Final days Dubrovnik

While it may seem we are go.. go... go.. it has not really been the case. In all places we have been we felt like we have had enough time to see what we wanted as well as fit in some down time for relaxing. Mark has nearly finished his book he brought and I have read a couple of books already and have the next 2 lined up. Mark has his eye on one I bought here which is very interesting. It is by a Croatian journalist/ author and her insights to life in the Balkans after Communism. It explains so much of what we have seen and questioned and allowed us lots of discussion already.

Yesterday, after a morning at home enjoying the view while reading on the terrace, we went for a walk along our road and back and then to the far side of the walled city and beyond. Further along our road is predominantly residential with lots of the houses have rooms to rent to tourists. It is obvious they have realised this can be a good way to support their income. There are also some old but lovely hotels built in the 30s. All of them are right on the waters edge. One thing we noted is though they are closer to the water they dont have the fab view we have! though... they do not have to deal with the steps we do. We have seen the old advertisments for these hotels and they are like pictures of Sophia Loren in her young days, laying on the beach with a child. The woman is in a bikini whereas the child is in traditional Croatian costume. Guess they were offering the beach as well as a cultural experience all in one ad.

Beyond the old city we found a great park (a bit like Burleigh Hill) hidden behind the main road of houses and up a narrow path and many steps again. We were the only ones there and spent an hour just watching the water and chatting. The weather over the past couple of days has been cool again, overcast and at times windy and wet.

We found another fabulous restaurant for lunch. We had planned on a good lunch with snack dinner at home. After an apperitif of fresh anchovies (on the house) Mussels (me), Beef Carpaccio (Mark) and our main course of Veal medallions with local smoked aged ham and fresh sage and the compulsory glass of wine, we rolled out the door and we were pleased we had a good walk back.

This is a picture of a door we just loved. through it is an old open courtyard. This building is now used for an art gallery as well they have one room designated to a memorial for the men who died in the Balkans war in the early 90s. It is really sad to see the damage done just to the old city let alone the rest of Dubrovnik. At least 70% of the buildings within the old city were damaged. 50% lost their rooves. Many were set on fire. There is also alot of bullet hole damage still evident in many walls. Today they are still working towards repairing the city. alot of work is going on, though in a fairly discreet way so as not to hinder the tourist flow through the city.

I have included another shot of some of the steps up to our place. Possibly by including another picture you too can feel the pain.

Once we have got through our gate we have steps from the gate to the first level then there are these steps for us up to our attic apartment.

I didnt mention that on our arrival when we first walked through the gate with Nika, I looked up to see bigger breasts than mine. He went on to explain their Cocker Spaniel (standing on a landing just above our heads) had had 11 puppies 3 days earlier. The poor girl was sure packing some milk for those puppies.

Yesterday when we got home one of the pups had escaped and Mark gently picked it up and put it back in their pen.

This morning we came down to find another was out, and this time he had to chase it a little to catch it and put it in the pen. Well some of the other puppies thought this looked like a good game and as quick as he could catch them and put them in another would escape. At one stage there were 5 pups he was chasing as they happily frolicked around the small garden. It was very funny to watch. I was no help, just laughed with him while taking photos. Here are a couple of photos (blurred, sorry) one of Mark pushing one through the bars and another of 3 escaping while his back was turned. We do not know what we will be coming back to today!!

This is our fabulous fridge we mentioned. Im not sure if you can see the glow on the ceiling above the green machine. Well we have to close our bedroom door because with this light as well as the fact that the door is glass and the light is always on inside, it lights up the whole apartment at night. Mark is wearing his beanie because we had been out on the terrace and the wind was ver chilly.

Note, the sloped ceiling. Great for bumping ones head. I am up to a count of 5 times and Mark only once.

At the bottom of the steps to the first road from our place there has always been a bus parked. Picture a one way, one lane road so the bus took up considerable space and was as close as possible to the building. Well this morning when we came down it was gone. Little did we know it had been parked at the "bus depot". Unfortunately they do not quite have the space and facilites that Koala does. Not sure if you can see the writing on the door saying "Bus Garage - No Parking". Possibly the grape vine on the awning above the doors means they also produce their own wine!! When will Koala get its act together and start producing wine?

Later today we are flying from Dubrovnik to Catania in Sicily. We will have one night there (as we fly in at 10:30pm tonight having gone via Rome) and will then head up to Taormina the following day. We will have one day there and then Sue will be joining us again for about 10 days during which time we will also visit Cefalu and then Positano. What fun we are having!!

We are also very excited as it is getting closer to when our kids arrive. We miss them lots and look forward to seeing them come off the plane in Rome.