Day 3: Travel Itinerary
Dublin City (16th December 2018)
- The main reason I visit Ireland is for the Cliffs of Moher. I need to see this myself before anything (Thanks to Westlife and my dad).
- If you are travelling solo, I reckon you to book a one day tour from Dublin because it’s much easy, cheap and convenience. I choose Paddywagon tour as recommended by my friend. One of her main reason is, the bus is easy to find if you ever get lost HAHAHAHAH (thanks to the striking green colour :D).
- But, do rent a car if you are travelling with bunch of friends cause trust me, it will be much worth it and the cost might probably just around the tour cost per person. I will tell you why later.
- The tour cost me €40 ( €41.16 after tax), which I booked months before my departures. Just to note that, there are also certain peak season (esp in summer). December in the other hand is a challenging season for this tour because the weather is unpredictable.
- Upon booking, you will be asked to choose your pickup point. It can be either Paddy Palace (7.30am), O’Connell Street (7.50am) or Molly Malone Statue (8am). This depend on your hotel location. Like myself, Times Hostels are near to Molly Malone Statue. (Tips: The earlier you wait, the best seat you can get in the bus).
- Make sure you prepare the best and comfortable shoes, and bring your own lunch. This tour involved lotsa walking up and down the hill. Outfit? I would rather be fancy if its not winter (The wind is crazy). and although they will stop for some quick bites, I still recommend you too bring your own packed lunch just in case you might disagree with the price.
- Free Wifi on the bus so, forget about everything and just upload your photo on the spot!
- I woke up as early as 6am, just to be sure I wont miss the bus. Since I am not very sure how reliable the timing here (No joke if you’re at Japan btw). The cold weather kept my Subway sandwich good.
- Took me only 6 mins walk to Molly Malone Statue. I saw few coffee shop is already opened as early as 7am. and yes, here there is few others tours meeting spot too. But don’t be afraid, you’ll know which is the Paddywagon.
- I feel bad for Madam Molly cause everyone is touching her breast. I mean, she is just a statue at a public space, why being so pervert? You can see clearly that her breast have this extra shining compare to other part of the statue. Shows how low minded certain visitors are and how low women in the society.
- Anyways, around 8.10am, the tour guide started to call us up with ‘Paddywagon Tour-Paddywagon Tour Moher Cliff Follow me’. He sounds so loud that it is impossible to escape. So the rest of the group followed the tour guide to this 1 location where the bus is. They will call your name before you can proceed into the bus.
- Paddywagon bus is very cute. my lucky day, I’ve got to sit at the second row. Seat is spacious and wide and The bus are not full so I’ve got the whole 2 seating on my own.
- The bus started its journey at 830 am towards the Western part of Ireland. The tour guide explaining our journey and how crucial to stick at the time. After some short a while, we took 20 minutes mid-morning coffee stop in the midlands of Ireland. Oh how I which I knew the location.
- our first stop is Kinvara. Its a colourful village and famous as an ancient fishing village. There are also surrounded with beautiful landscape and fishing harbour. May as well see how beautiful Dunguaire Castle location in the middle of the lake.
Visitor Information of Kinvara
The colourful building
- The journey continues along the The Wild Atlantic Coast where I enjoyed the coastal drive along the shores of Galway Bay. The view along this coast is just amazing and I couldn’t snap any photos as the bus is moving. You just have to witness it all by yourself.
- The journey continues through the Burren! According to the website, it is famous for its Limestone Rock, as far as the eye can see, and reaching down to the sea shore. The bus stop here and of course, we’ve got a chance to see the mini cliff. The Atlantic coast is pretty much amazing!
- 10 Minutes stop is not enough to enjoy the scenery. I was very much overwhelmed by the fact that I’m here. The place that I really wanted to go since I was 10! But we are heading to Doolin and tell you what, its about to rain and I pray really hard that it wont. We will take a stop in Doolin, and they took us to to enjoy lunch at the restaurant (Own cost). There are plenty of selection too such as Mushroom Soup, Fish and Chips and many more. Price-wise is around €7-15. But I’ve got my subway, enough to keep me full. I ate my sandwich outside of the restaurant and took a stroll at the neighbourhood. Its Sunday so none of the shop is open here.
- So right after lunch, we continue our journey to The Cliffs of Moher . The road to the hilly top is pretty much zig-zagging, small roads and very steep. I was sitting at the front and it doesn’t failed me to scream a little. There is one point that I was a bit scared that the bus will gonna flip over the cliff or something. and Thank God, I eat the motion sickness tablet wayyy before walking to Molly Statue. We arrive at the world famous Cliffs of Moher around 1.1 hours later.
- We were given around 90 minutes to enjoy the cliffs. Its nearly 3pm and honestly, it rains. The rain+the wind. my shawl is everywhere and all over the place! Ok enough talking, let the picture do the justice.
- Now you can sing Westlife, My Love near the cliff. ❤
- Look, I have a few tips for anyone who wanted to visit this cliff.
- It’s worth the visit no matter what other people may have said. Yes, I can be full with people and limited view for a photo but not everything need to be justified by a photo. as for my self, standing at the cliff has already make myself feeling overwhelmed with God’s creation.
- If you go with car, there are few fees to include. of course the entrance fee. I am not very sure how much and how but please google more.
- I would suggest you to make sure that you arrive at the cliff in the morning. Because the sun shines directly to the cliff and your photo will be absolutely amazing. I arrived in the evening, so the sun setting behind the cliff. so backlighting is a problem unless you have amazing camera.
- When you at the middle towards the cliff, common question is where do I start? To the left (Cliff) or to the right (O’brien’s Tower).My advice, start on your left. because trust me, you will not regret every single step you’ve taken to see the cliff as near as possible. Mind you, be extremely careful because it was true that, lots of people die here because they are too near to the cliff. The wind is unpredictable bcz they can blow you up from your back, or at your front. and I am talking about 40km/h wind blows. This is not a joke.
- After you’ve done with the left side, straight ahead to O’brien’s tower. There is a fee to climb up the tower. I skipped this, because the view nearby is mesmerizing enough. Take your time to enjoy every birds singing around the area, sheeps and pony. Seriously, TAKE YOUR TIME. don’t rush because, I cannot describe how wonderful this place are.
- During my visit, it was raining for a little, then its stop. Moher does have a roller coaster feelings too. So make sure you wear something comfortable.
- 90minutes here is more than enough But if you have more time, you can explore by walking along the cliff.. but I spent few minutes bought some souvenirs at the Visitors Centre. They sell coffee too just in case.
- Our last pit stop after Moher is at the village of Bunratty, and taking photos of Bunratty Castle, famed for its medieval banquets. You can also get some snack or here and relax and enjoy the small city.
- We head our way back to Dublin around 5/6pm and arrived around 7pm. and I’m pretty sure we drive through Limerick but I’m sure I was lost in the bus. I’ve got lost in time too. I couldn’t remember. What I remember is that the tour itself is very informative, fun and the tour guide is funny. The whole journey is easy and not difficult. Everyone is punctual and friendly. I have nothing against this trip. and kudos to Paddywagon Tour! I enjoy every moment with you.
- Back in Dublin, I wanted to treat myself something good that night. I was googling the Best and Famous Restaurant in Dublin to treat myself for my birthday like, few months before. I found this restaurant in front of the St. Stephen’s Green called Peploe’s. I decided to spent a bit of fortune here. and I couldn’t even remember the name of my food but I am so sure it’s a Hallibut. Their menu is changing every month so..
- Well, its the local restaurant. with few selection of amazing food and in my case, fish :D. This is the happiest day of my life.
- Since the weather is still good, great and I’m a bit full, let’s take a walk at Grafton Street, Dublin’s High End Shopping Street. The Christmas mood comes kickin me already. It was lovely at every scene, people playing music, Choir, Irish instrumental music at every corner. The feeling is extremely wonderful. I walked and stopped at every corner just to feel the vibes and thinking, how wonderful if I’ve got a chance to stay here. One day perhaps.
My dream has come true. Thank Allah for every opportunity given to me. It has been a very long road, hard road and difficult road to get what I want but it always come at the right time. Over the years, I begin to understand that, maybe it’s good that it doesn’t happened earlier bcz I may have been extremely cocky or ungrateful. It felt so right this time. and here I am, 30th Birthday, Happy and being thankful.
“What is meant for me, always arrives right on time”
Rasyiqah Hassan 