A PINT OF DIET COKE IN DUBLIN

We arrived in Dublin right on time after a nine hour flight.   Some of us slept better than others on the plane.  Unfortunately, we had to sit on the plane for another hour while waiting for gate to open.   Immigration and customs went very smoothly.   In the arrivals hall we were welcomed by Phelim our driver/guide.  He transported us along with another couple to our hotel in Dublin city center which was about a twenty minute ride.   On the way he gave us a short background on Dublin and pointed out different sites of interest.  Our hotel rooms were not ready when we arrived so we lounged in the lobby and drank smoothies. Once into our rooms, we had twenty minutes to wash up before departing for the afternoon.   The first stop was St. Patrick's Cathedral.  Built originally in 12th century and added on to in subsequent centuries, the cathedral was the site of the first performance of Handel's Messiah.  Beautiful stained glass windows and flying buttress vaulted ceilings made for an amazing site.  The Door of Reconciliation  is housed there and pictured below.  Jenny was willing to "chance her arm" in the slot in the door.  

 

 

The next stop was the famous Guinness Storehouse.   Our tour guide Noel was a Guinness enthusiast.  We learned the ingredients and the process of producing Guinness beer.  We tasted the first ingredient roasted barley and found it to be disgusting.  The beer is 98% water which is supplied by the local Wicklow mountains.  We stood by a waterfall that supplies the facility with pure water.   For all you beer drinkers, watch out for any Guinness beer stamped 1619.  Kelly was responsible for starting the new batch of beer.   We learned the proper way to sample the beer but couldn't get past the nasty smell. 

 

 

After touring the facility we met as a group in the Gravity Bar which is seven stories high.  It affords the best panoramic views of Dublin which isn't  the most attractive city.  We turned down our FREE pint of Guinness for the much better option-DIET COKE.  We took the opportunity to visit with the other travelers in our group.  Jane and her husband are from Toronto, Mary and Jim are from Chicago, and the other Mary is from Salem, Massachusetts.     

Dinner was held tonight as a group at Gasworks, a pub next to the hotel.  Kelly tried cream of mushroom soup and actually liked it.  Her fish and chips were doughy but the chocolate dessert  was delicious.  Jenny and Debbie had a baked chicken wrapped in bacon with mashed potatoes.   We were all extremely hungry so anything would have tasted good.  We are also extremely tired and looking forward to a good nights rest.