10.15.22 - 10.18.22 Dubrovnik

 10/15/22 

We left the motor yacht this morning and checked into our apartment for the next three nights. I went to the small supermarket. Only about a ten minute walk - of course that doesn't factor in all the steps. I walked up and down them. Very reasonable prices. Two bottles of local red wine, a loaf of freshly baked bread, coffee, two kinds of meats, two kinds of cheese, two bags of potato chips. All for $240 KUNA (about $30 USD).

10/16/22

After some coffee, we will take a walk down towards the old city, perhaps find some lunch and get a ferry to Lokrum Island. That is the land mass that our apartment faces. There are walking paths, a monastery and a botanical garden from the 11th century. The island is said to be cursed. The monks from the monastery were forced to leave and before they did, supposedly put a curse on anyone that tried to seek control of the island. Hopefully that won't apply to some American tourists just out for a visit.

After some morning coffee on the deck, we took the twenty minute walk to Old Town to board the ferry to Lokrum Island. The ferry took fifteen minutes. Once we disembarked, we saw the map of the whole island. So many places to walk. We used a clockwise approach. It has so many different kinds of places. It has areas where you can swim, including changing rooms and showers.

There is a main trail that will get you to the major sights. But here are also more adventurous areas where you can hike on smaller, more wooded trails. And there is also a clothing optional beach for those who brought enough sunscreen.

After about two hours we came to one of the four cafes spread across the island and had a local Ragusa beer plus a terrific Greek salad and charcuterie board. The grilled halloumi cheese and the smokey prosciutto were the highlights.

More sightseeing though the old monastery which had an exhibit all about the filming of Game of Thrones. I've only seen one episode of the show so almost all of this was lost on me, except for the iron throne.

The most challenging hike was the one to Fort Royal. So many steps and a significant incline. But we made it to the top!!

Then it was a rocky, steep hike down the other side as we headed to the pier to get the ferry back. But not before a stop for some delicious rosemary gin and tonics!!

Once we were back in the Old Town, we made the effort to find the hidden Buka Bar. This is a bar right on the cliffs. We had the best seats in the house!!

We got a text that some of our travel mates from the yacht met up in the square so we joined them for dinner.

10/17/22

We had our morning coffee and then took a walk towards the Old Town for some lunch. Stopped at the Banje Beach Club for some delicious octopus salad.

So much octopus along with tomatoes and red onion in a balsamic vinaigrette. Also had fish and chips and steamed cod.

After lunch we headed into Old Town to check out a street a few levels up from main drag. So many wine bars and restaurants!! You could certainly eat here for a month and not go to the same place. We had a few interesting wines at a wine bar including a local orange wine. A bit like a rose, but has a funkiness you just can't describe.

Then it was time for what was proclaimed by their sign as the best gelato in Old Town. I didn't try any others but theirs was very good. Creamy and chocolatey with some chocolate flakes for crunch.

Then we did some people watching down by the pier. So many boats and ferries!!

Then it was back to the apartment. Still pretty full from lunch, we decided on a snack dinner. We had some cheese left from our second day and we stopped for some crackers at the store. And we had two bottled of the Hvar wine as well. Just enjoyed the sunset!! Also seeing and hearing all the boats.

10/18/22

Off to London we go