One More Day....

After we booked our trip one extra day was added so that more time could be spent in Dubrovnik.  There was an added charge for this of $200 which, of course, covers the cost of the hotel, meals, guide, and tours.  I have found out now that if you paid in full in advance of the deadline you had this fee waived.  After all, you have paid in full.  I had not done that because I have too many irons in the fire at any given moment. And so here is our added day.  Let's  make the most of it - and we did!

Everyone except Jim boarded the 8:30 bus so that we were in the old city before the museums and shops opened.  Then we dispersed!   Everyone went to see or do what they felt they had missed.  Elva and I hooked up with the other two ladies traveling alone.  Elva and I are considered 'solo' even though we booked together.  And by the way, separate rooms is working out nicely.  Enough time together and enough alone.

First Karen, Vicki, and Elva went into the Franciscan museum that I had already visited so I went into the old monastery church.  Because today Confessions were being held I did not take pictures so you gave enjoy some views and more info here. Franciscan Monastery and Apothecary Museum

From the online guide book :::
"Left of the entrance to the Franciscan church there is an ancient stone protruding from the wall with a face carved onto its surface. It is the end of the rainfall drainage system of the monastery. However the story about this face-carved stone in Dubrovnik is that it grants wishes! The face waits and listens: Whoever can climb this stone, take off and put back ones shirt while balancing on the stone, will have his wish granted!
Some say it is true, the others say it is only an urban myth. Who can say who is right? It is worth a try!" I didn't try because I think removing my shirt, even at nine a.m. might cause me trouble.

Elva and Vicki went into the second oldest Synagogue.  Elva took some pictures for her daughter-in-law.  They said the museum was quite nice and the gentleman in it explained the Hand of Fatima, mother of Mohammad, pendant that Vicki has.

We all wandered over to the open market where I talked with the young man we met on the bus.  He had been carrying a basket of eggs.  When I asked him about it he showed me red and gold Easter Eggs that he had hand blown and decorated.  Now, at the market, he explained the process of painting the design in wax so that the deep red would have a white pattern that he could then add the black and gold to.  He had added a gold cord for hanging.  

Peppo described the lavender growing process and how his products from that were all hand created.  He definitely made it clear that all the other sellers had manufactured products.  This would have included the lady who sat next to Just on the bus.  Do you remember that Judy practiced her burgeoning chatting skills on her.  Several people had each item including home grown greens and carrots.  I did not buy anything but talked with a few of the artisans. Elva and I went to the main square and since there was time I ducked into the Cathedral which was, as are they all, quite beautiful and quite empty unlike when we were here a few days ago.

By now Jim had joined us.  We walked all together through the gate, past the boats and Museum of Modern Art and up a steep hill to the waiting line for the Cable Car up Mt. Srd pronounced 'serge'.  we did not have to wait long and we boarded for a quick 4 minute ascent.  With the clear weather we did have a wide view of the Old City, the many islands, and many small boats, mostly ferries to Lokum.

We passed the fire station which sadly does not have a Dalmation to ride on its trucks. Once I had been told that the dogs did not come from here but today I learned that, whether or not they do, they are so named because the white represents the ocean and the black spots signifies the 1244 islands off the more than 1,100 mile long coast.  Only 48 of the islands are inhabited although many can be visited and may have trails or monuments.

When we arrived at the top we realized that two different Viking Ocean cruises were in town.  The Jupiter which we were supposed to have gone to the Med on and the Star which I have booked for next February.  Their tours were with us on the way to the museum.  Our tour was very private though.  And very personal. Zdenko, veteran of the Homeland War which was between 1991 to 1995, took us through the very cold stone fort.  The Imperial Fort was a cold stone outcropping in a sort of tunnel shape.  There were some weapons on display, photos, and maps.  Maps are particularly useful in explaining who was who in this confusing and complicated war.  If you were like me you did not pay great attention to it at the time we would see stories on our news at home.  But the idea that a nation was not only fighting to separate itself from the rest of itself but laid siege on its own people is very hard to realize.

Because Zdenko had just turned 18 he was drafted into the national army.  He eventually escaped from it after more than one attempt and returned to this hill overlooking the old city to help to rescue his friends and relatives in his hometown.  Siege of Dubrovnik

OAT had hired three very nice, elegant Mercedes Benz cars to drive us down the winding, twisting, rough but scenic mountain and the timing was perfect.  Just as the comfortable vehicle turned onto the main road our bus arrived at the overlook.  We took a couple of pictures and then were whisked off to the Konavale region for a wine tasting and lunch.

Our group will listen intently to anything that leads to a wine and olive oil tasting!

The restaurant set in the old mill is also a museum.

The owner and our host was glad to explain all the workings of both processes we were experiencing and also to tell us about the 300 year old farm.

Lana, David, and Rich were enjoying the anticipation.

David smiles while Jim, Connie, and Karen are in deep conversation about our experiences.

Tom seems to be explaining something toTina and his wife Judy.

Rita and Vicki are surely commenting on and admiring the main course of lamb, veal, and roasted vegetables.

Elva enjoys everything with great graciousness - including posing for my camera!  Rick is just ready to eat.

Love the lively music during lunch.  Of course I always have to try to identify the songs, in this case, the first was Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White. We sang along to some easily learned Croatian tune  Below is a snippet of the fun we were having.  Unfortunately, or perhaps luckily, only s few seconds of video will load on this site.  But Lana is a perfect example for us all joining into Azah!

Below is what they call the Bell.  It is a very large and very heavy iron dome which is used in the fireplace outdoors, in this case next to the pool  Beneath it the meal is roasted.  First you get a good fire going and then scoop the ashes onto the bell.  very couple of minutes you raise the ring to dump them off to prevent burning.  After 45 minutes you remove it, turn the meat over once and begin the process again for 45 minutes.  Our meal was cooked this way and was the most delicious and tender meats and perfectly roasted browned potatoes and vegetables.

We hated to leave but our delightful three and half hour tour and lunch had ended.  OAT had added this Agroturizm treat to make our stay in Dubrovnik more memorable and it did.  Kameni Mlin photo gallery and information for your visit!

On the way back the Davids, Lana, and Connie who are friends traveling together changed buses to go to the town of Civtat.  The bus ticket was included in our three day pass.  Later they told us it was a very nice, very quaint seaside town and had a lovely little art gallery.

Some of us went into the Old City one more time but I think no one needed dinner!  Others walked on the promenade.  Elva and I sought out the hot tub but in the spa found only this very large and very cold pool.  Another was outside. It did have an interesting bubbling area which if you sat onone of the underwater lounges you activated.  That was different but we just shivered our way back to our rooms after watching the two Viking ships sail out of the harbor.

Elva and I retreated to the patio to watch the sunset after a very good day.  This group was from Wales and Manchester.  I didn't know that when I first spoke with them but when I discovered it I inserted myself into their conversation as I have a bad reputation for doing.  We laughed, talked, exchanged ideas and had a wonderful conversation until the sun really sank in the West.