Dalmatian Coast cruising without a dog in sight

[Pushka]

Some photos from yesterday.
Nice taster breakfast. Two savoury and one sweet.

 

[Pushka]

The lounge in Zurich Boarding Area E took some finding but it has just been upgraded. They are currently upgrading Area A. It was around lunchtime by now but next flight in just under an hour would be serving lunch so more just a refresh here.



The quiet area. Is in the pathway to the toilets so not sure how that works out.



The Usuals.

 

[Pushka]

The best thing about Zurich airport is this: an outside Terrace.





Our plan. Swiss airlines subsidiary. Or something.

 

[Pushka]

Yesterday in Dubrovnik


Today. Not ours.



Not ours.



Ours is in here somewhere.

 

[love_the_life]

Where's yours?

Mmmm. love Movenpick but especially a rhubarb one they used to do.

 

[Pushka]

Where's yours?

Mmmm. love Movenpick but especially a rhubarb one they used to do.

It’s the white one

 

[love_the_life]

It’s the white one

With the blue and red stripe? Ot the bigger one to the right?

 

[Pushka]

With the blue and red stripe? Ot the bigger one to the right?

Well that was a snaffu. We were told to meet at the jetty - Gruz Harbour, near the market. Taxi dropped us off. Plenty of like boats, just not ours. The crew from another cruise line were fabulous to us and another couple. Apparently ours was berthed under the span bridge and had been since yesterday. It’s a 30 minutes walk over gravel and gutters. And it’s hot. Taxis only wanting longer rides from cruise passengers. We start walking. Caught up with another couple also on the boat. Same deal.

Took us close to an hour. The gravel was the worst. Finally found the Cruise Director under the bridge. We were all flushed hot and sweating. She replied something like - ‘we didn’t know’. Mmmm. We suggested they should have someone at the original berth to let others know.

The thing is that we are suppposed to get off once unpacked and go get lunch then dinner. But we are in the middle of nowhere really. So everyone’s a bit peeved. So I think they are getting some food in tonight. Taxis don’t come out here. Our original berth had lots of nice restaurants and coffee shops.

There will be 37 people onboard. So far, 24 Aussies. Can you believe it?

And so far we seem to be the only ones whose documents said we had to tip. The couple we met with said No Way after the mix up. Not their fault of course but they aren’t thinking what it means to trudge for an hour or so with suitcases in the heat. One crew actually thought it was funny. Our new found friend suggested it wasn’t the least bit.

Cabin is fine. Comfortable. Small bathroom. Clean and fresh. The last person left the safe open but locked. Why do people do that?

 

[RooFlyer]

Rounding up maybe but not adding an extra 10%. Oh well, I only have 85 € on me. There will be tears. Not mine.

Hoping its not a 10% 'added service charge' then?

The best thing about Zurich airport is this: an outside Terrace.

.. and the chocolate in the lounges

 

[Pushka]

Hoping its not a 10% 'added service charge' then?



.. and the chocolate in the lounges

And the flights.

 

[Pushka]

Last night the boat crew put on a dinner because of the docking issue. It was enjoyable. Today after a breakfast we are off to a short history walk in Dubrovnik then we set sail for the Mjet National Park which sounds amazing. There is an excellent relax lounge upstairs with lounges in sun and shade.

So apart from 3 couples from the USA we are all Aussies. Who would have thought. We’ve met up with four other couples all our age and we are having a great social time. They are cricket nuts and are fascinated with MrP’s cricket stories. We have a Wayne, Wozza for short. There is always a Wayne. He looks like Max Walker.

Only 6.45am. Off to breakfast shortly before the tour. And the weather so far is amazing. Swimming later today in the National Park.

 

[henleybeach]

Last night the boat crew put on a dinner because of the docking issue. It was enjoyable. Today after a breakfast we are off to a short history walk in Dubrovnik then we set sail for the Mjet National Park which sounds amazing. There is an excellent relax lounge upstairs with lounges in sun and shade.

So apart from 3 couples from the USA we are all Aussies. Who would have thought. We’ve met up with four other couples all our age and we are having a great social time. They are cricket nuts and are fascinated with MrP’s cricket stories. We have a Wayne, Wozza for short. There is always a Wayne. He looks like Max Walker.

Only 6.45am. Off to breakfast shortly before the tour. And the weather so far is amazing. Swimming later today in the National Park.

We went to mjet National park a couple years ago. Beautiful , is that the one with the lake ? If so we went kayaking and it was great fun

 

[henleybeach]

Just Found this on my phone from Mljet at sunset .

 

[Pushka]

We overnighted on the boat in Dubrovnik. Some quick snaps of the main deck. There’s an upper deck I’ve not found yet.

 

[love_the_life]

......

So apart from 3 couples from the USA we are all Aussies. Who would have thought. We’ve met up with four other couples all our age and we are having a great social time. They are cricket nuts and are fascinated with MrP’s cricket stories. We have a Wayne, Wozza for short. There is always a Wayne. He looks like Max Walker.
.......

Actually it would probably annoy me to have such a high number of Australians on the boat. One of things I really enjoy about travelling overseas (and cruising) is having a variety of people from different countries. Seem to have had run ins with a few in the past. It may be linked to the fact that we come from CBR and many of the less 'intelligent' seem to equate that with a) the government or b) a view that people who live here have no idea of the real world or c) people are all 'fat cat' public servants who have never done a day's work. Mr LtL is not backward in telling people where to get off!
Anyway, enough rant. Weather looks glorious and I think you will be visiting some of the more hidden spots with the small boat. I couldn't help noticing the buses lined up at the wharf for the big cruise ships.

 

[Pushka]

Actually it would probably annoy me to have such a high number of Australians on the boat. One of things I really enjoy about travelling overseas (and cruising) is having a variety of people from different countries. Seem to have had run ins with a few in the past. It may be linked to the fact that we come from CBR and many of the less 'intelligent' seem to equate that with a) the government or b) a view that people who live here have no idea of the real world or c) people are all 'fat cat' public servants who have never done a day's work. Mr LtL is not backward in telling people where to get off!
Anyway, enough rant. Weather looks glorious and I think you will be visiting some of the more hidden spots with the small boat. I couldn't help noticing the buses lined up at the wharf for the big cruise ships.

We’ve found our companions. There is maybe 4 unusuals. Bob, from New Jersey is fascinating. Knows Jersey Boys before they were Jersey Boys. Knows all about Mafia. Ran numbers game to pay for College. Very clever sense of humour.

 

[love_the_life]

We’ve found our companions. There is maybe 4 unusuals. Bob, from New Jersey is fascinating. Knows Jersey Boys before they were Jersey Boys. Knows all about Mafia. Ran numbers game to pay for College. Very clever sense of humour.

Just thought. As there are so many Australians do you get out of having to sing a song from your country?

 

[Pushka]

Just thought. As there are so many Australians do you get out of having to sing a song from your country?

Really hoping so. I have my music ready on iPhone if not.

Finally we have left Dubrovnik. At 12 noon.



But first we had a walking tour of the old town. Not climbing the walls. Thank god. It was hot and crowded. After the first 30 minutes we were a bit glazed over.

First a panorama of the city. Not the best vantage though we knew. Not to worry.









Dubrovnik is ancient but almost decimated in what is know here as The Homeland War. The bombings came from neighbours Montenegro and the Serbs. As recently as the mid ‘90’s. Being a UNESCO city they had to replace the tiles as close as possible to original but the difference is obvious.

 

[Pushka]

 

[Pushka]

Gorgeous internal gardens. Cafes etc. but we just had to keep touring and walking ....











The girl in white is Lana our Tour Director. The girl in blue jumpsuit was the guide for Dubrovnik. Each state has to have their own guide for the region.