August 9 Dubrovnik, Croatia – so much to see, too much to take in!

 This cruise has been, and continues to be, a wonderful, continuously unfolding, a slow revelation, of stunning land- and history-scapes: the Dardanelles, bronze-age Poliochni, the spectacular Meteora and its monasteries suspended between heaven and earth. Crossing between the Aegean and Ionian seas via the Corinth Canal had us leaning over the railing for well over an hour marvelling that our ship managed to skinny through – the canal an amazing engineering achievement. We’re now on our way to Dubrovnik to wander its cobblestone streets. All the while classicist, Dr Sebastien Bertrand has been weaving a fascinating story about the occupation of the region through history - the real ‘Game of Thrones’.

The walled city of Dubrovnik

This afternoon we anchored and were ferried in to the historic walled city of Dubrovnik which sits on a rocky spur. Once landed we wandered for over 4 hours, through streets wide and extremely narrow - and of course up and down steps!  Fascinating. 

The limestone pavements have been worn smooth and slick by 100s of 1000s of feet.

A pharmacy museum which had been operating constantly for 100s of years.

Washing day!

We watched as tourists struggled with luggage on these steep steps.

Then our guide turned our eyes up to the top of the ‘mountain’ - we were to catch the cable car to the top. It seemed like we walked halfway up that mountain before we could catch the cable car - phew! What astonishing breathtaking vistas awaited us when we reached the ‘top’ and gazed out over a polished pewter sea and inland when we could see in the near distance northern Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, and almost to North Macedonia. 

The view as we were whisked skyward in the cable car

We are being followed by our shadow! A patch of blue Japanese garden in the sky

At the top of the hill we looked out over 3 countries. An experience I haven’t had since Uzbekistan.

We were served drinks and nibbles but then it was time to descend - so much better going down but it was a longish wait.

Such a beautiful little port

Back over the draw bridge to walk between the walls

We arrived back on board ship with just enough time for a cocktail before dinner. The night was glorious and the weather balmy so we lingered by the pool sipping White Port and Cointreau - we were waiting for the night’s entertainment: a group of local men performing a traditional Klapa. (The word klapa translates as ‘a group of friends’ and the singing is a multipart tradition of the southern Croatian regions of Dalmatia.) They accompanied themselves with mandolas, mandarins and guitars. Plaintiff songs and perfect harmony. Their singing was heartbreaking, mesmerising. I made a couple of videos and took many photos – they were sensational. Sadly the attached video had to be cut a little short (and compressed) but I know you will enjoy it nonetheless.

The black night sky was a perfect backdrop for this wonderful group of local musicians