Dubrovnik

Finally I have looked through all my photos from my October holiday. I had two weeks off in October, and the first week I went to Dubrovnik with Regina. We had an amazing holiday, and enjoyed some warm weather. The first two days we even went swimming!! Unfortunately no pictures of that though. The first day we went to the beach and swam from there. The second day we went on a kayak tour and swam from a little cove. We also were able to go snorkeling there, which was an interesting experience for me. I even think I saw some fish! (I had to take off my glasses to wear the snorkel mask ...)

Here are some photos from our week in Dubrovnik:

The way up to our hostel

This is what many of the streets looked like in the old town, and in many places there were stairs like this. There are no cars in the old town, just occasional delivery vehicles. Many things get brought in with these little motorized carts that are driven by standing on the front and using two levers - one to steer and one to start and stop. 

Where we had breakfast most days. They had a set breakfast that we ate on the patio: croissants, fruit, honey, nutella, jam ... it was delicious!

View of the old town from above

Our first day we took the cable car up to the hill overlooking Dubrovnik. From up here we had an amazing view down over the old town. You can see the city walls that go all around it. And the sunshine - in the afternoon we bought sandwiches and went to a nearby beach to go swimming.

View of the main street from the old city walls

Regina and I walked around the old city walls our second morning. The walls go all around the old town, and are still complete. We walked the whole way around in about an hour and a half. In some places the buildings are built right up to the walls, and in other places you walk around looking right into gardens and windows.

Regina and I on the city walls, overlooking the newer parts of Dubrovnik

Me, with the island of Lokrum in the background

Me again ... that is the cathedral behind me

Another view from the walls, of the Franciscan church

Regina in her natural environment

The next day the weather turned a bit stormy. While this did drive us inside for most of the day, it also was fun to go and watch the waves in the old harbour. 

View from Lokrum of the island

The day after the weather improved and we were able to take the ferry over to Lokrum. The island is a nature reserve, and you can only go and visit for the day. According to local legend, it is haunted and if you stay overnight you will be found dead in the morning. Because of this (maybe) it is illegal to stay overnight. The last ferry is at 5 and we made very sure not to miss it! 

Contemplating the views and the sky

We hiked around the island, which took us a few hours. We went up to the French fort from when Napoleon took Dubrovnik. 

A little rain never stopped me!

Back near the centre, and where the Benedictine Monastery was, it is more set up for summer tourists: beach chairs, playground, and my favourite - an exercise playground! 

Regina and I were surprised to see the peacocks flying from a tree to the roof of the monastery

Me and a new friend :)

The Rector's Palace

Now this palace is a museum, but earlier it was the residence of the Rector during the Republic of Ragusa. The rector then was elected for one month, during which he was not allowed to leave the Palace. All government business was conducted here. 

The main street, the Stradun, at night

Watching the clouds from a little bar built into the city walls, overlooking and hanging out over the water. It was the perfect location to watch the sunset from.

And one last picture :) There were cats everywhere in Dubrovnik! We made a few friends during our time. This one seems to be enjoying the sunshine, after having some rainy weather for a few days.