5/7/2019 Kotor to Dubrovnik.

We had an earlier start today as we headed to Dubrovnik from Kotor.
We left at 7.45 in order to beat the other buses coming form across the bay on the ferry. In this way we saved time at the border checkpoint.  It still took us about an hour to clear the border checks. (which is quite fast apparently)

As we drove along the coast road back along the bay we passed fish farms (circles  of mesh cage) out in the bay. 

We tracked the coast pretty well for the entire trip, descending  down into Dubrovnik and stopping at the lookout just outside of the city to look down on the amazing walled city and take photos before we had even arrived. 

Here we are staying at the Sol Hostel  It is a Hostel because the rooms are slightly too small to be allowed by hotel regulations, but our room seems fine to us. Lovely and modern. We were able to borrow a kettle and some cups form reception so that we could make ourselves a cup of tea (even better)

We left our gear in the common area, and headed into town, learning how to use the local bus service to get to the old city (we have been provided with a 24 hour bus ticket to get us to the end of the tour).  Ivan took us through the old city , through many narrow streets (very busy) to the entrance to the city walls and we walked up on to the walls from here and completed a full circumnavigation.  It was really interesting to look out over the old rooftops, see what has been done with the houses, see the narrow laneways and watch the couple trying to work up the nerve to jump from the rocks into the water far below on the coast side.  We also saw the hundred or so sea kayaks leaving and entering their pretty bay and going over to Lokrum Island.

narrow streets

St Blaise - holding a replica of Dubrovnik in one hand

the main fountain supplies lovely free water to everyone (constantly running and supplied from the nearby hills) 

this is how it is done.  His girlfriend never jumped. 

After a well deserved icecream (we were shown the best place by our leader - "Dolce Vita" we decided to go and visit the Rector's Palace.  The rector was basically the President and the Palace showed how they lived.  There was also a display of Roman coins here, which we had a look at.

with the ever-present cat. 

The "walk of shame" stairs from Game of Thrones

We walked back to the hotel to have a bit of a break.  We had planned to meet for the last time for a dinner together. 

Ivan took us back into town on the bus for another seafood meal.

None of us really wanted it to end so we took some time to walk around to the outside of the walls, where there is a small area where you can sit and watch the water.  As the music played in the background we enjoyed each other's company for one last time in this ancient city, and then finally strolled home again.

stained glass at night

city walls at night (Thanks Harry)