bol – Travels with Lori

June 28, 2019

We woke up to a beautiful day but very windy. Everyone was excited to go to the Great Horn beach in Bol on the island of Brac. Unfortunately we were not able to due to the high winds.

The two pics below are of the famous beach from above-not my pictures.

We were scheduled to spend the whole morning at this beach and swim. We were so disappointed but of course understood.

The wind was so strong we couldn’t even sit out on the sundeck!

Thankfully it still was a beautiful day so the Captain cruised to the other side of the island that was protected from the wind and we searched for a place to swim now that it is calm.

Everyone is looking and eagerly waiting to swim!

This area looks pretty good.

We’re all like little kids who can’t wait to play!

Our lunch today was amazing! Gnocchi in a Parmesan sauce and baby lamb chops, which I really don’t like but enjoyed these!

Omiš is our stop after lunch, it is back on the mainland not far south of Split.

Look at the dot right above Splitska, that is Omiš at the mouth of the Centine River.

View from above (not my picture)

Time for an afternoon of river rafting on the Cetine River!

It started out calm but it was so hot out we couldn’t wait to get splashed.

And cool off with a swim!

Morena jumping off the rock.

Ready to go!

So much fun and the perfect weather.

Getting ready for the Captain’s Dinner tonight, our last night.

Cocktails to start

Beautiful sunset as we arrive into Split, our final stop and where we started.

The dining room set up nicely for the special dinner.

Captain Dino makes his speech

Local Tuna Carpaccio

Mussels

Captain Dino’s favorite local musicians. They were really good and fun! Everyone enjoyed their entertainment during dinner.

Seared Local Sea Bass

Molten Chocolate Cake

Fun times dancing then a trip into Split.

Wandering through the maze of Diocletian’s Palace.

This picture came out better than the one I was taking.

Not easy to find your ship when they are all tied together so you have to walk through each one to get to the next-and they all look similar!

June 24, 2019

Luggage update, I followed up this morning with Aeroflot and the Tivat Airport Lost & Found department. They were hoping it might arrive this morning on the 9:15am flight from Moscow…it didn’t…so back to the same clothes as yesterday. I did get an email later that day that it was on the same flight today that I took yesterday, arriving at 5:30pm in Tivat-I was excited.

My driver was supposed to pick me up at 10am this morning but that had to be put off. They didn’t know how long it would take to send it to me once I cross the country into Croatia, they couldn’t do that easily.

We arrived to the airport at 5:30pm on our way to Dubrovnik. I went in with a positive feeling and lost and found said is this your bag? It wasn’t, they said this is what they sent….I went out to the belt to look around for myself….nothing. I started crying because I didn’t know what we could do. They were figuring out a plan and planned them to send from Moscow to Zagreb then Split-where I’m cruising from. I was just so worried I wouldn’t have it in time for departure. So I walked out defeated, red eyes and head down. As I was walking down the steps the lost and found lady ran out to me, there’s another bag they just found. We excitedly ran in and the belt starts again and my bag appeared! I was so happy I hugged her! Fresh, clean clothes and all my stuff!!

I got in the car and Zoran and I headed up to Croatia! Since it was after 6pm and he knew the tricks, we went to the less popular border crossing and got through in about 10 minutes.

The approach into Dubrovnik was spectacular as the sun was setting! So we stopped at a high vantage point and admired the beauty of the walled city.

Since the Old Town is completely surrounded by a wall, I was dropped off at one of the gates. As I navigated through Dubrovnik, it was already starting to hop, music, people, cafes, a lively scene. I couldn’t wait to get out and experience it.

Dubrovnik’s riches came from shipbuilding and the salt trade and has a beautiful old port, Stara Luka nested behind St. John’s Fort.

I am right on the famous Stradun or Placa-the main thoroughfare through town. The place to see and be seen. It was very busy but the cruise ships left so the crowds weren’t as bad at night.

Dubrovnik is the “Pearl of the Adriatic” and flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries. Luckily it never developed that socialist dullness like many of the other cities did during the Tito years of Yugoslavia. It was always the the glittering tourist destination bringing in money. Until 1991 when it was the only coastal city in Croatia to be dragged into the war and the city was devastated and tourism gone. Today it is back and better than ever albeit too many tourists!

I went to Dalmatino on recommendation for great seafood and atmosphere and it didn’t disappoint!

I ordered cold dry glass of local Rose to start, Local Tuna Sashimi with Mixed Salad, Spring Onions and Black Risotto with Cuttlefish-made with the ink from the cuttlefish-it had a very distinctive briny taste, I loved it. The dinner was even better than I expected.

I don’t mind going out to dinner alone at all, I actually enjoy it once in a while. I like to read and enjoy my food slowly plus the waiters always talk to me so I enjoy learning about new people.

Probably the hardest part after dinner was where to go?! Every door in every alley was spilling with music and people. Outdoor cafes lined the streets too and every seat was full. Groups of friends were laughing and having fun going from place to place. Dubrovnik has a great nightlife!

The views from my window were pretty and right on the Stradun so I could hear all the fun but it was so hot I had to close the windows and put on the air conditioner.

The best time to enjoy Dubrovnik’s Old Town is early morning before the day trippers and cruise ship guests descend upon the town. I really enjoyed seeing the town like this!