Up early and a fifteen minute stroll to the old town. Our apartment is on a very steep hill overlooking the fortified old town. In Austria they call them stadt, in Croatia its a Grad. When we first arrived we walked from the port to the lodging and it involved more than 500 very steep steps through little back alleyways and ginnels. We were knackered and poor old Crispy was not amused. There was very nearly another Crisy strop but she steeled herself before it bubbled over into a full blown tantrum. We only got to the pupil dilation and quiet stage before we reached the summit and found our apartment.
A quick shot of alcohol quickly dissipated the trauma and a crisis was averted.
Crispy is doing incredibly well with her mastery of the different languages. We are now up to two words Danke and Hvalla.
Both mean thanks and she uses them for every situation regardless of context.
The only thing that alters is the volume and facial expression.
Dubrovnik is incredible. Truly amazing. Crispy has fallen head over heels in love with it. The old town fortifications are mind blowing and the city must definitely be on everyones bucket list. None of my photos could do the place justice so just google it guys. Its worth it. Today I am reliably informed is national "selfie day" so ill get crispy to post some pics as me and the eyepod have once more fallen out. I think its about time to go our seperate ways but we have been travelling together a long time and Im loathe to say goodbye.
Dubrovnik is busy. Mad busy. Not only have you the regular stream of tourist and backpackers but since the hit show Game of thrones was filmed here there are hords of "thronies" milling about.
At every turn there is a tour group drooling over still shots of the show whilst a guide describes the various fictitious events that happened here.
I even overheard one American tosser ask in all seriousness for the directions to the dragon pit. Come on guys. Stay real...
Dubrovnik is not only busy it is expensive. Expensive with a capital E.
The average beer will cost in excess of six pounds sterling. Thus two drinks is upwards of twelve pounds. Being resilient and imaginative we have found a way around this. There are two options.
1. Buy two drinks from a bar and sit on a cushion on the steps of a small side street. (Most streets are not wide enoughbto accomodate tables) Or
2. Buy two of the same drinks from the supermarkets next door for two pounds and sit on the same steps minus cushion and glass.
Its a no brainer and the bar owners dont like it one jot.
When we first got here there was only Crispy and me doing this. Word has spread and now the city is littered with street people swigging grom bottles and cans. The bar owners are furious and our work here is done.
Today we did the sights. Walked the walls, 3 hours, visited the castles, forts and museums. Another 3 hours. Crispy was in her element. It was easily in the high 30's today but as long as she had her white lightning she was fine. I just kept finding a shady corner for her. We stopped at one such shady spot halfway around the city walls. The jealous looks on the sweat soaked faces of the passing crowds was pitiful. They were dehydrated and exhausted whilst we drank beer and ate sandwiches on top of a shady castle tower. Perfect.
Down off the walls and out of the city. I had heard tell of a Lazerretti just outside the port. I was intrigued that it might be a commanderie of the knights of St Lazarus. An order of warrior monks who had contracted leprosy whilst on crusade and provided hospitals for fellow sufferers. We went to explore but I could find no information of any value on it. Fortunately it was on the beach so we desisted in our historical pursuits and went for a swim. It was gorgeous and just what the Doctor ordered.
Its dinner time now so.. "Crispy, wheres the credit card...."?
Bare and Crispy signing of Dubrovnik, Croatia
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