DUBLIN TO CORK
Ireland is beautiful, as green as you’ve heard, and the people are very friendly!
I arrive in Dublin early on a Thursday. It is an effortless hop onto an express bus to downtown, and a short walk to the bicycle shop. At the shop they say it will take 30 minutes to get my rental bike ready which gives me enough time to walk over to the hostel to book a return reservation. The main street downtown is really wide with lots of shops but not many are open at 8 am.
After I pick up my bike, I get my gear loaded into the two panniers that come with the rental and set out!
I'm really proud of myself for negotiating the city streets and while having to remember to stay on the left side of the road. After exchanging money, I make my way to the bus station with just 4 minutes to spare. I get my bike loaded into the underbelly of the bus while the bus driver tells me to “Hurry!”
With a bit of jet lag, it’s a challenge to stay awake on the comfortable bus ride to Cork. I do notice lots of fenced-in pasture for dairy cows. The ‘fencing’ is a combination of actual fence along the perimeter, and three feet high stacked rocks sectioning large fields into smaller ones. We drive through lots of cute little towns with Cork being the last stop.
Cork is actually quite large and has a picturesque river running through it. My first destination is the English Market where I want to grab a snack. It's a typical market place with everything from produce to cheese, seafood and meat. I stop at a coffee booth with a cheese booth next door and enjoy a mushroom quiche with a latte. The shop owner is very engaging and approves my bike route, with minor suggestions, and then gives me detailed directions to the hostel.
It's a nice ride across the river and up a steep hill. The receptionist at the hostel asks about my interests and suggests a vegetarian restaurant, Cafe Paradisio, and a route there that includes a panoramic view over the city. I meander my way through town and end up at the Cork Vision Center, a a local gallery, where it happens to be opening night for an art exhibit by local artists with local places as the theme. I chat with the director, who thanks me for bringing the sunshine from Miami, and he also approves my route.
As I head for the restaurant, the setting sun makes for interesting reflected light cast on the buildings. I find Cafe Paradisio and with one look at the menu, I know I'm in for a real treat! It starts with a summer bean and beet root salad with olives and Knockalara's sheep cheese and a sweet spiced citrus dressing. The main course is courgette (zucchini), pinenut and basil risotto with Ardsaliagh mature goat's cheese, roasted baby beet root, shiitake mushrooms and lemon mustard butter. For dessert I couldn't resist the chocolate silk cake with expresso ice cream and hazelnut tulle. And... get to take half of it with me for lunch tomorrow.
The receptionist at the hostel has also recommended The Corner House for some live music. The venue reminds me of Tobacco Road in Miami, as you can tell it has been around a long time. The music is really good! It seems like these guys have been playing together for a long time. I stay to enjoy the lively music and end up hanging out with Richard, a local tech guy, who also loves to travel.
What a great way to start my adventure in Ireland!