We had booked a 10.15am walking tour of the old city through Viator so our first task was to find the meeting place, without a map. We now know that local reps come on board at every port to give out maps and info. There were lots of tourists in town. With the help of a kind local we found the meeting place near the Pile Gate and were amazed to see bus after bus pull up and more and more people arrive. Apparently the other cruise ships were docked at the port which is about 20 minutes away by bus (5 minutes by tender is much better than 20 by bus)
Our tour group was a small group of only 14 and the tour guide, who was an ex- school teacher who preferred guiding to teaching, was excellent. It was interesting to see evidence of the siege of Dubrovnik in the early 1990s. The family of our guide had taken refuge in the old town before being evacuated to an island off the coast. We saw several churches, all very ornate and the different styles of architecture from different periods. And of course lots of steep narrow streets. She took us around some back streets to avoid the crowds in the main streets.
Anne and Bob were not so lucky with a larger group and being just one of several groups trying to board the cable car at the same time. Packed in like sardines they said.
The church within the old town walls shows shrapnel marks from the 1990s war
Anne and Bob were not so lucky with a larger group and being just one of several groups trying to board the cable car at the same time. Packed in like sardines they said.
The day was warming up and the reflection from the limestone paving increased the temperature. Greg decided to return to the ship but I continued exploring. Luckily the tour guide had told me the best way to get to the cable car was to walk around the outside of the old town. It was uphill but no steps. By the time I got there the morning rush was over and I only had to wait a few minutes to board. At the top the views were spectacular and you could see the old town laid out below.
I took the cable car down and then the steep stairs back to the Main Street. I don't mind going down but coming up would have been a struggle. It was about 1pm and really hot so I decided to just walk half the city wall - from Pile Gate to the Harbour. Beautiful views over the old town and the water surrounding it. There were people out there in kayaks - looked fun but it would have been very hot. By the time I got back to the tender station I was exhausted. I just had time to grab a cool drink and a cold wet towel (which Seabourn provide whenever we have to tender to shore) before the tender left.
Our social calendar for the evening was full. First there was a Block Party. At 6pm guests were encouraged to step outside their suites and meet their neighbours. Staff were there to join in and drinks and canapés were provided. Less than half the people in our area, level 5 joined in. But it was nice to meet those that did - mainly Aussies and Poms in this area. Anne and I then raced off to hear a guest speaker talking about the next few places we would visit. Or that's what we thought the topic was. He had other ideas and talked randomly about places, art, literature vaguely connected to Greece. It was a struggle to stay awake.
The day before, Greg and I received an invitation to join Jacqueline, the Assistant Cruise Director for dinner in the Restaurant. There were 7 others at the table, all Americans, including Mike and Louise who had met the first night. It was a very pleasant evening and interesting to hear the background of Jacqueline who until recently was a struggling actress living in NY.
The meals in the Restaurant are beautiful and small portions so even I can manage three courses. And the wine flows! Too tired to go to the show in the evening (doesn't start till 9.45pm).