May 31, 2019 - Kotor to Dubrovnik, Croatia

Friday, May 31, 2019 Kotor – Dubrovnik An early morning as we showered, packed our last things and were at breakfast shortly after 7am. The bus came at 8 am. There was some issues loading everything in the separate, attached packing area but we got everything with us! Slobodan also came and led us one by one safely into the bus because it was a very busy road in rush hour. We all got safely in the bus and started our drive along the coast and on to Dubrovnik. We drove through a town where we had to go around a trailer that had rolled...

May 27, 2019 - Cure for sore knees?? - climb 1,200 steps!!

It’s our grandson’s 6th Birthday today. We had to phone Australia last night, as his birthday would be over if we’d waited till morning. He sent us back a beautiful birthday video message at the end of his special day. Did we think Spring was here - yes, it was for 2 hours yesterday and now back in winter gear. Locals say normally it is swimming weather - not this year! The Cruise ship crowds are here by 9 am, so we decided to beat the crowds and walk the Wall early today. It opened at 8am. It can take two/ two and a half hours to get round...

May 26, 2019 - Treading paths of 13th Century ancestors.

On our own again, as most of the group left early ( 3 am ) to fly home. Today, we moved from our Hotel. We are here for 3 more days, but the room the tour company had booked for the group up till now, would have cost us $500 a night. So we packed our goods, and took a taxi to accommodation David had booked on line from Australia - in the “Old Town”. we’re going back to the 13th Century’s! We are in the centre of activity - our apartment is on the 3rd floor - only up 57 steps of a very narrow, steep, limestone staircase. Heather made a joke...

May 25, 2019 - Time to farewell new friends

What glorious weather - I think spring has really sprung here. Today a morning coach trip to Cavtat. What a beautiful Island, and we had time to walk around the whole island. It is near the Dubrovnik airport, with planes constantly flying over head. Had coffee with friends from our group at the boat harbour. On the way back to our Hotel, we both went exploring the Old Town to confirm our accommodation booking for the next 2 nights. We found it, and now need to start preparing ourselves for the 3 flights of stairs tomorrow with all our...

May 23, 2019 - Ready to go again

Feeling much rested. Must admit we were both feeling tired from early mornings, full day sight seeing, then dinner and late nights. But we have learnt so much and had so many new experiences. Late start from Island of Korcula. Still only seeing the sun for brief periods, then we’re back into winter jackets. Caught the ferry back to the mainland to drive to Dubrovnik. This ferry trip, David and I sat up top of the ferry for some photo opportunities. We had just sat down, when a large group of Asians came and sat all around us. None could...

May 22, 2019 - Croatia

On to Croatia We had some time to shop before we left Mostar. Like Sarajevo and as I mentioned in the last post it has an old town which is primarily used by tourists but delightful all the same. We did find one piece to buy-a tray made of copper, covered with nickel and then engraved so that the design is copper coloured. This craft is protected by UNESCO but has largely faded out as a craft in Mostar and a lot more is done in Sarajevo. Similarly with all the copper products, there were more men making copper items in Sarajevo. Then it was...

May 22, 2019 - Free time to STOP

Very relaxing morning - Free time to sleep in! Then David and I walked the medieval town and took a picnic lunch to sit by the water front. At 3.30 pm, the group had a scenic coastal cruise of this old port town. It was so relaxing. Passed the large Franciscan monastery, where there are now only 2 monks in residence. The Island is 30 kms long, and down the other end, we landed and enjoyed a traditional dinner of fish or steak in the home of a local resident, sitting under his pergola covered with grape vines. Early to bed.

May 22, 2019 - Vukovar to Ilok (Croatia)

Vukovar to Ilok Then it was on to another winery in Ilok! It was a nice drive through small villages and a very lush, green landscape. The winery is partly built within the remnants of a castle. The wine cellars are built into a hill where the steady temperature is kept at 15 degrees. After the tour through the wine cellars, we ended up on a covered patio where tables were set with glasses, cheese and bread, ready for us to start the wine tasting. We tasted three kinds of wines: two white ones and one red. The wines tasted very good, the...

May 22, 2019 - Osijek to Vukovar (Croatia)

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 Travelling from Osijek to Vukovar; Another early morning. We left our guesthouse at 8 am in three vehicles: 2 vans and an old model (1970) Mercedes. The Mercedes belongs to our host’s father who had been chartered to help with transporting our group. Our first stop was a war memorial in the Vukovar hospital. Our local guide Matay found it emotionally distressing to go there and even having to translate some of the information. He told us that being there brings up many memories for him. Our tour leader is Serbian...

May 21, 2019 - Will we/won’t we

On the road again - well actually the water, on the Ferry back to the mainland. Up at 5 am, breakfast 6 am and departure 7 am! The morning sun (yes, that’s correct, please note the word SUN - it’s shining today!) glistening on the clear dark blue water of the Adriatic Sea. It was so beautiful. (the sun disappeared about an hour later, and cloud and wind persisted) Heading to Bosnia Herzegovina - this country is a tripartide controlled by Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia. Saw the commencement of a bridge across the sea between Croatia to Bosnia....

May 21, 2019 - Osijek

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Baranya Tour Early breakfast this morning – we were leaving 8:15 am to start our whole day outing. We drove in two vans – our first stop was the Nature Park Kopackic Rit. The park is a protected wetland area. We did a boardwalk through part of the wetlands where we admired swans on their nests, turtles and frogs. We heard the birds sing, didn’t really see them. We would have like to take more time to enjoy the surroundings and watch the animals, but we had to catch a boat. The boat ride through another area of the...

May 20, 2019 - Collecting herbs

Today, a tour of the Island. Our guide stopped in the countryside to explain the herbs we picked growing along the side of the road, and how they can be used as herbal medicines and in cooking. Lavender and Rosemary grow everywhere, and many of the roads are lined with Olive trees. Our room in the Hotel looks out on olive trees in their garden. One of the oldest towns in Europe is StariGrad. It is a UNESCO-Protected World Heritage site. There we visited the 16th Century Castle of the Croatian Renaissance poet and composer, Petar...