Dubrovnik

We had been to Dubrovnik before, over ten years ago. That time we arrived by ferry from Italy, after a somewhat rocky overnight passage in " steerage" with a door that banged ominously every time the boat rolled in the waves. This time, by car, was much easier. Along the way we had to stop a few places, notably LIDL, a German discount grocery chain that we were introduced to years ago by our Irish relatives. We have liked it ever since, and try to stop when we are in Europe. 

We really didn't need anything, but it was fun to look at what was on offer, and to watch other shoppers with piled high carts. 

These peppers are a mild version of other similar kinds.

Mild or hot? I never assume, when it comes to peppers, and I guess I'll never know.

Not too enticing

These jelly filled doughnuts are in every bakery, but I have not tasted one. However, if it is like other Croatian pastries, I would not have high hopes. It makes me think of my first trip toYugoslavia, over45 years ago, when we stopped in a small village and my sister in law choose several tasty looking pastries to try. They were virtually all inedible to our western  palates. Later on I developed a theory about sweets, which goes something like, the richer a culture, the more lavish the sweets are, and conversely, if a culture does not have excess wealth, butter and sugar have to be used sparingly, and the flavors are not as rich. 

Wel, finally I did try one of these doughnuts, for reasearch purposes, I told Jim. My suspicions were correct. They were filled with either marmalade or Nutella !( very popular here! ). Just ok. But I did it for you, dear readers.

This was a first view of the walled city of Dubrovnik. 

Another nice beach with clear water... A chance to kayak, again.

A lovely shrine at the entrance of the city. 

Don't let the man in gold get ahold of your wrist! 

This is the elaborate ceiling of an old pharmacy. 

In the central piazza. Which, by the way, was clogged with tourists. I told Jim this was my idea of hell. The last time we were here it was very early in the morning and it was virtually a ghost town, which was the best way to see it. 

There was a little marketplace in the center of town, and everyone was selling the exact same thing- a combo bag which included dried figs, candied orange and lemon peel and something else. 

We did buy some yellow roses though. This woman was a little shy about having her picture taken, but I liked knowing who grew these beautiful roses. 

We found a quite alley for a lunch of pizza, and got talking with the couple next to us who were also Americans. Turned out that they were from Durango, Colorado and he had taken Italian the year before from my former brother in law! 

Dubrovnik was full of little tourist shops but this one made me laugh, as my family are big Game of Thrones fans. In fact it is filmed partly in Croatia and Montenegro. I wonder if this has brought a greater influx of tourists? 

We were actually happy to leave Dubrovnik, so hopped on a city bus back to our parking. We had a nice conversation on the packed bus with the man who got up to offer us a seat( they still do that here!). He was very knowledgeable about all things in the US. 

A last look at the city, and we were off.