Beyond the Wall

Dubrovnik, Day 3

WOW moment No. 1 for today – I woke up to read an email from Mads, reminding me that “Game of Thrones – Kings Landing” is actually Dubrovnik. I watched an episode and recognised many of the places we walked around yesterday, and every day we’ve been here. Fantastic!

 While we breakfasted at Lady Pi Pi’s we were fascinated watching the fabulous view slowly disappear. It looked as if waves of smoke were rolling across the water, across the wall. It was steam coming off the water as a current of cold water hit the warm coast. Amazing.  

Dubrovnik Old Town was swarming with tourists, so we thought it best to get away. We took a 15 minute ferry ride to Lokrum Island.

But, before we left we visited The Cathedral, dedicated to St Blaise.  It is an elegant cathedral, decorated in the Baroque style – white walls and ceiling, with cherubs highlighted in gold leaf. Nice enough, nothing to get thrilled about, until we got to the Treasury. What a treasury it is! A whole wall, floor to ceiling, of relics, each encased in a gold reliquary. Wood from the True Cross, as well as all sorts of body parts. In one glass sided boxed was a withered, emaciated arm, in another the shin bone. But, best of all, was the hat shaped reliquary for St Blaise’s head, a golden arm for his arm, a golden leg for his leg, and a nice platter depicting the flora and fauna of Dubrovnik. WOW moment No.2

Lokrum Island once had a fort on the highest peak, as well as a Franciscan Monastery, both now disused. There is a Botancial Garden, and many paths cris crossing the island to beaches and interesting spots. The island is well sign posted, and the “interesting spots” seemed close together, and we headed off to the old fort. It promised a 360^o view of Dubrovnik and around the island. Usually when you hike up a great hill, stumbling over rocks and tree branches to get to somewhere special, risking life and limb, barely fighting off dehydration, sunstroke and exhaustion, you think when you finally get to the destination, “it was worth it”. It wasn’t. The “fantastic” view is obscured mostly by trees. Wow moment No. 3 did not eventuate.

However, we did enjoy the day away from the tourists, and being at one with nature.

After a quick peptide recovery session we were ready for dinner at the highly recommended Moby Dick's. We met Moby who runs the restaurant and he quickly relaxed me with a beautiful grappa and Mary with a lovely sherry shot. We sat next to 3 women who were very loudly describing their favourite restaurants around the world . They were heading to Split next but were shocked by the prospects of the 6 hr bus ride - all they wanted was a nice quiet pool to lounge beside as they prepared for their next grand dinner wherever that may be. The fish platter was better than expected and Mary enjoyed the sweetest lobster she had tasted. Afterwards we walked around the town and bought tickets to listen to the TRIO DOMINE: lute, violin and cello play Pachelbel's "Canon", Vivaldi's "Spring" & "Largo from Winter", Bach's "Air" and many more - but a perfect way to end another day in paradise. For tomorrow we commence a 30 hour transportation from here back to Split to catch the ferry to Ancona where we will board a train to Padua.