Travel.Eat.Cook.Love: Europe Adventure ~ Meeting friends in Dublin

When we structure our Europe plans, many asked why do I want to go to Dublin. First reason would be I have few friends who are still there and have been working there after graduation. Another reason would be something that I can't share. But, I have always been telling myself, one day, I will go to Dublin.

We took a night flight to Dublin, cheapest flight we can find via this Irish airline called Aer Lingus. Interestingly, on the flight we made friends with another Malaysian, who are still using Malaysian passport but have been staying in Dublin for the last 12 years. I guess, everyone will likely to be Malaysian at heart.

We arrived around 10pm and we straight to hotel It was a good deal we got, stay one night get one night free so it's worth to be staying there despite arriving so late. We were hugry however it was already dark to look for dinner so we did the next best thing, made Maggie Mee!

We started the day early by taking the bus to Dublin city, about 10 minutes from where we stayed. At first., we thought of walking, about an hour walk which we don't mind doing. However, the hotel advised us against it as some of the alley we might be using is not that safe. So, we decided to take the bus.

I was supposed to meet my good friend for many many years, Cynthia. However, we will not be meeting her lunch time. It was so kind of her to take the afternoon off and bring us around. So, while waiting for her to arrive, we took the hop on hop off bus tour. The bus driver was hilarious and he sang one Irish folk song, coincidently the first song that was taught to me by my Irish lecturer and it goes like this.

In Dublin's fair city,

Where the girls are so pretty,

I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,

As she wheeled her wheel-barrow,

Through streets broad and narrow,

Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!"

"Alive, alive, oh,

Alive, alive, oh",

Crying "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh".

Cynthia took us around Dublin to many interesting places. And the best part was when she took us for lunch at this Malaysia restaurant called Nyonya. We had a feast and the best dish was Roti Canai. I must say the roti canai tasted even better than the ones sold in Malaysia. Cynthia really made sure we are full, she then took us to the best hot chocolate I have tasted at Butler Chocolate. I was really really full however looked forward for dinner cause we will be meeting more friends.

Dinner was awesome, girls only so my better half stayed at the hotel, kasi chance the wife catching up with friends. Ain and Shari, 2 of my classmates whom I haven't seen for nearly 17 years. Aireen joined us as well. I was lucky I got to meet Aireen when she came back to Malaysia for Raya last year. We shared many stories and I can't resist to ask them whether they have the intention to return to Malaysia. Instead, they persuaded me to come and join them in Dublin. Nakal sungguh!