Live from the Land of Princess

[jlf1]

5 minutes ago, jlf1 said:

What is so American about March 14th?    Disclosure....I'm Canadian.

Further disclosure...........my birthday is March 14th.....not going to include the year.

[YVRteacher]

19 minutes ago, jlf1 said:

What is so American about March 14th?    Disclosure....I'm Canadian.

March 14 is Pi day 3.14 so people have pie on Pi day.

 

[jlf1]

4 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

March 14 is Pi day 3.14 so people have pie on Pi day.

 

I totally forgot about that..........and I do love pie, well certain kinds.

[YVRteacher]

I am back on board after a terrific day in Dublin and Powerscourt, a horrific tender experience, a wonderful Italian dinner and a shower. I have washed the bird poop off my shirt and phone (more on that later) and have eaten the chocolate covered strawberries sent to pacify me. 

 

These were perfectly sweet and perfectly sized!

 

 

 

I have been so busy both in the ports and on board I had to take time out of my go-go-go schedule to shower tonight! No one wants to sit next to a stinky person on a crowded tender. Trust me. I had that experience today, and that is not the bad part of the tender.

 

Last night after we sailed away from Cobh

 

 

 

 

 

I went to Naathan Phan: he did 4 shows on the Island Princess and I missed the big ones in the theatre so was happy to see he was onboard the Regal. It was standing room only in the gorgeous Regal Theatre

and a standing ovation at the end for a captivating, dynamic performance. We were treated to magic, comedy, opera and a man in a balloon.

 

 

 

 

 

After the show I walked across deck 7 not really sure where I was going. Assistant CD Matt invited me to come into Princess Live for Yes or No so I did. What a fun show! 100% better than on the Island. I’m not a huge fan of CD JaYson (the Botox, the teeth, the fakeness, the aloofness irks me) but I give him credit for making this show fun. Did you know JaYson used to be a teacher?

 

The fun didn’t stop there! I went to Crooners and had two drinks

 

 

 

 

and enjoyed watching and talking with the bartenders until the loud music started and I couldn’t take it.

[YVRteacher]

Today we tendered in the harbour outside of Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Dun Leary.)

 

I wasn’t hungry for breakfast but knew I needed to eat a little something so, on the recommendation of my friend, tried and LOVED the muesli puck thing from the International Cafe. Did you know you can get a Brie sandwich at 3:00am if you desire? I am sleeping at 3:00am but I like the idea of a middle of the night carb break.

 

Since I had an excursion booked for today I met my group in the Symphony dining room just after 9:00am and we didn’t have a long wait before the tender was available. It is a long tender from harbour to port.

 

The skies were grey earlier today but the sun did its job and cheered up those clouds

 

 

and we were guided by Corinne and driven by Sherman from Dun Laoghaire to Dublin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[YVRteacher]

Being in Dublin today was like being in 6 different climate zones. There was sun, rain, wind, drizzle, a chill, then heat. Tour guide Corinne said that last year Dublin had 262 days of rain. She then remarked, “is it any wonder the Irish drink too much and are always depressed?”

[YVRteacher]

We had a few hours in Dublin. I didn’t have a map, a plan or a worry. 
 

My first stop was 

 

 

 

 

It is too bad this was not for sale. I adore her. She was brought to form by Patrick MacDowell in 1837, is made of marble and is called A Girl Reading. Be still my librarian heart!

 

Two perspectives of the same room. At first glance this appears formal and seems like a place where one needs to behave

 

 but the bigger picture shows the weekly art gallery play group!

 

Two Vermeers were on exhibit. If you have a young reader in your life who enjoys art I recommend Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett.

 

 

I didn’t know I needed to go to an art gallery today. This was a perfect gateway into Dublin.

 

Edited July 29 by YVRteacher

[dlh015]

I need to hire you to be the photographer for our cruise in October...

 

I'm actually pretty good at photos but...well, yours are so darn good!!

 

I've taken notes during this Live...lol...

[YVRteacher]

@dlh015 I’m in! Where are we going?

[YVRteacher]

After the art gallery I just went where my feet took me. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[YVRteacher]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The doors in Dublin are colourful because when Queen Victoria lost her beloved husband Albert, she went into mourning and pretty much stayed there for the rest of her life. She was so sad she issued an edict that doors in Ireland needed to be painted black as a sign of respect and mourning.

 

The people of Dublin did the opposite.

 

Tour guide Corinne said Irish people view rules as suggestions rather than a must. I now believe I am part Irish. 

 

This is where the man sitting next to me in the theatre last night and coughing without covering his mouth needs to go.

[YVRteacher]

Lunch time. This is where I ate. 10/10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was cold and rainy and blustery so I had tomato basil soup and Irish Soda Bread. 

 

Divine. This soup was divine.

 

We often remember or place importance upon the firsts. 

First word 

First steps

First day of kindergarten 

First kiss (a bird pooped on me that day too)

First home of your own

 

What is missing from this list? The first taste of Irish soda bread with Irish butter! 

 

My Irish friend who is reading this, do you think your mom would share her recipe for soda bread, please?

 

Now I just need to source Irish butter in Vancouver and possibly get a second job to pay for my new spreadable dairy passion.

 

I saved half a slice of bread until last and didn’t want to finish it because then it would be gone.

 

 

 

[YVRteacher]

 

 

 

The next part of our excursion was Powerscourt. This is a 47 acre estate with different gardens and statues collected from around the world.

 

Our coach driver squeezed the gigantic coach through this archway the way a seamstress threads her needle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we arrived at Powerscourt most of the people on our coach headed for the Terrace Cafe. Ireland has not seen such hunger since 1852.

 

 

 

 

[YVRteacher]

We had 3 hours at Powerscourt.

 

I walked through all of the gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The clouds were brilliant (I heard a kid with red hair say ‘brilliant’ today so now I’m picking up the local vernacular.)

 

 

 

[YVRteacher]

The rest of the estate was neatly manicured but you couldn’t walk on the grass or get too close to the flowers and I am more of a step in the mud and get up close person.

 

 

For a while I watched a sleeping swan who woke up, cleaned itself then gave scathing looks to the curious ducklings when they swam a little too close. This look is similar to the one I project when people try to cut in line for the mashed potatoes in the buffet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[YVRteacher]

 

 

 

 

 

[Muckyduckway]

Thrilled beyond words that your time in Ireland was so good. Your depictions are joyous.

My eyes may have drizzled a little.... it matters that visitors to your country have fulfilling experiences, especially when you value their opinion.

Edited July 30 by Muckyduckway

[Muckyduckway]

Soup and Irish bread is a match made in heaven. As long as you avoid the pre-sliced and wrapped stuff they palm off on you in airports and the like! It's my regular choice when eating lunch out. Glad you found each other 😀

[YVRteacher]

2 hours ago, Muckyduckway said:

Thrilled beyond words that your time in Ireland was so good. Your depictions are joyous.

My eyes may have drizzled a little.... it matters that visitors to your country have fulfilling experiences, especially when you value their opinion.

I need something more than one heart emoji to “like” your post!

 

Thank you so very much for all your helpful advice and recommendations!

[YVRteacher]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[YVRteacher]

Do you prefer your statues without birds

 

or with birds?

 

 

[Muckyduckway]

2 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

I need something more than one heart emoji to “like” your post!

 

Thank you so very much for all your helpful advice and recommendations!

You are so welcome. I really wanted to give you back something, albeit a miniscule something, as you give so much to the Cruise Critic community with your sincerity and enthusiasm and the time you take to share it all with us.

It's a honour to partake in your journeys. 

 

[vickykay]

We’re you on a Princess excursion or private?  Thanks.

[YVRteacher]

Avoca, you are classy and gorgeous and cozy.  This is the Avoca at Powerscourt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[YVRteacher]

Snack time, courtesy of @Muckyduckway’s recommendation 

 

It wasn’t the seaside but I made sure to swing my feet with glee! I shared a table with the kindest man named Carlos from our cruise. He bought himself an ice cream and it looked delicious.