This is part one of our tour to Powerscourt House, Wicklow, and Glendalough - Powerscourt.
Pickup was not as early today but at 9:10am at the Molly Malone Statue. We walked again; it was a little closer today -- 20 minutes. This pickup seemed disorganized also. I was nervous about being in the horse riding bus. We did drop the horse riders off first, and I did not have to ride :). From the drop off, we got our first view of Sugarloaf Mountain, in the first picture. We only had a driver and tour guide combo; he gave good commentary while driving.
We arrived at Powerscourt House and paid the 10 Euro each for the gardens. We paid first; the couple behind us said that they already paid, that it was part of their tour. I noted that the Viator tour noted that it was not included. I did not feel the need to keep arguing with them so said hum, and we went in. We did not see how it played out, and since the tour guide headed back to the horse riders, he was not there to help.
The garden was amazing. The fountain in the distance and the house.
Down by the pond and fountain.
We then went around the pond to the left side. Some flowering plants. Then we found the pet cemetery which was detailed and very sweet. Then a peek of a view.
We walked on and found the garden.
Bumblebee and caged plants. Tree planted by Jackie Kennedy. Then we found the tower that we climbed up and took pictures down. I liked the swirly bushes.
We then visited the Japanese gardens. These usually cost extra though we did pay to get in. So, it was cool that they had one. The garden the was very pretty.
We then came back around to the back of the pond and found a swan. Travis got a picture of me with it, but he was telling me to get closer. I was scared to get closer, so my face has a very scared look. However, a cool reflection off of the pond.
The lawn mower is hard at work; we saw a few going. Finally, some additional back pictures. We had a hard time finding our way back in the house. The left side did not look like not a customer entrance and the right was blocked off for the cafe. We found a way in on the left after walking back.
Inside, we visited the restroom and watched the informational video. This is a model of what the house looked liked, with the rooms for entertaining, when it was built. Then back outside to meet our bus for the next stop. Powerscourt House was very pretty.
Lunch was the next stop where they had picked (so I'm sure sponsored) and employees aware of our short time available for lunch, so quick service, at Poppies. Sandwiches were 14 Euro. We went for a cheaper sausage wrapped in bread each. It was okay. They had mustard for it. Then we got a broken cookie brownie that was very good. Horse riders were picked up and dropped off at lunch earlier. We were rejoined with them for the rest of the tour. This was a strange system that the other bus did not do.
The reminder of the tour continued in the next post.