Hello from Dubrovnik

Yesterday was another smooth transition from one place to another, but of course exhausting as well. We flew from Athens to Dubrovik in a twin propeller 30 seater plane - very smooth flight over Albania and Montenegro - my geographical knowledge of this area was abysmal.

Until I found a map.

We arrived in Dubrovnik and thought 'wow, how beautiful is this, and at a very manageable temperature of 27 degrees - such a relief after the scorching heat of Athens. Ah, but that was before we tried to find our accommodation! Go left the instructions said, so up the hill we went, and thought "this is not right, perhaps it's the other left". So we went up the hill the other way. And mean while Dubrovnik is teeming with tourists- Croatia had 3.4 million visitors just in July this year. It's a Mecca for cruise ships, and people driving from Europe. 

Anyway, we were still going the wrong way, and after a hot and sleepless night in Athens, and lots of walking up hill in the sun (27 degrees started to feel quite warm) I was near to tears. Back down the hill again, and another look at the instructions (I could have spent $20 and turned on my global roaming, but I was past rational thinking). So up a million steps we went, and found our lovely apartment with a fine view of the old town from the terrace.

After a wee nap we did a desultory wander through the 17th century walled town (and very impressive walls they are) before we tired of the throngs and had an early night.

Today we visited the War Photo gallery and saw haunting images of the war in this region that went from 1991 to 1995. It was the end of socialism in this part of the globe, and the beginning of independence for a whole host of small nations. But it was also a fraught period, and Dubrovnik was under siege, with no water or power for months, artillery fire and bombing, and people living in basements. It makes you realise how lucky we are in NZ, and how important it is to value what we have.

This is the thousands going up to walk the 2kms top of the walls - apparently a must do, however I think I shall give it a miss. And a steal at 100 kuna! (About NZ$25).

We didn't linger in the old town (which really reminds me of Sienna, but I think today we're a little old towned out). So we did an exploration of the area by public buses. We went along the coast and saw houses with jetties and boats right on the water - how lovely it would be to sail or motor slowly along this beautiful coastline. We took our togs, but the day turned overcast and cooler - we're gradually heading north as the summer wanes, and I'm already starting to miss singlet weather. And yes I know I was just complaining about the heat in Athens!

We shall venture back into the madness for dinner - I'm going to count the steps next time we go down and up again - the whole place is built on the side of a mountain!

And a photo of me after visiting the war photo place. There was a young woman visiting the gallery in tears - it must have been personal for her. I was upset just looking at the images.