23 June: Day Two
Walking Tour of Dublin
One of the best reasons to take a Rick Steves' tour is the local guides.
On this walking tour of Dublin we were each given ear pieces to be able to listen to Tommy, our guide. While, yes, they do make us look like a group of tourists...we are a group of tourists. At least then the locals know to forgive us as we are walking and gawking! The listening devices are also great so that you can stand anywhere in the group and still hear the guide. Rebecca and I like to hang at the back of the group. It is less claustrophobic, I can take photos, and I can whisper with Rebecca without disturbing the group. I like to be able to help Rebecca connect what the guide is telling us with other references that she knows. |
Book of Kells
When our walking tour ended here at Trinity College, we all saw this long line for the Book of Kells. Several of us "Tour Alums" joked with each other about how long the line was and how fabulous it was that Rick would help us "skip" the line. So after our coffee break when Declan gathered us and walked us over to the end of the line, we were confused! What? There wasn't a special Rick Steves' back door entrance for our tour? We had to stand in line? YEP! While there often is a group "skip" the line at many famous sites, there is NOT at the Book of Kells! We were not grumps, however, so we stood in line, enjoyed chatting and getting to know our fellow tour mates and soaked up the sunshine! (and our wait was only about 30 minutes)
I'll admit it...The Book of Kells wasn't my favorite. The room before the Book is full of information, and full of people. It was hard to focus and read it all. The actual room with the Book is crammed full of more people, and dark (to protect the book.) While I am glad I got to see it, I don't need to put it on my list of things to do again! However, I think the REAL treasure is the library's Long Room above the Book of Kells Museum. If you are a book person, then this room is magical. (It was also an inspiration for the Library in the Harry Potter films.) |
OUR FREE AFTERNOON:
Our Group Time: A Play and Dinner
One fun thing about being a part of a Rick Steves' tour is the extra (optional) experiences the guides provide. Declan felt that you hadn't really experienced Dublin without a little bit of theatre. So he arranged a private performance of a one man play. It was held in an upper floor above a restaurant on Grafton Street. It was a small glimpse into Irish culture.
This night's group dinner was in the Temple Bar area of town. The food was yummy, the portions huge, and we enjoyed chatting with some different group members. Thank goodness we had a nice stroll back to the hotel to work off that delicious dessert. |