Europe 2018 Day 9 - Dubrovnik

We awoke to Dubrovnik, Croatia, as the Norwegian Star glided silently into port in the gloom of dawn. The "Jewel of the Adriatic" shimmered in all her medieval glory, at least the heavily walled Old Town, which serves as the backdrop for King's Landing in Game of Thrones.

We were off the ship early to meet our local guide Mattea, for a cable car trip up to the top of Srd Hill, followed by a stroll of the Old Town. During the siege in the civil war for independence in the 90's, a handful of brave Croats held Dubrovnik from the Yugoslav Army (Serbian and Montenegrin) by scaling this hill under cover of darkness with rusty old rifles to secure the strategic vantage. Still, the city was pummeled by artillery and most roof tiles have since been replaced, after a brutal siege and months without power.

Unbeknownst to us, the tour buses aren't allowed to stop in front of the cable car entrance....meaning Jane had to crutch a number of flights of stairs from where the bus eventually parked for the "easy" ride up the hill.

The view WAS worth it though. Sure, it was pretty crowded up there, with a new crop of gawkers arriving periodically with each new cable car. It was too early to have lunch or even drinks, as the restaurant with the stunning patio overlooking the sea was not even open yet for the day.

Back in the Old Town, we found a quiet eatery for lunch, before wandering the cobblestones until our time was up. Unfortunately, the cruise stop here was rather short, and we were left wishing we had far more time in this beautiful place. Alas......we shall have to return.

Back aboard the ship, we watched rowers race in the harbour before we cast off from the port. Jane was "done" after a morning of frenzied crutching, trying to keep up on cobblestones and maximize our very limited time in town. We watched Dubrovnik dwindle behind us as we sped headlong into what was suddenly our final night of the cruise.

Folks wander atop of the Old Town walls

Old Town alley

"Dubrovnik Salad" - when in Rome....

Great lunch in a quiet alley

Dubrovnik market

 Cersei's Walk of Shame from Game of Thrones

Up where the cable car goes....

Dubrovnik street scenes

Stradun - the main drag

The Old Town comes into view as we ascend

Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Sea

Walls of a GOOD variety!

Great view from Srd Hill

The cable car!

Old World charm in the Old Town

Back to the drawbridge!

Buses abound!

Cool boats along the waterfront

Rowing regatta in Dubrovnik harbour!

Leaving the port area of Gruz

New bridge saves a long drive around!