Day 104 - Ferry to Dubrovnik
Saturday, October 13, 2018.
Sunshine saved the day today! Our alarms didn't work -- well, I forgot to turn mine on and Daniel's didn't buzz. Sunshine calmly walked in to wake us up at 6:40am, 20 minutes before we had to leave the house, asking if we were taking the ferry. We threw our clothes on. Luckily, we had everything packed ready, including breakfast, so we were able to leave the house on time to walk to the port.
Walking along the waterfront and seeing the sunrise and the birds made me sad to think that I did not go for a walk a single day. I haven't been able to get up early and go for a walk like I said I would, mostly because we go to bed late and because we walk a lot during the day, but I still need my alone time.
Anyway, we made it to the ferry on time. We sat next to two lovely ladies who happened to be nurses. Their names were Kathy and Lacey. I thought I was going to read and sleep but instead, we chatted and chatted and chatted the entire 4 hours to Dubrovnik. The ferry was very pleasant, and we got to see a few islands on the way -- besides, the bus has lots of curves and has to cross 2 borders to get to Dubrovnik, so it was a much smoother ride, in both senses. Time flew and before we knew it, we were there! We said our goodbyes and got out of the ferry to catch an Uber. Oddly enough, we ended up taking a taxi that charged less than Uber, which has set fares in Dubrovnik. A few minutes later, the driver dropped us at the entrance of the old town and we sat on a bench to eat our sandwiches since check in time was at 2:00pm.
We walked through the main gate called Pile, which you have seen if you watch Game of Thrones! I have to say it was very impressive and magical. Like you are walking into another world! We walked in and we followed Gregory to our house. When he found the street and we saw all the stairs, he went by himself to find the house. We had to climb 93 stairs with heavy suitcases. Gregory had read that there were stairs, but I did not imagine that many -- and that steep. Wow, that was quite a climb! Just when we thought we were done, we open the door to the apartment and ... surprise! More stairs to climb. When you walk in, there is a bedroom on "street" level. Then you have to climb more stairs to make it to the kitchen and bathroom, and then you climb another flight to the kids' room!
Anyway, we made it and we were happy. We rested for a little bit and then we went out looking for a grocery store for Gregorio's beer (first) and groceries (second). We actually walked up those 93 steps again to drop off the groceries before heading out again. Afterward, we walked around the city and found the French Canadian couple we had met on the bus to Split! Their names were Natalie and Ken and they showed us a hidden little beach just outside the wall. Well, not so hidden but definitely less touristy where we took some nice pictures. Again, Game of Thrones fans will recognize the location as the dock and beach where Cersei and Littlefinger stood, among other scenes.
After that, we went looking for a restaurant because Gregory had promised to take us out. Every restaurant was expensive: pasta at $15, meat dishes at $25. We found a cute outdoor restaurant called Magnolia. I had the chicken with mushroom and it was delicious! We had a very nice dinner, with the view of the medieval wall. Food is important to me, maybe not so much to my family but I think it's part of the experience. Unfortunately, we can not go out often otherwise our trip would only last a few months!
We walked a little more in the old town and then went home. Gregory wanted to go out for drinks because it was Saturday but when he and I walked back down the 93 steps to town, he said that he was too tired and wasn't going to make it. He hadn't realized he was running on fumes from waking up at 6:40 and going since then!
Sunshine saved the day today! Our alarms didn't work -- well, I forgot to turn mine on and Daniel's didn't buzz. Sunshine calmly walked in to wake us up at 6:40am, 20 minutes before we had to leave the house, asking if we were taking the ferry. We threw our clothes on. Luckily, we had everything packed ready, including breakfast, so we were able to leave the house on time to walk to the port.
Walking along the waterfront and seeing the sunrise and the birds made me sad to think that I did not go for a walk a single day. I haven't been able to get up early and go for a walk like I said I would, mostly because we go to bed late and because we walk a lot during the day, but I still need my alone time.
Anyway, we made it to the ferry on time. We sat next to two lovely ladies who happened to be nurses. Their names were Kathy and Lacey. I thought I was going to read and sleep but instead, we chatted and chatted and chatted the entire 4 hours to Dubrovnik. The ferry was very pleasant, and we got to see a few islands on the way -- besides, the bus has lots of curves and has to cross 2 borders to get to Dubrovnik, so it was a much smoother ride, in both senses. Time flew and before we knew it, we were there! We said our goodbyes and got out of the ferry to catch an Uber. Oddly enough, we ended up taking a taxi that charged less than Uber, which has set fares in Dubrovnik. A few minutes later, the driver dropped us at the entrance of the old town and we sat on a bench to eat our sandwiches since check in time was at 2:00pm.
We walked through the main gate called Pile, which you have seen if you watch Game of Thrones! I have to say it was very impressive and magical. Like you are walking into another world! We walked in and we followed Gregory to our house. When he found the street and we saw all the stairs, he went by himself to find the house. We had to climb 93 stairs with heavy suitcases. Gregory had read that there were stairs, but I did not imagine that many -- and that steep. Wow, that was quite a climb! Just when we thought we were done, we open the door to the apartment and ... surprise! More stairs to climb. When you walk in, there is a bedroom on "street" level. Then you have to climb more stairs to make it to the kitchen and bathroom, and then you climb another flight to the kids' room!
Anyway, we made it and we were happy. We rested for a little bit and then we went out looking for a grocery store for Gregorio's beer (first) and groceries (second). We actually walked up those 93 steps again to drop off the groceries before heading out again. Afterward, we walked around the city and found the French Canadian couple we had met on the bus to Split! Their names were Natalie and Ken and they showed us a hidden little beach just outside the wall. Well, not so hidden but definitely less touristy where we took some nice pictures. Again, Game of Thrones fans will recognize the location as the dock and beach where Cersei and Littlefinger stood, among other scenes.
After that, we went looking for a restaurant because Gregory had promised to take us out. Every restaurant was expensive: pasta at $15, meat dishes at $25. We found a cute outdoor restaurant called Magnolia. I had the chicken with mushroom and it was delicious! We had a very nice dinner, with the view of the medieval wall. Food is important to me, maybe not so much to my family but I think it's part of the experience. Unfortunately, we can not go out often otherwise our trip would only last a few months!
We walked a little more in the old town and then went home. Gregory wanted to go out for drinks because it was Saturday but when he and I walked back down the 93 steps to town, he said that he was too tired and wasn't going to make it. He hadn't realized he was running on fumes from waking up at 6:40 and going since then!
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| The view from the Red Keep, aka St Lawrence Fortress |
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| View from the restaurant |
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| Proud Dad! |
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| No, you can't have that for dessert! |
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| Cersei walked down the Jesuit Steps on her walk of shame |
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| Is that wall for real??? |
Ce fût toute une surprise de vous rencontrer à nouveau et un réel plaisir.
ReplyDeleteContinuez votre beau voyage et nous suivrons vos belles aventures sur votre blogue.
Natalie et Ken XXX
https://nataliebissonnette.wordpress.com/voyages/