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

The limestone pavement stones have been worn smooth and slick by 100s of 1000s of feet

Entering a pharmacy-museum which has been operating constantly for 100s of years.

Everywhere is steep steps

Washing day!

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

Another museum

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 had walked halfway up that mountain already but up we went to 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 (and probably Albania just over the horizon). 

The view as we were whisked skyward in the cable car

We are being tracked by our shadow! A patch of 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.

AT the top we were served drinks and nibbles but too soon it was time to descend -  it was so much better going down but it was a longish wait.

Such a beautiful little port

Back over the drawbridge 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, mandolins 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 video had to be cut a little short but I know you will enjoy it nonetheless.

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