luggage from the conveyor belt.



We bought a 1 Day bus and Luas (The Dublin City Tram) for €7.50, you can take unlimited bus & luas ride for a day using this pass.

The Airlink bus station is just at the exit of the airport. We boarded bus 747 and it takes a 35 Mins drive before you reach to the Central Bus Station, Busaras. We'll need to transit to take Luas to Abbey Street from Busaras to go to our Hotel.

It start to drizzle when we reached to Busaras and the Luas station isn't anything we expect like the London Underground. Its just a booth like a bus stop on the road.. We had some hard time trying to search for the Luas station until i ask for direction from a staff in the bus station. There's a vending machine at every each station for you to purchase your ticket. And you do not need to scan your ticket before you board the Tram...  I guess this only work for the Dubliner, if we ever practise it here, no one will buy the ticket... hahahaha





The Luas and the Station



Spotted Penang Food in Dublin Town.



Abbey Street is one of the highlight shopping street in Dublin and also walking distance to the infamous Temple Street a.k.a Pub Street and Christ Church.Its only 1 station away from Busaras.. Carrying our super big size luggage, especially Lek's, we have to walk for about 8 minutes to reach to Fleet Street Hotel Temple Bar which is located within walking distance to the shopping district, Temple Bar, Christchurch is a bit far though and we can save up transportation cost to Dublin Castle.

I made my hotel booking via Hotelclub and it doesn't make a very big difference if we book for hostel which charge per person. The room only cost us RM205 per night for twin sharing, but we share it for 3 person.

We were given a room at 2nd floor, and luckily they have lift access to every floor unlike our hostel in London last time... that really kill us.

Fleet Street Hotel Entrance



Our Room in Fleet Street Hotel



We were not too used to the sudden cold weather and decided to take a rest and some have warm food in the hotel,so we cook the cup noodle and make hot coffee for ourselves as refreshment... You must be thinking we're some weirdo to bring food to travel, mind you..... Instant cup noodle are rare, super rare in Europe and you could end up paying RM10 for 1...   The hotel is way better compare to the hostel we stayed in London just that this one they do not include breakfast.

After resting for an hour, we geared on our winter clothing and go out for food and tour. I have to wear a Long John underneath, a long sleeve cotton t-shirt, a wool pullover and a winter coat... Of course with scarft, gloves and hat covering myself from the coldness.



We decided to stop by at one of this fast food Restaurant just few doors away call Abrakebabra. The names sound so funny and it reminds me of Kebab. 1 Set consist of a beef burger, fries and a soft drinks only cost us €3.50.

My Beef Burger Set

Mum looks like a smurf



 After the late lunch, we have a short walk in Carrolls. Carrolls is the largest sourvenir chain in Ireland and it has branches everywhere..  The signature sourvenir of Ireland is of course the Shammock, Leprecaun, Irish Sheep, Guinness...


Carrolls Irish Gift Store at Fleet St.



The Irish Sourvenir



I then ursher mum and lek to walk to the Dublin Castle which is about 10 minutes walk away, but we did took a longer time to get there as its drizzling...

Dublin Castle is not up to my expectation like the Windsor Castle and its closed for the public visit on that day, there's no guard at the entrance, we could only snap a few photo from the outside.. 





The Dublin Castle




I only managed to snap a few photos from outside



Mum and Lek are complaining about the chill and Lek decided to go back to the Hotel for a nap while me & mum decided to go to O'Connell Street for shopping.


We spotted this fancy pub at the Pub Street.The Christmas decor is so nice.

Dublin City is very much alike UK, O'Connell streets gathers all the famous shops like Eason (Books & Stationery), Clarks Shoes, Arnotts and our main hit is Penneys (Same as Primark in UK).
The Penneys in O' Connell Street consist of 4 storey divided into women/ men/children/home and the interesting part is, IT IS ON SALE!!!! We spend 2 hours exploring every corner for great bargain..
And my victory is
1) Black Dress - €3
2) Black Skirt - €5 (Comes with Belt)
3) Grey Bling Bling jacket - €5
4) Blue Monster T-shirt - € 2.50
5) Black Suede Jacket - €9
6) Beige winter jacket - €9
7) Green T-Shirt for Howard - €2

When we're done with the shopping, we have to walk back to our hotel in the rain and its so windy till it breaks our umbrella... We have to shade ourselves in the shops along the short journey to walk back.
I then have to scarifice myself to go out in the super chilling weather, i think its only 1-2 deg. to the nearby Subway and bought sandwiches back for dinner as well as some drinking water and breakfast for the next day morning.