Biking the Balkans

[Noel Mugavin]

Well some Croatian Islands anyway.
Mid-September and a Friday night Emirates flight out of Perth.


Late night dinner and started with the mezze



Tenderloin for mains

No dessert for me. Watched a few episodes of What They Do in the Shadows, then able to get 4 or 5 hours sleep.
About 15 minutes after I woke up, crew came along and asked if I was ready for breakfast.
Cheese omelette


Arrived on time, and the bird I was on


To the lounge for a shower and a coffee. Found a quiet corner to browse on the computer.

Battery was dying fairly quickly so out I went to buy an adaptor. When I went back into the lounge, I wasn't able to scan my boarding pass to get back in. So to the desk I went, and the agent there told me I needed to go to the other terminal. So off I went to the train, and a quick ride to the terminal my plane to Munich would be departing from.




My ride to Munich

 

[RB]

I really enjoy your reports so looking forward to reading about your adventures

 

[OZDUCK]

Looking forward to this. My brother and his wife did a short Balkan Bike Tour a couple of years ago. They struggled a bit with some of the hills and the very hot weather - over 35 C on occasions.

 

[Lat34]

We have sailed numerous Croatian islands “in company” and found them all intriguing. Looking forward to this TR for a different perspective

 

[Noel Mugavin]

On the tarmac




Suburbs of Dubai


I fell asleep not long after, but not too long after I was woken up by one of the crew asking if I wanted breakfast. That was a no and more than a bit annoying.
Unable to get back to sleep browsed the entertainment system and to my delight discovered the Giants/St Kilda Elimination Final was live. you beauty.
Watched that game, then set myself to watch the Brisbane/Port game that followed. Unfortunately Emirates believe in sporting equality, because the feed switched over to a rugby final. Not for me, so listened to some music
Lunch arrived.
Duck confit


Seared chicken

Bavarian countryside


Landed


Arrived at Terminal 1 and fortunately was at the front of the line to get through immigration. Very small holding area and only about 3 booths open.
Through to baggage collection and that was tiny and cramped as well.
Eventually got landside and on to the S-bahn for the short 2 stop trip for my accommodation for the night

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Hotel, right next to the train station



Into the entrance, which was an entrance into the restaurant. Guided by an older lady speaking to me in German through the restaurant to the check-in desk.
Unlike the customs agent, who was very talkative and engaging, the lady at the front desk was all German efficiency.
The room.

The view

Shower than a short wander before heading into Munich.
The hotel entrance

 

[Seat0B]

Ahh the obligatory car park view, I see!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

train station underpass entrance directly under the clock, headed back on to the S-Bahn into Munich proper




I hadn't returned to Munich, or Europe for that matter since 2000. Much different circumstances back then, was in Munich for Oktoberfest and stayed in Thalkirchen campground.
Out of the S-Bahn and smashed in the face with Europe. Marienplatz and the new city hall.


Wandered




It was an absolutely beautiful day.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Dinner was a pork knuckle from a beer house adjacent to the Hofbrauhaus. Afterwards bit more of a walk before heading back to the hotel and to sleep.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Early, but quick, train ride to the airport.

German style breakfast






Flight to Dubrovnik was on a Eurowings A320, booked through Lufthansa. Remote stand, so bus and a bit of an airport tour out to the plane.



A380 on the move






After about 45 minutes the Dalmation Coast came into view.

 

[Seat0B]

love the photo three above of all the alps!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Dubrovnik came into view



Safe touchdown, only 1 other plane here.


On the plane I was pondering why there was no immigration to go through. Finally realised the benefits of the EU. First time I had travelled by plane between European countries.
My ride.

No immigration to go through, however there was a lone policeman prior to baggage claim randomly questioning and checking passenger's passports. I was one of those random passengers. All good though, not too long to wait for baggage, then on to a bus into Dubrovnik. Cost 10 euros and paid at a counter inside the terminal.
Very scenic drive along the coast.








Walled city, just as stunning from the road as it was from the air

 

[Noel Mugavin]

The bus has 3 designated drop-offs, the first quite close to Ploce Gate


Only 5 minutes or so from there to my, and the bus's final destination, Dubrovnik Bus Station.


I had just over an hour before I was due at my apartment, so plenty of time for leisurely stroll and some lunch




Lunch took a lot longer than expected to come out to me, so it was a case of shovelling it down , then getting on the frog and toad to try and get to my rendezvous with the apartment owner's mother who was going to give me the keys.
Arrived at what I had worked out as the right area and was confronted with a myriad of tight alley and laneways with apartments here there and everywhere. Though this was not going to be fun trying to find the right place, when a middle aged woman walked out for behind a building and asked 'are you Noel'. Apologies, shift button not working on the keyboard, so no question mark. Or brackets.
Given the keys, shown how everything worked, pumped the aircon and had a bit of a spell.
Meow Apartment booked through Booking.com, very helpful owner and owner's mother.










Time to get on the feet and head down to the walled city

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Entered the Old Town through the Pile Gate






Intention was to walk the walls, however entry closed in about 15 minutes, so an activity for the next day. 35 euro to do the walk was a bit steep I thought.
Wandered

 

[Noel Mugavin]

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Had a really ordinary squid dish from a restaurant just outside the walls, then made my way back towards my accommodation.







Walked a bit past my unit down to Dubrovnik Port where sat for a while as the sun went down. Very relaxing.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Up and out at about 6.30 down to the port area hoping something would be open so I could grab a coffee.
No luck, but was a pleasant walk








Sveti Vlaho, first vessel of the Armed Boats Squadron of Dubrovnik, sunk in 1991 during the War of Independence, raised and now on permanent display.

Noticed a few people sitting inside a restaurant on the main road close to my apartment. Went in, hoping it was open, had busted in on a staff meeting. Made me a coffee though, so all good.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Monday morning and a dip at Banje Beach was on the menu. Bus down to the old town, and a bit of exploring first.
A climb up Lovrijenac (St Lawrence’s Fortress) was in order






Very pleasant early morning wandering






Kept climbing the steps up to the fortress, however the steps were getting steeper and steeper. Not great for the vertigo. Fortunately, there was a rail for me to cling to most of the way.
There was an entry fee to get into the fortress itself, and more stairs to reach the very top. Enough of a deterrent for me to turn back and get to the safety of ground level.


A walk through the old town on the way to the beach, and a stop for a coffee.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Nice place to sit and have a coffee


Short walk down to the beach




Water was nice and fresh. Pebble beach takes a lot of getting used to though. Murder on the feet, was like a newborn gazelle getting to and from the water

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Pleasant 3 or 4km walk back to the unit for a shower and a nanna nap