The Cruise

World cruise on the Dawn Princess starting in Sydney on May 21, 2010 and sailing west around the world for 104 days.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Dawn Princess World Cruise 2010 - Saturday July 3, 2010

Day 43 Dubrovnik
Our Captain has at last spoken. He has confirmed that the problem with the ship has been resolved. At last we are passing other passenger ships and are no longer suffering the humiliation of having cargo ships passing us. To recompense all passengers for the disappointment of not being able to land at Safaga in Egypt and being forced to miss the Valley of the Kings they are going to recompense every passenger with $300. Today we spent a wonderful day with Valerie and Tom in Dubrovnik, doing our own thing. This town on the Adriatic is absolutely picturesque. We began by getting a taxi at the port and our taxi driver, Nicholi, drove us around to some high points to get the best pictures of his town. He also pointed out bullet holes in many of the buildings from the 1991 to 1995 war. He said that 1992 was the worst year for bombings and that there are still land mines in Croatia from the war. It is sad to think that this beautiful UNESCO town was shelled. However, most of the town has been repaired and there is not too much evidence of the war. Nicholi had relatives who live in Sydney and spoke excellent English. His cab was a new Mercedes and was spotlessly clean, as was the whole city. Nicholi pointed out points of interest and eventually dropped us at the old town where no cars can enter. The old town is surrounded by a medieval, marble wall. We spent a couple of hours walking around on top of the wall. This afforded us ample photo opportunities, as we looked down on the old town on one side and the sparkling Adriatic Sea on the other. We were sorry that the tour director had not told us to take our bathers, as the sea looked so inviting, especially after we completed our whole circuit of the wall. This did not stop Bill who eventually enjoyed the Adriatic in his underpants. We had a seafood lunch at a quaint little restaurant set up in one of the old town’s alleys. During the afternoon we all did our own thing, shopping, browsing and swimming. This is certainly a country we would all like to visit again. (Barbara) A few hints for going ashore from the ship. If it is summer time and you like swimming always take your bathers (togs, trunks, swimmers) because there will often be somewhere fantastic to use them. The Adriatic was deep, clear and clean with a top warm current and a cool layer just below. Have your digital camera and/or camera phone fully charged before you leave the ship and when the crowds are thick, don’t stop suddenly to avoid getting in front of other digital photographers – it is just not possible. Don’t carry all of your credit cards, money and identity documents ashore in crowded areas particularly. Take the minimum you need for any time ashore. A few passengers have lost/ had stolen their bags containing all these things. A nightmare scenario. Travel as light as possible. (Bill)

1 comment:

  1. Three cruise ships in town. It must have been very busy. Water looks great.

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