Day 3 - June 13th

June 13th - Emigration Museum and Botanic Gardens

Everyone woke up from their tired slumber after not quite getting enough sleep. Despite how we were still slightly half-asleep, the group was ready to explore Dublin, after we had the delicious (and free) breakfast provided. We all headed downstairs, Emily being the last because we couldn’t get her out of bed, and got our delicious bread, ham, and orange juice.

Irish Emigration Museum - Technology

Once we all got dressed and ready to explore Dublin, Hanna wearing a fanny pack and holding a camera, we set out for the Irish Emigration Museum. Using Dublin’s convenient transportation network, we traveled there by bus. While sitting on the bus we thought to look out the windows and view out temporary home. Hanna was flashing her camera like a madman because all the buildings and architecture was magnificent.

After a short bus ride, we all finally got to the museum. Excited to see what was in there, we eagerly walked inside. We all paid 14 euros ($16) each and walked into the exhibits. As soon as we got into the first exhibit, we all noticed this museum was going to be heavy on the technology. There was technology tables and some weird tree like light source. It was part of an exhibit about irish scientists. It was fascinating, and Hanna stocked up on interesting facts. For example, did you know that Irish-American Robert Fulton designed the first submarine? It was called the Nautilus, and was built for Napoleon Bonaparte.

”You’d think that since this is a history museum there wouldn’t be this much technology!” Leah said. We all agreed, but still thought it was cool. We got to touch cool control panels to learn of Ireland's history and it was epic.

“I feel like I’m in a movie,” Hannah had commented, and we all agreed. After a few hours, our time at the museum was coming to an end. We all left there with new knowledge of Ireland’s past and, in the case of Hanna, a shirt from the gift shop.

After the great experience at the museum, we decided to drop by the Harbourmaster bar and restaurant for some lunch before the Botanic gardens. We all ate our food in a hurry because we all wanted to see the magnificent greens in the Botanic gardens. Once we all finished, Leah being last because she was the slowest eater, we ran to the nearest bus stop before we missed it. Luckily, we were all just in time to get on the bus and get to the gardens.

Botanic Garden - Nature

Once we got to the botanic garden, we already knew that this was going to be one of our favorites. Looking around as we walking to the front to pay the 5 euros ($6) to get it. Hanna was flashing pictures left to right of all the beautiful greenery. We paid the fee and were so excited to go in, that we ran, and Joseph tripped on a loose stone. However, he almost didn’t notice, and got right back up. We toured the beautiful setting and got to see many endemic plants that we have never seen before. We walked around the grounds, inside the greenhouse, and around the ponds. It was so elegant and peaceful. Hannah was so into it, that we actually lost her. We ended up finding her somewhere near one of the ponds looking at the plants.She was squealing over a bush shaped like a deer, and something else that sounded like "THE CACTUS IS FUZZY AND THE DAHLIA IS IS GORGEOUS!" We had to literally drag her away from one of the displays.

After we explored for a bit, we all got together we got to see cool decorated pumpkins from a contest. Emily was reading one of the brochures that the front desk lady had given us and found out that the botanic gardens were full of fun activities. She read that there was a tomato festival and a bunch of plants that she had never heard of. After a few hours running and examining the plants, it started to get late, and we decided to go. Hannah almost didn’t leave. I think she wants to live there now.

It was a perfect time for some warm dinner! We all headed back near the hostel to a delicious pizza place that we had googled called Pa Pa Pizzeria.

“Wow, what an original name for a pizza place,” Joseph thought aloud, and we all laughed. We all sat down almost instantly, and the restaurant was empty except for a family and a couple. We waited for our large cheese and pepperoni pizza (it was half and half) that we ordered, as we played with the salt and pepper shakers and sticks with our fingers. Once our pizza arrived, it was hot and cheesy. Joseph was so extremely hungry, that he grabbed a piece so fast that he looked like road runner. We ate the whole pizza with no remainder except a piece of crust and a used napkin. With full stomachs we got up, paid the bill, and headed back to the hostel.

After a long day of looking through museums and examining new plants, we were much more tired than yesterday, so we’re all heading to bed soon after writing this.

Bye!