Saturday, 17 May 

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Grand Hotel Park 

Weather - Sunny - 22c Max

We started an excellent day with a breakfast for kings. The choice was huge so it’s a good thing we are here to experience three breakfasts at the hotel before moving on. The view from the restaurant was over the hotel’s pool out to the Adriatic Sea.

It was a superb day to see the Old Town of Dubrovnik with a sunny day and a good temperature. We were on the bus at 9.40 arriving at the Old Town at the prearranged time of 10.00am. There are now strict protocols for the arrival of buses to control their movements. Heavy fines can be incurred if the times are not adhered. Our local guide was waiting for us and we were soon on our way wearing our “whispers” so we could hear her clearly.

As soon as we crossed the small street we had a clear view of the outside of the city walls and the Old Port.

Once inside the Plõce Gate we were surrounded by high, light-coloured limestone walls on both sides of the passageway. The limestone is a lovely feature of the Old Town. It was quite crowded as the cruise ship, the Norwegian Breakaway, had disgorged its 4000 passengers for the day.

Our guide took us to the significant sites starting with the Stradun, the city’s main promenade which is a 300m marble-paved walkway that connects the city’s two main gates. 

St Blaise is the patron saint of Dubrovnik and there are many tributes to him throughout the city. The Church of St Blaise, is dedicated to the saint and is one of the city’s major sites. The saint is accredited with saving citizens of Dubrovnik in the 10th century from the Venetians. He carries the Dubrovnik city in his left hand.

The Bell Tower is directly opposite the church. It stands 35m high and towers over the main promenade. 

By late morning it was getting warm so it was good to go indoors and visit the Rector’s Palace which dates back to the 13th century. I loved the railings leading up to the main areas of the palace. Inside the palace were a range of paintings, furniture, ceramics, musical instruments and an ornately painted litter.  

There were local markets in a central square and it was popular with the tourists. 

We passed many cool shaded alleyways and many people sitting in the sun at the many cafes lining the main promenade. 

Prior to lunch we visited the Franciscan Monastry. It had a cloister area which looked great in the sun.

The monastry was hit often during the 90’s war with a mortar going through one side of the monastry wall to the other.

Lunch was not a great and it was my choice. I spotted the Proto Restaurant in a quiet alleyway with white tablecloths and that should have been the clue. (I love eating in restaurants with white tablecloths.) Firstly we didn’t review the menu (It was a fish restaurant and Brian is wary of eating fish) and secondly we didn’t review the prices. 

I wanted a table outside in the alley but all were taken so the waiter took us to the first floor outdoor terrace. It looked ideal. We requested sparkling mineral water and whilst comfortably seated, taking in the ambience and drinking the water the menu was handed to us. We were silent. The prices were twice to three times the price of what we had become accustomed and being a fish restaurant there was very little other choice. We gleaned the menu trying to find something reasonable. At this stage we were at the point of no return.

Julia, Brian and Henk chose the hamburger (yes, at a fish restaurant!) and I chose the fish soup. The hamburger cost an equivalent of $60 (Aus $) and all three said it was no different to any other burger they had tried. My fish soup was tasty. We didn’t even dare look at the drinks menu. 

Our tour guide had told us that there was only one public toilet in the Old Town so we made sure we used the restaurant’s toilet. On my way back to our table I noticed the Michilen sign. Yes, another clue! So I reported back to the table, “Does the word Michelin mean anything?” Brian lost it! He coudn’t stop laughing. 

So, we did see the funny side of it. Now Henk, Brian and Julia have decided not to allow me to choose any further eating places. We emerged from the restaurant and had to have a photo of us standing beside the menu we should have perused prior to making the decision to enter. We’ve learned our lesson!

We promptly had a much cheaper icecream from a popular shop on the main promenade. There was some crazy names and colours. 

Prior to returning to the hotel we walked around the outside of the walled town along the sea wall. The water is so clear with beautiful aqua and green colours.

We arrived back at our hotel at about three o’clock. Henk and Brian promptly went to the laundromat about a five minute walk away in the little cafe/shopping precinct near the hotel. I wrote some of the blog and had a “LLD - little lie down”. Henk returned and also had a rest.. We were then refreshed to meet up with the group at 6.30pm to go back into the Old Town for a an hour’s sunset cruise to view the Old Town and newer town from the sea. The water became quite choppy in the small boat but we all survived and we were back at our hotel at 8.45.

At 9.00am we were seated at a table at a local cafe chosen by Henk, Brian and Julia. We were hungry. We were back at the hotel at 10.30pm. It was a long, varied and excellent day and we’ll dine out on the fish restaurant story for quite some time. Tomorrow is a free day in Dubrovnik.