Dubrovnik
Today we cruised south to Dubrovnik. We were going into the
wind so for the first time it was cool enough to need a jacket on while underway. I didn’t go for
a swim today, but enjoyed the hot tub!
We cruised through many small islands, and past some wind
farms on the main-land. We arrived in the port of Dubrovnik about 2:30pm. A
very impressive suspension bridge spans one arm of the bay. We first had a
scenic bus ride, then a walking tour of the old town. Nicola was a very
enthusiastic guide with a great love for Dubrovnik. It is amazing how well the
war damage has been fixed. There are very few signs of it left.
Luckily there are no big cruise ships in, but still the town is
busy. The buildings are so beautiful and
the walls are stunning. This time we didn’t walk the walls of the city, but
instead took the gondola to the top of the mountain over Dubrovnik. This is the French fort that the people of
Dubrovnik used to defend themselves during the Homeland war in 1991. There is a
museum about the war in the old fort, very interesting with lots of pictures
and some TV coverage of events. It’s amazing that Dubrovnik survived; they had
no army, so it was mainly volunteers that defended the town.
Really amazing views from the fort over the city and the
islands in the distance. The gondola only takes 3 ½ minutes, and cost is 130
Kuna (about $22.00 CAD) Afterwards we walked down the steps back into the old
town and through the main street to the square near the bus stop. We had a
drink while waiting for our bus. Lots of cats in the square looking well fed,
the people of Dubrovnik feed the pigeons, so maybe the cats as well?
A beautiful sunset over the port as we get back to the
Captain Bota a little after 8pm. Afterwards we walk over to a pizza restaurant
in the port for a delicious simple pizza,
tomato, mozzarella, prosciutto and arugula.
