Up and Down and Around

Mark tells me that we must always walk as much down as we do up.  I don't believe him.  It's at least twice as much up. Especially in Dubrovnik.

We'd booked accommodation with warm, friendly and wonderful people at Barum Apartments. It was reasonably priced because it was out of the old city, extremely well compensated for by the large and comfortable room and free rides in and out of town at our leisure, offered by the hosts.Just a five minute walk down (note: DOWN) to the plentiful local restaurants, where you come away weighing twice as much as you started. And have to walk twice as far uphill to bed. On a full stomach.  "Serves you right", I hear you say? (Especially you, Jute) Yes, we ate less after that. 

We walked the walls of the old city, along with most of the rest of the world it seemed. I'm getting used to that, and a bit less tetchy about it.  After all, like me, they paid to come and have a good time.  I just wish they'd all come and do it after I'd gone, that's all. Considering the construction and defence of these cities, back so many hundreds of years, is mind-boggling to us, so used to modern machines to do the heavy work, particularly in battle, where mass destruction of people and property can be wrought with the touch of a button.

Sheer drops, thick, thick castle walls and ancient houses still lived in and utilised today as they always have been, modern conveniences incorporated into the old system.  Dubrovnik still bears the scars of the most recent hostilities, and defence of the city during the Bosnian war, still managing, like so many times before, to survive siege of the city by enemy forces. A very touching tribute to soldiers and civilians killed in this dispute has been housed in one of the most beautiful buildings. 

Customs are continued to entertain the tourists and we witnessed the evening pomp and ceremony of setting the guards at the town gates. Even these cute events are a reminder of the necessities of living in a walled city.  Shut the door behind you when you come in.

The rugged coastline allows for no beaches, but the rocks beneath the castle wall sprout bars, chairs and tables perched precariously above the water, providing a watering hole base for the sunbathers in bikinis and budgie smugglers draped over the rocks, sunning themselves, seal like.

Only one night here, and we wish we'd allowed more.  Still, just enough for a taste, and a haircut of the extremely short variety. The pebble beaches north of the city looked mighty enticing on our bus-ride out.