Friday, May 22, 2009

Islands, Countries, and Continents


The WALL from off the coast of Croatia:

Standing on top of Wall looking across the channel:

On top of the wall:


Boat ride up and down the coast of Dubrovnik:

After a great night of sleep and the feeling of being 100% adjusted to the new time warp we are in, we found ourselves in a new country today. The city of Dubrovnik sits on the east side of the Adriatic sea. The geography would remind you of northern California where the sea crashes into the rocky coast. Again it was a very warm day.

We took our time getting out but eventually found ourselves on a shuttle bus to the old town of Dubruvnik which is encapsulated by rock walls as high as 80' tall. We learned the Croations built this wall around the entire city to protect the town from would be invasions from the French, the Austrians, and even from our friends the Venetians. I didn't know it until I got to Dubrovnik but Venice actually ruled the world between the 12th and the 14th century. Venice continued to control all sea trade well into the 17th century. Apparantly Dubrovnik was a very strategic port as it represented a link between the eastern and western world. Just east of Dubrovnik, Croatia is Bosnia and then Romania which borders the Black Sea.

The most incredible site to be seen in Dubrovnik is the wall. It is a rock structure which took the people 600 years to build. It surrounds and protects the entire old town section. One of the wierdest things you notice walking into the old town Dubrovnik is the marble streets and walkways. Today the old town is for pedestrians only and no cars are allowed in.

We made our way to an inexpensive panoramic boat ride outside the walled city and then walked the wall itself. One of Peg's cruise clients told her once, "If you ever get to Dubrovnik, you have to walk the wall". Now I know what he meant by that. When you are on top of the wall, you see all the old buildings but the roofs appear to be new. I was told that back in 1992, Dubrovnik was bombed with over 200 airial bombs dropped on it from above and 80 people were killed. The wall path itself is 1.2 miles long.

Peg and I had dinner with a couple the other night that said they have been to all of the Caribbean islands.... and that they don't want to cruise to islands anymore. Now they only want to cruise to countries or continents. After visiting for one day inside..... and on top of... the walls of Dubrovnik, I can appreciate their desire.





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