Villa Klaic Dubrovnik

(Whitney)

We boarded the ship at about 2pm and went first to our room (very big because we got a wheelchair room) and then went to have some lunch. We could not get over the spread of food! We both had quite a bit to eat and then wandered around the ship and hung out by the pool as we sailed away from Venice. We had a wonderful dinner and went to see the "welcome aboard" show in the evening and then headed to bed. So nice to ...

... The first thing we noticed upon entering the city is that everone has an ice cream cone in their hands. We first thought this just to be some strange aligning of the planets, but we later realized that regardless of time of day, people always are eating ice cream. bizarre. The first afternoon there we walk atop the city walls, saw some amazing sights and popped off some great pics. Lunch was a nice seafood meal, pretty over priced but to be expected as ...

This is the walled city so we rise early to "walk the wall". At just under 2km around the wall proves to provide stunning views of the old city and surrounds. Many ups and downs but well worth the 50kuna. After that level of exercise we need ice cream and rest at the apartment. Later afternoon wander around the town followed by pizza dinner .... with the obligatory red. We have fallen for the local rough reds just like we did in Italy.

... relatively cold, but not too bad, and I began to swim across the channel. After about 15 minutes of swimming I began to realize the enormity of what I had undertaken. First I could barely tell that I had made any progress at reaching the island, second once out into the channel the water got remarkably colder from some current, and lastly the said current was gently heading in the direction of the open water. Now realizing all of ...

... it was quite warm and sunny early on. Al sat outside on the lounger for quite a while enjoying the warmth after the cold days in Italy and Dubrovnik. Weather got cooler and clouded over by 10:30am. Sat by the pool for a while. We had MORE pistachio chocolate chip cookies (seems to be an every day thing for most people on the ship - just can't get away from them). Bumped into Karen and Mary. They ...

... fathom. I had hoped to swim around the island on my last day but, not getting to do that, I will have to come back! 8/22 I took the bus to the Dubrovnik airport where I'm off to Krakow, Poland. I sure love Dubrovnik and will miss it. I didn't do much this trip except read, swim and sleep but it was enjoyable. The old town has this wonderful feeling about it I think that puts everyone in a pleasant mood. Lokrum Island is just magnificent and I'm already looking forward to coming back one day!

... an old fortress... Twas a busy day... In the evening we took the last bus back to Mostar and interestingly, the bus driver spoke German, as he had lived in Germany for 10 years during the war and his companion spoke both Italian and German...he had lived in Bardi for 7 years, a town which is a half hour drive from my dad's village! What a small world!?

... few hours checking out the sites, including the Temple of Jupiter, the palace and the various old gates. The most impressive part of the town was the area known as the peristyle, a beautiful small square flanked by semi-derelict Roman colonnades, leading into an open-air domed vestibule. Although the entire old town could easily have passed for an archeological museum, in fact it was buzzing with cafes, restaurants and shops, giving it a really good feel. We left Split mid-afternoon ...

... available inch of the beach was packed with people. It was crazy. There was even a man walking around with a monkey for people to have their photos taken. It seems everyone in Serbia and Montengro goes to Budva in July. A boy we met later on the train said that a lot of Serbians still won't go to Croatia so I guess it's the only seaside they have access to for holidays in the summer unless they go further down to Greece. Anyway, we braved the crowds for a little bit to cool ...