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Published: October 14th 2006
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Old town Dubrovnik
Wth its thick walls. Old town Dubrovnik sits like a huge armoured plate next to the sea. Greetings all, about ten days ago I got off the bus from Mostar.
On Croatia's South Eastern it is on a thin slice of land. Bosnia's mountainous triangle of a country crutching it up against the Adriatic coast. Montenegro is unknown to many but rests just a few kilometers away from the »Pearl of the Adriatic«. More commonly known as Dubrovnik.
I was immediately confronted by elderly ladies touting a bedroom in their houses. A great thing about Croatia is the touts that await you at the bus stations. In certain countries in the world the touts usually range from cheating, lying, stealing bastards, to those who wont leave you alone for five minutes peace and sees you as their best mate ever. In Croatia if the tout has grey hair and chainsmokes you can generally trust them.
But I had set myself a strict budget. One hundred Kuna a night as the absolute tops. Immediately, since its a little out of season, the prices were quite reasonable. 150 Kuna for a room, with a bathroom and a big window. Not bad. Its always annoying when their first offer is quite near to your top end. But I
Marble streets of Dubrovnik
The main streets are made of marble. Which makes it very comfortable to wonder around. stuck to my guns and insisted that 100 Kuna was all I had to offer. They explained that for 95 I could get a dormitory bed. »Good«, I said. Lying. »I enjoy the company of strangers in my bedroom«. So one of the ladies offered to call her »Aunt«.
Her »Aunt« said she would arrive in 10 minutes later. After a long thirty minutes of trying to read Coatian headlines at the newstand. Very difficult indeed. She arrived in her little red Fiat and then proceeded to bumble across the coach stand. The »The Aunt« had arrived.
My room consisted of a sofa bed in the living room. I had a little window which looked out onto the balcony that had a nice view of the new town in Dubrovnik. I also had free range of the houses extensive facilities. A bathroom with a beautiful window looking onto a wall, and the kitchen next door looking over the same wall. I could help myself to as much as I wanted in crystalised lemonade and if I could find some coffee down the back of the sofa. I was welcome try to cook that up also. She spent most
Sir hill view - Dubrovnik
View from Sir hill above Dubrovnik. Looking down the coast. Montenegro is close. And so is Bosnia. her time with her favourite hobby of chasing cats around the house with her stick. Cats are nimble and quick. But the old lady had the significant edge in slowmoving bulk and perserverance. The cats would been worn down and always retreat outside. No doubt thinking; »Bugger it«.
Plied down with information. She couldn't speak English well but we mumbled on in a quasi- EnglishFrench signlanguage. She insisted that »eleven« in French meant turn left. Not being French myself, I decided not to press the point. She told me the her house was easy to find as it was the last one along from three big appartment blocks in her part of New Town. Cool. I went off to see the town.
Durovnik is a former Venetian Port. Its main street is cut from white marble that soaks up the heat of the day and warms you at night. Veniatian clocktowers dominate the skyline and although it looks small from the outside ots actually quite big. Or is it the other way around? It sits along the shoreline its huge walls meant to withstand repeated siege. A white redish crocodile sat apart from the rest of the city.
Dubrovnik from a boats view
Dubrovnik from one of the many islands nearby. But I have forgotten which one I went to. Nice view though??? A great view to be had from Sir hill behind the city. They also have a cracking bakery. Pricey perhaps, but kickarsingly tastey. I spent the afternoon reading in the sun on the hill. Trying to just top up the tan with the last few rays of summer. It was nice. Dubrovniks walls fell long ago to the package tourists but Dubrovnik is Dubrovnik. The people are friendly and there is alot of life. Tourists from all over the place enjoying what the city had to offer. There is many day trips to outlying islands and there was plenty of hills with great views to be had by just strapping on your boots and walking. I unfortunately had a little bit of a cold. First one of the season. But what really brought me down was the fact that a mosquito had biten my eyelid and made it swell. Giving me the look of a man who has only had the left side of his face exposed to G-force pressure.
Nice walk from New Town to old town. Not far and if you go down to the waters edge there is alot of life. Houses in new town come in anystyle you want providing it is on a cliff. But since everything is on a cliff. Getting home was rather a bit tricky at times. So of course I got lost. Fortunately, my »Aunt«, had written her address in light pencil on the back of a supermarket receipt. Everybody seemed to kinda point me in the right direction, and when I was nearing my destination I asked for directions from a nice I was led all the way back to the house by an old lady. She walked all the way. What a nice thing to do. Up a cliff as well. I should be guilty for asking her to walk that way but I'm not. Exercise is good but I did think she was showing off a bit by almost sprinting up the cliffs. Althoughed she did admit she was buggered by the time she reached the top.
»My Aunt« was delighted to see me. Proud that her directions and ingenious use of the word eleven had wielded success for the first time. She decided reward her protege with a glass of crystalized lemonade. Apparently she had just been watching Croatian Big Brother and wanted to share in the days developments. I listened on in great intrest and feigned understanding. Deciding to retire to dinner of pizza and beer.
The sofa bed proved sufficiently comfortable. It had been a a tiring time in Dubovnik. A top place and one I would be happy to return too. If I can actually find »My Aunts« appartment again. Right then toodles to all you lovely lot for now.
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