17.05.2018 A perfect day for a perfect trip!

In my B&B, I enjoyed a fantastic breakfast. I could choose for myself and opted for Blueberry Pancakes. Exceptionally, this time without morning chat, but I have to say, I haven't eaten this well in a long time! Strengthened, I set off for Powerscourt Waterfall to the north. Oops... gate closed, what's going on there? Opens at 09:30... I look at the clock, 09:28... umm... the Irish seem to take it seriously. I enjoyed the peace on site because as one of the top tourist attractions, this would not last long. I had everything for myself on site for about 25 minutes, but then the first groups arrived. So I took some distance and took a small hiking trail through the park.
Personally, I find it sad that something like a waterfall costs 6 euros for admission. For people who just want to appreciate nature and travel on a low-budget, it means they can only experience half as much.

Then I continue my journey to the north. My destination today is Skerries. A small village on the coast, where I will spend my last night. On the way there, I enjoy the small villages and mark a beach, Killiney Beach, on my map. The 'beach' turned out to be stones and the sea, but it was still worth keeping the moment. So I can be grateful to experience all this. My onward journey takes me along the coast. Unfortunately, you can't see anything because many rich people cover their houses with high hedges or walls. I am shocked, Dublin is only a short distance away, but it is not even noon yet. I don't want to go to the city, what now? I search online for activities again and remember that it would be my dream to ride a horse with a wonderful view. However, I think I only sat on a pony in my childhood. I find a ranch only 20 minutes away and call. Actually, a private tour into the mountains is offered to me. The whole thing is supposed to last 1 hour. The price was a bit steep at first, but in the end, I won't get such moments and opportunities again so quickly. After all, I am here on this earth to fulfill my wishes :)
I had trouble finding the ranch. When I finally arrived, a tall black man greeted me, like from the movie Blind Side, and told me that the ranch is next door. Well, I made it on time. But there was no one to be found on site. A worker told me in broken English that he is the only one on site and he doesn't know when someone will come. I was confused, so I called the number again. The previously friendly woman was suddenly not so friendly anymore and answered me snappily, 'I am the owner, if you prefer to listen to a cleaning lady, then do that. Lauren is on her way'... *hangs up*
Phew... That's a good start. Lauren actually arrives, she looks young and a bit stressed. I assumed that we would slowly trot up the mountain, but quickly realized that poor Lauren won't get on the horse but will lead me. So she had to walk... up the mountain. But instead of using the great path up, she regularly went through the woods, through mud and stones, so that branches hit me in the face every minute. It slowly seemed that she didn't want to take me to the great view that was promised to me. Instead, the horse and I regularly 'stumbled' together because we slipped on rocks or tripped over something. It was very uncomfortable. In addition, the horse reacted strangely to Lauren. I then found out that Lauren has only been working on the farm for 1 1/2 weeks and is actually from the USA. She is only 20 years old and hardly knows the horse - not a great prerequisite, I think.
But... I survived! And I don't want to experience it a second time. After this failure, I decide to seek out some 'nature'. However, I am in the middle of the urban area of Dublin, so there is unfortunately very little greenery. But my attention turns to Phoenix Park. A large park with a zoo and other historical buildings or monuments. 'Almost like Central Park in NYC,' I think. So off I go. Since the park is so huge, I decide to rent a bike. I can ride around with it for 1 hour and enjoy the park in its full splendor. In doing so, I make an amazing discovery. I come across a herd of deer. Honestly, about 20-40 deer just relaxing. In a public park!! Just fantastic to experience these creatures up close. As a reward, I treat myself to an ice cream afterwards. It's supposed to cost 2 euros, but I only have 1.56 euros in my pocket. The lady takes pity on me, so I give her my remaining coins. A vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce - yummy. It was really refreshing to ride through the day and see so much.

Since I made it my goal to watch the sunset, I quickly make my way to my accommodation north of Dublin, to Skerries. A small harbor village right by the sea. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the host mom's husband. I didn't see her until I left. The husband recommended a few coastal restaurants, so I went for a stroll. First in the wrong direction... but finally, I arrived at the first restaurant. All meat dishes. So I get up again and go to the next one. That has already closed for an hour. I keep walking and end up finding a nice restaurant with a glass terrace so you can enjoy the view. Well... the view was the only tolerable thing about the whole thing. The prices were enormous, so I decided on two appetizers. Once duck leg with red cabbage and potatoes... in the end, I got a huge plate with a tiny leg and a slice... Yes, you heard right... a slice of potato under the leg. I think it was a bad joke... then comes my second dish: bruschetta. Yummy... in theory... what I got was a dry baguette with tomato pieces. It tasted as it sounds. A disaster. I've never eaten so much garbage, and the joke? It was the most expensive dinner in my whole vacation.
Well, at least I have the harbor right in front of me and I go for a walk afterward. I want to experience the sunset, but I quickly realize that it is still too early. So I walk up and down and half discouraged, I finally experience my spectacular sunset. It was a truly perfect day, with a perfect ending for a perfect journey.

Insights:

What is not yet discovered is free.

For roads near schools, there are so-called 'bumps', ramps that force drivers to drive slowly. Great idea. It avoids the need for more electricity in the form of traffic lights, and the people here have to practice mutual consideration on the roads every day.

Airbnb is much more 'family-like' than B&B or hotels. This makes a big difference, especially for solo travelers.