Ireland
Dublin, Ireland, was one of my (many) spontaneous trips. I tell you why.
It was my 49th birthday trip. I planned to go somewhere, a short trip to celebrate an equally significant year before my golden age. Really? My bag was packed for an overnight trip, but not specifically to Dublin. I mean, I didn't have the right clothes for the Ireland weather. It was a little cold, at least for me.
After having a nice dinner sponsored by my kids, I headed back to the airport to catch a flight to Jacksonville. I lost track of time spending it with them, so I missed the flight. Hence, my spontaneous decision to go to Dublin happened.
My fate brought me here. Thanks to the comfortable seat on the plane. It was an easy decision for me to pursue this travel. It was definitely a good birthday treat.
Most of the time, I buy a hop-on and off bus tour to maximize my trip. So I did again, this time. The bus took us to this beautiful town called "Howth" in the countryside. It is a small fishing village located in the outer suburb of Dublin. The 30-minute ride was peaceful and picturesque. I could feel on my face the fresh air coming through the open bus.
I spotted the Howth lighthouse situated in a prominent position at the harbor entrance. I didn't expect to see this lighthouse, but I was glad I did. And I wish I had more time to enjoy it. More story about this lighthouse is on my lighthouse blog.
Did you know that the oldest still-operational lighthouse in the world is the Hook Lighthouse located in Dublin? I didn't know that either. Hopefully, on my next trip, I can visit this lighthouse and see a few more.
Howth is a great place to walk on the cliffs. But be careful not to fall. I didn't get a chance to walk on the cliff, but I enjoyed a nice walk on the harbor and breathe the crisp air.
The harbor is famous for its fish and chips. Don’t leave this place without tasting it. At Crabby Jo's, you'll satisfy your appetite.
You can't leave Ireland without seeing a castle. It is a country with lots of castles. Record says it has an estimated 30,000 castles and ruins. Our tour guide took us to Howth Castle, just outside the village of Howth. It was the ancestral home of the St. Lawrence family. The castle has stood on this site for over 750 years, and it has been used in many movies. The surrounding was vast, and the castle was huge. The inside was magnificent.
Here's an interesting trivia. Have you ever heard or do you know the meaning of this famous Irish phrase?
"Wherever you go
Whatever you do
May the luck of Irish
Be there with you."
"This phrase was associated with the gold and silver years during the 19th century. A number of the most successful and famous miners were Irish and Irish American. It carried with it a tone of ridicule to say that only by sheer luck, as opposed to brains, could these fools succeed." So that's the story behind this famous Irish phrase. Now I know, too. Good luck to you and me. 
Ireland is also famous for its long history of brewing. Obviously, the Irish love to drink beer. Guinness is the best-selling alcohol drink in Ireland. It is one of the most successful alcohol brands worldwide and available in over 120 countries. If you are a beer drinker, this is the best place for you. I am not a beer drinker (but I can drink), and because I was by myself, I skipped visiting the Guinness. I am sure it is interesting to see. There's always another time.
Anyone care for Irish coffee? I do. A good cup of coffee gives me a boost in the morning. Irish breakfast with an Irish coffee was a perfect morning. Plus, I was happy with my new Irish scarf. Hopefully, it will give me a bit of Irish luck.
This trip to Ireland trip on my 49th birthday was significant in setting up my goal to finish exploring 50 countries and 50 lighthouses before my 50th birthday. It had preempted my desire to challenge myself. A spontaneous trip and a unique experience paved my way to a new goal.
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