Sunset over Dubrovnik
Climbing up steep stone steps to Kate’s Guesthouse, located high up on the hills of Gruz/Nuncijata overlooking the port of Dubrovnik is tough in 29 degree heat, but is even harder when you’re still slightly drunk from the night before and carrying 13kg of stuff on your back. I was really struggling and pathetically had to sit down and pause after every 10 steps. Carter was not impressed.
Last night we went out with the cruise gang as a last hurrah. The evening kicked off at Skybar (not quite glamorous like it sounds) followed by the much anticipated Sail-Croatia live concert at Lazareti, an old fortress used in the past to quarantine new arrivals to Dubrovnik. The event however was a disappointment; the venue was very cool but the place was empty and band average, playing a few cover songs before the regular music was put back on. When that novelty wore off, we all headed to a club close by, and despite my intentions to leave early, got talked into going and stayed out too late. Messy messy…Oops…but a Sail-Croatia cruise with a bunch of 21 year old Aussies would not be complete without at least one night of drinking too much 🙂
Early wake up to finish packing, check-off boat, settle what we owe with the crew, and bid farewell. “Now it’s time to really say ‘sayonara'”, I say to our waiter on the boat who’s been calling me “Sayonara” all week. I think his name is Miscka but in my mind I call him Lumiere, ever since one of the girls mentioned he looks like the candlestick from Beauty and the Beast. He’s a totally sweet but slightly grouchy man, in his fifties/sixties, from a village with long history of raising their people to work on the sea and build/fix boats. He knows I prefer coke zero, but never has any cold ones when I ask for one, so one day sneaks me one for free on his tab. Score!
Eventually, we make it to the guesthouse and are greeted by an older Croatian couple with no knowledge of English. The lady even has to call the neighbour to explain to us over the phone, that it would be 1 hour before our rooms will be ready. Nice and welcoming people, we are immediately given cookies and juice while we wait. The man laughs at my pathetic effort up the steps and when he sees my tired state, resting my head on the table, he brings out something for us. Cherry (visnja) liquor, homemade. Just what I need, more alcohol! But in politeness and to try it, I have a tiny bit. Quite good and very sweet.
Day spent walking the old walls of Dubrovnik’s old town. Magnificent views over the sea. This town is packed full of tourists, no wonder when two massive cruise boats are docked in the port!
In the evening, I sit on the deck of the guesthouse and watch the sun go down. Slowly the lights of the houses flicker on and the setting changes to that of a night scene.
