Dubrovnik - Day 26 — Patti Part Two

Our last day in Dubrovnik - we better make the most of it. I got up early and decided to get my morning cappuccino and croissant and stroll through the Old Town and enjoy it before the cruise ships and mass of people arrived. Early in the morning it’s empty - just me and the cats. And there are lots of cats! But you only see them early or late when the crowds are gone. The first night we arrived and were walking through Old Town late there were like 10 cats sitting in front of one of the churches - a little creepy! So there are either lots of mice in Dubrovnik OR none at all.

Saw these 3 immediately when I got into town - and more that ran away!

I was on a bit of a mission - to find the entrance to Buza I and Buza II. If you go back to my post about the walk on top the historic Old Town Wall I posted pictures of the two bars that are actually on the outside of the wall hanging over the sea. I had done some research about how to find them and I’m happy to report I was successful! They weren’t open yet of course but the plan was to come back in the afternoon and experience having a drink there. I don’t think I would have found them without a few clues. Head past the cathedral and toward the outer wall. Look for the sign that says “Cold Drinks With The Most Beautiful View” and then the tricky part. Neither bar has a sign outside so you just have to look inside every door you pass.

Top left is the entrance to Buza I. Inside the wall it says No Topless No Nudist. Buza II is inside the gate middle right picture. We’re definitely coming back!

Walking through the Old Town when it’s so quiet and peaceful you can really enjoy all the nooks and crannies, the statues and alleys, the tiny gardens and even the flapping laundry. Being inside the beautiful walls built in the 1300’s when it’s just you (and the cats!) is a special feeling.

Time to pick up a coffee and croissant for Julie and head back up the stairs to our apartment. Kayaking on the Adriatic is on our agenda!

Just one of the 3 sets of stairs to climb to get to our great place.

From our balcony overlooking the sea we had seen groups of kayakers multiple times of day setting out on what looked like an awesome way to get a different perspective on Dubrovnik. So weather permitting we were doing it - and the weather was perfect!

We were with a guide and a group of about 14 people for a 3 hour adventure. I have only been in a kayak a few times but Julie was a great teacher and soon we were a good team. Since I was in the front I still think there were times I was doing all the work, but she disagrees. We got to make two stops, one in a beautiful huge cave with a beach where you could get out and swim and snorkel. Then we made another stop on the back side of the large island directly across from Dubrovnik where there was a huge rock you could climb to the top of and jump off. The rock was 35 to 40 feet high so basically 3 and a half to 4 stories above the sea, too high for me! But not for Julie! She worked up her courage and made the tough climb to the top and jumped! Yeah! I’m not super comfortable in large bodies of water so just being in the kayak was brave enough for me.

We had a blast and then headed to the Buza Bars to celebrate. We didn’t bring much cash with us since we were going to be on the water so only had enough for one drink each, so picked Buza II since it’s the bar where people jump off the rocks. The waiter took pity on us and gave us free peanuts. Julie was trying to figure out who she could Venmo money to in the bar so we could have another drink - she’s creative!

Not great pictures but it’s a little place. Bottom right is looking through the netting onto the rocks where people are swimming and jumping in.

I haven’t posted much about the food we ate in Dubrovnik or even Croatia, and that’s not because it wasn’t good. One reason is that we didn’t eat much - at least not as much as we were eating in Italy. Julie was happy, Patti was sad. Actually we were really on the go so it was eat or do things and we picked do things. I don’t regret that decision. The food we did eat was very good and really healthy. Every night was pretty much the same just at a different restaurant. Lots of fresh fish available - yeah!

Examples of our usual meal - pick your fish that was caught that day. Then they roast or grill it and serve it with amazing roasted or grilled vegetables. Lots of delicious sea bass - the best I’ve ever had!

They serve it to you intact but after you ooh and aah over it they filet it for you - thank God! They ask you if you want to eat the head - no thanks.

The fileting process. Loved this sweet waitress. Her family moved to Dubrovnik from Bosnia after the war and made a better life for themselves.

We loved Dubrovnik and hopefully from what I’ve shared you can easily see why. Back to Rome tomorrow and then home. It’s gone too fast!