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Published: August 25th 2019
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23.08.2019. We left Hvar this morning via ferry for Dubrovnik. Our hotel staff deposited us and our luggage on the docks and we boarded with hundreds of other people. Everybody found a spot for their luggage and took a seat for the three hour journey. It was quite a pleasant journey, stopping off at two places before berthing in Dubrovnik. The retrieval of luggage took a while but everyone just waits until they can reach theirs and then disembarks. We taxied to our hotel, which is situated in a bustling pedestrian only area, and was greeted by a friendly chap who not only gave us our key but a piece of paper informing us that our pick up time on Monday morning for the coach to the airport would be 4.30am! Can’t wait!
We took a short stroll towards the ocean and past a beach which was packed with people. The beach wasn’t sand though, just rocks and lots of them! The rocks certainly don’t deter the locals though, spread out on their towels or under umbrellas. It is still very hot here but we believe it’s cold and horrible back home so we mustn’t grumble!
After a few
drinks on our balcony, we opted for a Mexican dinner tonight but shared the meal. John had read some reviews of the restaurant and overwhelmingly the advice was big meals so share! Glad we did - the look on people’s faces when their meals were placed in front of them...and most couldn’t finish them. John enjoyed a dark beer and I had my forever favourite, a Margarita!
24.08. 2019.
This morning we woke to thunder, rain and overcast skies - but not for long thankfully. All was fine again by the time we got on a local bus to Old Town, which is encircled with massive stone walls completed in the 16th century. Its well-preserved buildings range from baroque St. Blaise Church to Renaissance Sponza Palace and Gothic Rector’s Palace, now a history museum. Paved with limestone, the pedestrianised streets are lined with shops and restaurants - and lots of tourists! We meandered through the squares and streets and inside some churches which are beautiful. There is quite a lot of restoration going on in Old Town, which is good to see, and it is UNESCO heritage listed. People actually live in Old Town and we wondered whether
they ever get sick of the tourists.
After dinner tonight we sat out the front of our hotel and watched the people stream by - it was like a river of constant movement. Someone was selling helium balloons of different characters, shapes and sizes, and nearly every child had one, keeping a close eye on them, hoping they wouldn’t let them go and they’d float away. The ice cream shop next door was doing a roaring trade and so was the fairy floss guy. The crowds didn’t look like thinning out even by 10.30pm so we called it a night and went to bed.
25.08.2019. After breakfast this morning we wandered down to the waterfront - following a map that didn’t mention steps, lots up and lots down - I am so over steps! The oppressive heat drove us back to the hotel and after a late lunch we returned and started packing as we head home tomorrow.
We’ve enjoyed our four weeks away - except for the ghastly train trips - and seeing places we’ve always known about but never sure we’d get to see. Croatia is lovely - the three cities we visited are clean
and safe, no graffiti anywhere, and the people certainly enjoy the outdoor life. Only one minor episode in Split - John was nearly pickpocketed. He was aware of the zips of his bag being undone, threw his hand back and connected with a face! When he turned around, he saw it was a female who wasn’t the least bit deterred at her near thievery! She and her mate just took off, no doubt looking for other victims.
Now, next year...
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Dubrovnik
Mum loved seeing your photos of D. They loved their visit to the old city and walked right around the wall. Geoffrey x