September 14, 2024

Dubrovnik

 

 

The weather system has gave us a break today.  We sailed into Dubrovnik Harbor @ 7 AM and were ready to go soon after.  Each Harbor has a special pilot to guide the ship in and get it docked.  This must be a bit hard on the captain’s (or pilot’s) ego, but I’m sure it has a lot to do with insurance or lawyers.  (that is a pretty safe bet these days …).

 

 

Coming aboard is no easy thing – and this morning we have perfect weather and observe the daredevil antics of the harbor pilot in the picture.

 

Another good breakfast (Salmon Bennies) (Greek yogurt and honey for Shirley) and down to meet our tour. We chose the walking tour that was included in the program. There were others like walking the wall, or busses to the countryside, but we opted for an overview as we had not been here and just needed the bare facts.  For this purpose, the included tour is always a safe bet.

 

We met our guide and took the shuttle bus from the cruise port to the old city – a 15 minute ride. Dubrovnik is actually several villages, and it is very hilly.  The houses are chock-o-block.  It reminded us of the Amalfi Coast, especially the ‘Gran Prix’ bus ride.

 

 

Our tour guide Nikolina gave us some background info on the bus ride. It is only 10 minutes by car over the mountain to Bosnia, 40 minutes by car to Montenegro, and 6 hours by ferry to Italy. Tourism and hospitality is the main industry.  Most people have 2 jobs.  Nikolina works at the university and also as a tour guide.  While life here has improved since Communism, it can still be difficult.  She gave us information about The Homeland War or War for Independence (Bosnians refer to it as the Civil War) in the 1990’s.  When she was only 5 years old, her family had to escape Dubrovnik as refugees and returned a year or so later to a burned house.  In October Dubrovnik had been attacked by Bosnia and for a year there was much destruction.  But after 1992 there was no war in Dubrovnik, but the war actually lasted until 1995. 

 

The word Dubrovnik means Oak Tree Growth.

 

We arrived in Old Town which is surrounded by a wall.  We had thought about walking around it but the cost was 35 euros each.  Also, the steep and narrow steps to the top did not appear to be worth the effort.  As we arrived in the main square, the church bells were chiming the hour of 10:00.  Then they did so again 2 minutes later.  Nikolina said that was in case a person needed reminding.

 

We saw the Church of St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik. 

We also viewed the outside of the Rector’s Palace.  He is more powerful than the President, but is chosen to lead for only one month.  He can try again the next year. The Senate holds the real power.  I do not really understand these complicated politics.  Maybe Paul can explain it better!

 

We visited inside a Dominican Monastery where we saw a collection of gold and silver jewelry and reliquaries, as well as a very early version of the Bible.  As in Zadar, this monastery was used as stables by the French in the early 19^th century.  It was restored as a monastery in 1815.

 

We also saw a couple of Game of Thrones sites such as the staircase used as the Walk of Shame.  Having not watched the show, we just saw it as a beautiful staircase.  But we know some of you can relate.  There were several shops of certified merchandise from the show.

 

We did a bit of shopping and looking around on our way and then returned to the ship for lunch.

 

We ate a leisurely lunch and moved our chef’s table reservation to a more appetizing menu.  The afternoon was filled with journalling and napping and reading and napping and then Paul headed to the spa for his 110-minute treatment. (It was wonderful  )

 

We had a busy night. Dinner at the main restaurant, followed by the Explorer’s Lounge where we listened to the guitarist (very good), then to the port talk about Kotor, followed by entertainment from a local troupe of folk music and dancing. 

Too tired to post last night.

Oh - and 5724 steps Anna  :-)