One thing we had learned on our Switzerland trip was the benefit of staying near the airport the night before the flight, so our travels on our last full day would take us from Galway back to Switzerland by train, then to an airport hotel, and then--whatever.
Three of us grabbed breakfast again at Esquires, where our server--the older gentleman from our first breakfast--remembered us and was happy to share that they were fully staffed that morning! Breakfast was again delicious.
Ned went back to the hotel to ensure we'd all be packed and ready to go, while Harper and I ran off in search of Hazel Mountain Chocolates in the Latin Quarter. It was right next to the kinf_olk store (of course, how did we not see it?). We were plied with chocolates by the gracious HMC staff, learned that everything was gf, and bought a bunch. Another big up for Galway, the staff in every shop we visited were super nice, welcoming, and helpful--plus they had gorgeous accents!
After chocolating-up, we grabbed another cool building photo and a breakfast sandwich and coffee for our late sleeper and got to the hotel just before our cab.
We were making great time, but then, the road to the train station was closed, so our cab driver dropped us by a hotel next to the station. While wrangling our bags, around the hotel and up the hill, we drew the attention of a friendly officer who gave us perfect directions. This time, we were prepared with reserved seats, but in the rush of managing my boot, lugging big bags, finding our car, and more, Ned somehow lost his sunglasses. Oh well, leprechauns gonna leprechaun (now in prescription sunnies.)
Said seats, selected by an Irish train employee, were actually in a row, not a quartet around a table, so a lovely young woman from Colorado was our table mate. Her trip mirrored ours as originally planned (absent the hostels) and she was even on our return flight. Weird.
The trip back covered the exact same ground as our trip there, so without a need to take pics, we read and drowsed on the way.
When we got to Dublin, we went in search of a cab, managed to score a great minivan for comfort, and were just loading our bags, when an agent from the train started shouting at us--he had found Ned's sunglasses! Luck of the Irish, indeed.
Our fairly typical airport hotel was in full holiday mode:
After a full day of travel and the long ride from the station to the airport, we decided to slow-roll it and eat at the restaurant overlooking the runways (surprisingly good). We scored a table on the outdoor patio, warmed by crazy bright heating lamps, and it was delightful to watch the remarkable number of toddlers at the restaurant run back and forth, giggly, and zig zagging to avoid capture--all to watch the planes land. Our children somehow managed to keep their calm and their seats:) After dinner, rather than make the long trek back into Dublin, we opted to see The Menu at a nearby theater--a fantastic choice!
On our way out the next morning, we grabbed one last photo, courtesy of the hotel's COVID temperature check biometric video.
Thanks to my boot, we navigated the crazy--go through TSA twice so you can avoid customs in the US even though it takes even more time to do it this way--Irish outbound flight system and still made it to our plane on time.
We loved our Irish adventure--gracious, friendly, genuine people; delicious food and abundant gf options; awe-inspiring scenery, unique culture, and fascinating history; and lovely seasonal lights to make our Thanksgiving bright. We wish we could have seen more--five stars, baby, five stars! And, as they say on the island, May the enemies of Ireland never meet a friend.
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