Dub City Par-tea.

We had a magical start to our morning yesterday. One might even say, it was the work of a... Ferry.  

Because we literally traveled by ferry!  

See, yesterday, we said our goodbyes to Wales and hopped across the pond to the great country of Ireland.  

Arriving in Dublin, we booked it straight to the nearest pub and had ourselves a most authentic Irish introduction: stew and Guinness. 

As it was already late afternoon/evening, Kate and I rested up and then went out on the town and enjoyed ourselves profusely at a particular pub with live music, Irish fiddle, and some VERY drunk dancing Scottsmen.  

So as you can imagine, we had a wee bit of a late night!  

Catching up to today, Kate and I had a slower start, one involving sleep, leisurely strolls, and a most delightful afternoon tea at the Shelbourne Hotel.  

Reccomended to us by our concierge, we just managed to squeeze into the 3:00 tea, and boy, it ended up being a real highlight of our day.   

Situating ourselves in plush green velvet chairs, we started off with pots of Irish Whiskey tea and were soon surrounded by sweet and delicious delicacies that took the entirety of two hours to consume.

With a piano player providing proper tunes, a wait staff that were most polite, Kate and I had ourselves one terrific tea party.  

Or should I say: par-tea? 

Regardless, it was definitively a highlight of our Dub City stay, and we certainly enjoyed the rest of our day! 

Afternoon tea at the Shelbourne Hotel, coming right up! 

What time is it? Par-tea time..

Desserts were probably our favorite, though everything else was just as splendid.  

Just take a look at those sweet treats!  

Drinking up before my cup becomes emp-tea... 

Don't Kate and I make the perfect tea-m? 

Conversation in Conwy.

When we lay down for bed last night, a pack of earplugs were by each of our bedsides. 

Now from experience of living in the city, I assumed they were for blocking out bar, pub, or club noise.  

This town is so cute, you'll never believe what they're really for. 

Seagulls. Imagine that! 

Breakfast rose us up and out of our beds, and today, it was served in the church. 

Complete with pews as benches and an alter at the front of the room by the assorted cereals, it was a perfect place for a meal. Praise! 

For the day, we were a bit unfamiliar as to how to spend it in this Northern town, and so we looked to Peter for suggestions. He told us to sit back, relax, and he would take us on a journey, allowing us to stop where we pleased.  

Sounds good to me!  

I kicked it in the back and pretty soon, we had scaled quite a hill and arrived at a very old church and cemetery indeed, built in the 6th century and overlooking the sea.  

We enjoyed ourselves, the beautiful sunny day and visiting sheep, and rolled down the hill to the longest pier, stopping for pics all along the way.  

Our final excursion of the day was through the stunning Snowdonia National Park. We had originally planned on taking the train, but other people had the same idea and so it was unfortunately already booked.

Lucky for us, we had a driver who was more than ecstatic to drive us through, our own private tour. 

What a drive too. Like something out of a movie!  

And so we went from sunshine, to gloomy skies (which actually accentuated the surrounding greenery), and then ended with sunny skies yet again as we visited our final stop for the evening: Caernarfon Castle, where the investiture of Prince Charles took place.

Kate and I both agreed: all these castles had us feeling rather...... Stoned.  

If ya know what I mean!  

Anyhow, it was a day packed full of conversation and history lessons on the area of Conwy, and it ended with a proper cuppa, as all British nights should.... 

Bless this food!  

Top of the hill, feels like top of the world. 

Baaaaaaad to the bone.

The Welsh men working on the weeds by this door couldn't understand why we were so intrigued with this "rotten door" but as Kate put it: "It's so aesthetic!"  

I myself found it to be rather..... A-door-able.

Our drive through Snowdonia begins....

Caernarfon Castle, I'm digging you!