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| Pooch on board - Bol |
We took a ferry trip from Brač to the nearby island of Hvar - a small bay town surrounded by 13th century walls and an important base for commanding trade up and down the Adriatic across to Italy and throughout the wider Adriatic. According to the Lonely Planet, it apparently appeals to 'well-heeled' guests, so it was nice for a day visit... but even nicer to get back to Bol. We're feeling quite at home in our wee seaside village, full of stone houses and winding streets.
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| View of Hvar from the fortress |
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| Hvar |
Awoke to sun.
Finally were able to enjoy some time on the ole Zlatni Rat - filled with smooth white peebles and other tourists. The sea was refreshing after being kissed by the sun.
Everywhere we go, there is the constant backdrop of the mainland - this almighty craggy mountain range that tumbles down to the coast which is pierced with white stone buildings and orange tiled roofs.
It's pretty breathtaking.
And the freedom of a car = awesome.
By late afternoon we headed to the other side of the island, back to my nanas village of Postira to meet more rellies - Pavo (Paul) and Evelyn. I see Pavo has our bad sense of humour. But he made us a home cooked dinner and Evelyn supplied us with maps and info galore, they have both travelled Croatia so was great to get some tips. They also travel abroad a lot these two. Come to NZ I said. Too far they replied...
I guess we kiwis are used to going far - because we kinda have to if we want to go anywhere... far... you know what I mean...
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| Pavo and Evelyn |
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| On route to dinner in Postira - this is our trusty wagon! And an olive tree! |
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| Markarska |
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| Markarska |
So it's goodbye to Bol, Postira, Donji Humac, family roots, the island of Brač.
We downed our strong coffees, stocked up on a bit of the local olive oil and drove to Sumartin to catch a ferry back to the mainland.
This time we docked at the pretty port town of Markarska - a spot favoured by tourists from neighbouring Bosnia and Hercegovina, and more importantly Jays rellies home town.
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| A wedding in the old city of Dubrovnik |
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| Desert. Note the smurf. |
Greeted with a couple of huge cruise liners heaving with tourists, belting out the theme to the Love Boat :)
We are staying just outside of the tourist-jammed old city in a place called Lapad - but hot diggidty dam, we have never laid eyes on a more gloriously god dam gorgeous old city than this.
We joke how ugly it is here, as we walk around in wide eyed, open mouthed awe - caught each other doing so, so amped it up a notch. Or three.
And as ya do when you're in an old city on the other side of the world, bumped into someone from work, ha!
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| We saw an angel in the old city |
Sunday 22nd June -
The old city walls and forts, built between the 13th and 16th centuries, are Dubrovniks main claim to fame. We hit them early (hit the wall one could say) so as to avoid A) the heat of the day and B) the hordes the hordes. Can only imagine how bonkers it gets here in July- Sept - word is they may even have to limit visitor numbers to the town during the peak season as the main thoroughfares can get impossibly crowded.
The 2km walk of the city walls offers stunning views over the town and sea. I clogged my camera with photos of roofs for crying out loud. Ridiculously enticing angles and views everywhere you look.
And an overflow of stray kitty cats.
Neats has been getting her fill of Ston oysters, (cultivated in the bay of Mali Ston, whose sea is considered to be the cleanest and clearest in the wooooooorld) because they are ridiculously cheap compared to back home.
I'm on the look-out for cake.
No surprises there.
And hello! Theres that colleague from work again. How small is this city?! Of all the cities...
A somewhat sobering yet powerful visit to an exhibition down in the city at the War Photo museum. It declares its intention to 'expose the myth of war...on how war inflicts injustices on innocents and combatants alike'. Achieved. Tissues required even.
Theres a permanent exhibition on the war in former Yugoslavia, and a current intense exhibition on the Syrian war.
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| Up on the old city walls - Dubrovnik. Game of Throoooooooooones dun dun duuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. |
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| Dubrovnik |
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| With Evelyn and Pavo - dads cuzzie wuzzie
As you can imagine theres still a bit to see and do of this country. We head off again in a few days time - a bit of an island hop and then north to sample the delights up that way - we are on the hunt for lobster and truffles because when in Croatia...and its our birthdays soon after all :)
Hope all is well and happy back home
Love us
xxx
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