Ireland Trip : 19th September

Today I took the ‘Wicklow-Mountains-Nationalpark Tour’. We went to Powerscourt. There’s a big beautiful garden there. It was said to be the most beautiful garden in Ireland. To be honest I had been to too many Gardens before that made me not particularly amazed with it.

But… I found scones at the café there and it was SUPER delicious! It was my second after Warwick. 

Then we went for lunch. Oh yeah, ‘we’ as in me and the tour group. Did I say I met a sweet couple Bob and Katie? They are from Pennsylvania. They have a daughter who’s of my age. I guess that’s why they were so warm and friendly towards me.

Bob kept on asking me if he could take my picture. That was so kind of him. Though I didn’t really have the urge to take pictures of myself during the whole journey.

All along, the scenery at Wicklow was mesmerizing. We went to Guiness Lake and the P/s: I Love You bridge too! 

At Guiness Lake again Bob said he was going to take picture of me. In return, I took a picture of them. They look beautiful in the picture. While I was taking a video of the place, a woman, also from our tour group, came and asked, ‘Would you like me to take pictures of you?’. Out of politeness and feeling overwhelmed, I said yes. The people in my group were so ,nice to me. I’m not sure why. Maybe that’s just how they are.

                Guiness Lake 

Ireland Trip : 18th September

Today I didn't really do much. My tiredness from cleaning my house was still there. So I spent quite a while talking to the new friends that didn't feel new at all because of the way they treated me. 

I didn't feel awkward or different. They really know how to make their guest feel at home. They are very matured in terms of thinking eventhough most of them are younger than me. 

It's interesting to have a chat with medic students because obviously they have different style of thinking compared to engineering students.

I went out at 2p.m with a few of them. Well it was Sunday, they didn’t have class today. We just hang around in Dublin city, looking at the buildings and drinking hot chocolate from Buttlers. 

I visited Trinity College. There is an old library there that's famous for its 'Book of Kells'. For someone who likes books, I'm amazed with the old library. They say the library looks like the one in Harry Potter.

At the counter we met a gentleman, a Cashier in his early 40s. We asked for 3 Tickets. Student‘s price was 9 Euro per person. He looked at our cards. Apparently he was amazed by the courses that we took. Then he smiled and let us entered the library FOR FREE!! Alhamdulillah...

40 minutes later we went to the Trinity College‘s souvenir shop. Someone approached us and he turned out to be the cashier again. He gave us 2 10% discount coupons for the shop. Before he left he said,
“My name is Ken. I wish all you the best and success in your studies. Whenever you are here, you can ask for Ken“

That’s when I realised that this trip was the beginning of a whole new experience. I’m really looking forward to my real solo trip tomorrow!

Ireland Trip : 17th September

Today is the day! I’m in Ireland!!! 
To be honest I lost my excitement a few days before my flight because I was so busy. I  had moved out so I had to clean my old house and I was super tired.

The flight was good. It took about two hours to arrive at Shannon Airport. Guess what? Shannon Airport was one of the place shot in Westlife's MV: My Love. Hi hi hi

From Shannon to Dublin it took about 4 hours by bus. Somehow the feelings and the scenery along the way reminded me a lot about my father's hometown, Linggi. Single house with garden and small farm at the back. 

I wish I could spend some time again at Linggi. I miss being there.

I stayed at friends of my friends (x5) in Dublin. So basically this will be my first solo, semi-independent trip. ;-)

Memmingen to Shannon