I kept myself busy reading up my guidebook on the destinations ahead, trying to justify where to go and how many days to be spent at each location. From time to time, I would look out the window, especially when we pass by some lovely farmlands and also some gorgeous little towns. An hour into the journey, the bus pulled into a bus station. I was wondering if this could be the Dublin Busaras? But it couldn't be as it is far too soon to be arriving in Dublin. So I waited. Most of the passengers on board remained seated, a few passengers boarded the bus, while only one guy alighted. After that the bus continued on the journey. I guess this is definitely not Dublin, although it seems to be quite a nice town. The bus went back onto the motorway and I went back to my reading. Later, the bus pulled over to the side of the motorway and a guy came up the bus. He is actually the immigration officer for Ireland checking passengers' ID, so I showed him my passport. After all are cleared, we continued on the journey until we arrived at a toll station. This is the first time I've seen a toll station in Europe as there weren't any in UK. After the toll, we first arrived at the Dublin City Airport. Half of the passengers alighted here while the remaining continued on until Dublin Busaras, arriving there around 11.40am. 
I had some tough luck looking for my hostel although from the hostel description, it is located just across the Busaras. I've walked round and round and asked 4 times before finally locating my hostel, the Jacob's Inn, just in time before my shoulder gave in on the weight. I checked into a 10 bed female dorm, en suite. The room is quite spacious and clean. After settling my stuff, I went out to look for food and also to get some info from the tourist info centre. The sun is shining brilliantly as I come out of the hostel. I ended up having a double cheeseburger from McD, just across the giant spires. The Spire of Dublin, officially titled 'the Monument of Light' is a large, stainless steel, pin-like monument 120 metres (390 ft) in height, located on the site of the former Nelson's Pillar on O'Connell Street. Then, I went into the tourist info centre to get some Dublin day tour brochures. The lady at the counter suggested the Wicklow & Glendalough as it would be more of scenic tour. I think I'll definitely do the tour but the problem is which tour operator should I take up? There are a handful of them and all boosting they were the best. Never mind, I'll decide later on. 
After that, I crossed the river towards the Trinity College. The main attraction here is the 'Book of Kells' (€9 for the entrance fee), an illuminated manuscript in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. It was transcribed by Celtic monks ca. 800. It is a masterwork of Western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of Insular illumination and is also widely regarded as Ireland's finest national treasure. I decided not to do it now but just stroll along the university compound as it would be a total waste to be indoors on such lovely day. Everybody is out to enjoy the sun. Many university students as well as tourists just sat on the benches and the grass, chatting among them or just purely soaking in the precious Vitamin D & K. Coming out of the college, I walked towards this cathedral-looking building down the Suffolk street. Turns out this 'cathedral' has now been transformed into a tourist information centre. I went in for a quick round before walking towards the Dublin Castle. This castle was the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland until 1922, and is now a major Irish government complex. Next to the castle, is the Dublin City Hall where you can enter only by guided tour. The Christ Church Cathedral is just nearby. It is the elder of the city's two medieval cathedrals, the other being St. Patrick's Cathedral. I only stood by the door and had a quick peek into the church and left as I am unwilling to part with €6 for the entrance fee. The cathedral is linked to the Dublina & the Viking World Museum by a stone bridge. 
After all these 'viewing' I walked along the Liffey River down the Merchant Quay. I don't actually have any idea where I was and where I am going and was just too lazy to pull out my map to find my orientation. Crossing the bridge to the other side, I let myself get lost amongst the streets and alleyway before reaching this big cobblestone courtyard. There stood a tall chimney with round glass platform at the top; I'm guessing it is the Smithfield Chimney Viewing Tower. Looking upwards, I didn't see anybody at the viewing tower and the chimney's lift looks a little run-down. A google on the internet later at night confirmed my suspicion that the chimney is currently closed undergoing renovation works. Otherwise, it provides a 360 degrees view of Dublin city. Behind the chimney viewing tower is the Old Jameson Distillery, one of the largest and finest Distilleries in the world once upon a time, originally built in 1780. A guided tour is available for €12.50. The Smithfield Chimney viewing tower was originally used to distill Ireland's famous Jameson Whiskey. Built back in 1895 it's used today as an observation tower and it's one of Dublin's tallest landmarks reaching a height of 60 meters. The viewing tower consists of a two-tier glass enclosed observation platform located at the very top of The Chimney of The Old Jameson Distillery with a glass elevator that will take you to the platform.Feeling a little tired, I decided to head back to the hostel. I followed the tram line route until I reach the Spires. I chance upon a fresh food market on the way back and bought 5 bananas for €1. I stopped at Tesco to get some broccolis, noodles, chicken cajuns, crisps and water. Here you actually need to pay €0.22 to get a plastic bag from the cashier. Luckily on my way out, I checked my receipt and found the cashier has over-charged me on the chicken caujuns, which was on a special sale. So I went back in and got my overcharged €1.39 back. I know it's not a lot but then again, when you are budget backpacking, every single cent counts. Arriving back to the hostel, I went to the kitchen to cook myself a hot meal. The kitchen is kind of in a mess. The basins were filled with dirty dishes and it took me a while to find the utensils I needed. After my meal, I went back into my dorm to shower and surfed on the internet. I downloaded a couple of songs to keep myself entertained while surfing. The self-catering kitchen just opposite of my dorm room is very noisy tonight. It sounded like there were a bunch of people singing and yelling and having a party in there. It kept going for hours before they finally quieting down at around 11.30pm.
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