Monday 10 August 2009

22 March, 2009 (Sun) – Caernarfon, North Wales – Day 11


The night before, the hostel reception told me that there was no bus going to the Dublin port although I find that a little hard to believe. So while googling for the price of the taxi to the Dublin port ferry terminal, I discovered that there is actually a ferry connection bus from the Busaras to the Dublin port at 7.30am, and it only cost €2.50. Woohoo, if this is true, then I could save about €12 as it would costs me around €15 to take a taxi there. So I woke up early this morning, checked out and walked to the Busaras so I would have ample timing to check out if the ferry connection bus is still running, else I'll just hop on a cab. Inquiring at the ticket counter gave me a positive answer, there is a bus going at 7.30am to the port and I was the only passenger in the bus. The bus ride took about 15- 20mins and I am surely glad I didn't try to walk to the port as it is still quite a long way in after the junction entrance which I need to turn in to as pointed out by the O2 guys. The whole compound was very huge with lots of trucks and freight containers and also a row of the Guinness trucks. I walked into the terminal centre and checked in. Similar to taking a flight, you can also check-in your luggage so I checked-in the big backpack and took the elevator up to the waiting lounge.

We couldn't board the ferry yet so I had bananas as breakfast while waiting. About 8.30am, we were called upon to board the ferry. Following the instructions, walking down some flights of stairs, we were led out of the building where a bus is waiting to shuttle us to the ferry docked around the corner. I am boarding the Irish Ferries's Jonathan Swift today from Dublin city to Holyhead, Wales. The ferry carries both cars and foot passengers. The lower 2 decks are for the cars while the upper 2 decks are for standard class and club class passengers. The ferry is much bigger than the one I've been on previously from Isle of Skye back to Scotland. On the main passengers' deck, there are 2 brasseries where you can buy some snacks or have a drink. There is also a Bureau de exchange, a shop and a game arcade area. The whole journey took about 2 hours. After alighting the ferry, I went through the immigration counters and collected my backpack. Next, I am supposed to take the train to Bangor. However, the rail was not in operation today, so all the foot passengers board a rail replacement bus to either Bangor or Chester train station. I alighted at Bangor and then took a local bus to Caernarfon. I waited for 40mins at the bus stop (in cold winds) before the bus no. 5 to Caernarfon came. I had plenty of time whilst waiting so I checked out the bus timetable and discovered that the bus frequency was reduced to once every hour in Sunday hence the long wait.

Arriving at Caernarfon bus station, I didn't know where to find my hostel as there wasn't any clear instructions. I saw an Argos store across the street so I went in to ask the girls at the cashiers for help. They weren't very sure about the location but they were very determined to help. Initially there were 2 girls at the counters and both of them didn't know so they asked another colleague whom also hadn't any clue. Then one of them suggested calling another staff of theirs over the phone to ask for the direction. It is quite cool to listen to them speaking Welsh while discussing and then turn and speak and explain to me in English. After thanking them, I followed their direction into the city centre. The town was very quiet and calm today. As soon as I step into the square, the Caernarfon Castle stood majestically in front of me. The mighty Caernarfon castle is possibly the most famous of Wales' many castles. It is built by Edward I, not only as a military stronghold but also as a seat of government and a royal palace, its majestic wall and battlement tower above the walled town. Further down is the promenade and the sea. Again, I asked another local lady at a store for directions and this time the lady instantly pointed me to the location of my hostel, just down the road.

The lady owner checked me in and showed me around the house. Immediately I liked the place as it has a homey feeling. The entire house was nicely decorated and very clean. The ground floor is the living room while the kitchen and dining hall is at the basement. All dorm rooms are located upstairs. She told me that the hostel is full tonight as there's a big group coming in later. The owner actually stays at the house behind so it's pretty convenient. I was checked in to a 4 bed female dorm with a double deck bed and 2 single beds. I took the lower bunk of the double deck. After settling my stuff, I went out for a walk in this lovely little town. Many of the stores are closed today and only the cafés, restaurants, pubs and some souvenir shops are open for business. I bought a spicy Italian sandwich from Subway as lunch. I couldn't find a seat in the small store hence I ate it outside at the square in the chilling winds overlooking the castle.

After that, I walked down the street to the promenade where there is a bridge linking the mainland to the small island opposite. In the freezing cold winds, I strolled along the pathway for quite a bit before turning back. It is such a lovely place to be after the cosmopolitan city of Dublin. Everything here is so peaceful, quiet and relaxing. I was walking back towards the city when a 'grandpa' stopped me for a chit chat. He used to be a radio technician on boats sailing to the Asean countries including Malaysia. He is rather chatty and told me quite a bit of himself. From his stories, I learned that he was divorced and his children are living in Australia. Well, I guess he is just a lonely old man. He even invited me for a cup of tea when we met up at the square again but I politely rejected his offer as I wanted to continue on exploring the town.

I saw this 'Farmfoods, the frozen food specialists' store so I went in to check it out. Boy, their food is relatively cheaper than what I've seen outside. So I bought a steak & chips for dinner, a pack of biscuits and also a bottle of water. I wanted to get some 100plus for my sore throat but there wasn't any. So I end up getting a lime and lemon still water. I went back to my hostel to drop off the stuff and there was a girl, Sarah, who just checked-in. She has a very cheerful and bubbly character and she is in the Rugby team with another 24 boys. They are all high school students from Canada, currently on a rugby match tour around UK. They just came from Manchester today and they have a match tomorrow. I guess it's not easy to be the only girl in the team of boys but then from their interactions I guess they are quite close together. Quite a few of her team mates sort of purposely came in to say 'hi' when they found out there is another person in the hostel, making me felt a little awkward like I am a zoo-animal ;p

Soon,they are off to a running exercise and the whole house immediately quiets down. I took a shower before heading out again. The weather is not as cold now. I walked to the Victoria Docks and then turned back into the castle area. The town is actually quite small. Most of the people gathered at the pubs, leaving the rest of the town deserted. After a 40mins walk, I head back to the hostel for my dinner. The steak and chips meal I bought earlier on is not exactly steak but more like the burger meat and chips. I also had a nice hot cup of tea to warm myself up. After my meal, I went up to my room to meet another dorm mate, whom is from Bristol. She was on the computer examining the photos she'd taken earlier on. I got a quick peek and my, her work is brilliant. We joked about how noisy tonight could be with the rugby boys in hence we better get our earplugs ready... hehe