DUBROVNIK- CROATIA...

A couple of weeks ago, I joined Shagga, Bluey and Woody on a little trip through Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro. Having never been there before, I had no idea of the beauty that this part of the world had to offer. Sparkling blue water, sheer rock walls, and medievil fortified towns. Although much restoration has taken place since the war of the 1990's, it's still a terribly charming place.

This is the sort of coastline you can expect to see, and the water we were forced to swim in. It was hot at this time of year... 35 degrees, so lazing about by the waters edge was our main focus.

I was on hand to witness this daredevil execute a perfect dive into the blue from at least 12 metres.


Lunch was another difficult decision... should I have the mussels, the squid, seafood risotto, or the local specialty- squid ink risotto. Maybe abit of each. Washed down with an infinately drinkable local beer, and some bread with oil and vinegar. Yum.

If that wasn't enough, theres ice-creameries galore. Here the crew hook in on the main street in Dubrovnik, just before sunset.

Climbing around the city walls late in the afternoon, offers up some pretty beautiful scenery. Up on the hill in the background was where Serbian forces set up camp, lobbing mortars down onto the old town.

Nooks and crannies everywhere.... exploring this old town was alot of fun.

On the long climb up to our apartment (470 uneven steps) you can catch glimpses of the old fort through crumbling walls.

And little offerings to Saints and Guardians of this ancient place.

I got up early one morning to walk the city walls, before the heat kicked in. And it was well worth the effort.

You get a much better perspective of the architecture and design of the old town.

I particularly love the old roof tiles. Slowly but surely they are being replaced with new ones since most were damaged during shelling by the Serbs.

Even the new ones have a certain appeal to them though.

This is the view from the base of the tallest tower of the city fortifications.

Some detail of carvings on one of the cities palaces.

And heres a picture of Bluey's place. Situated in Raba, about an hour north of Dubrovnik. He's just finished the renovations.... you should have seen it before.

Next stop Bosnia.....