Dream vacation!

Ahhhh! A bit of nature...au natural.:) Excellent!

So.. as I am trying to graceful climb up the rocks to get out of the water, sucking in my stomach, ha, I must have stepped on a seaurchin because I got a spine in the bottom of my big toe! and DG also got a few spines in a more painful area than a big toe! Yikes.

On our way back to DBV, we stopped at one of my fav restos, Orsan, in Zaton, and DG ordered a really wonderful bottle of white wine. This place is the epitome of relaxation and calm beauty. The water is literally lapping just a few feet away. We ate here last year and I can say the food is top notch. Great way to end a perfect afternoon -- except for the seaurchin spines.

Back home to freshen up and then DJ and I went to watch the sunset at - you guessed it -- the Buza Bar, we have certainly put a dent in the wine stock, lol. It was spectacular.

We then met fellow Fodorite, Andrew for dinner at Rosarij. It was great to meet him, he's from my neck of the woods, sort of, he's in Oregon, me, Wash. His trip had been wonderful so far and it sounds like he's taken some really great photos. Maybe our paths will cross again some day -- DJ and I shared a scrumptious grilled fish and black risotto, and a lovely bottle of French champagne - compliments of the owner!

Hey, no stepping on SeaUrchins! We bite back! Sometimes.

So glad to hear about your trip, it is making me want to go there myself. I have to see those Buza Bar sunsets while sipping wine, sounds wonderful.

More, please.

Great report Barb, sounds like a holiday made in heaven.

Great to read you met up with Julia, I met Julia (I am sure it is the same one!!) in Paris this year. She is really lovely and I too would love to catch up again with her.

Keep going with the report and try and put some more details about DG into it!!!! (no not those details)

Schnauzer

Hi Barb! I have to admit that I have been curious about your Croatian guy and wondering if you two were still together. I think it's all so incredibly romantic and wonderful! I'm waiting for the part when you tell us that you decide to move to Dubrovnik.... ;)

Looking forward to the rest!
Tracy

Hi schnauzer, yes I am the Julia you met in Paris in May!

Next time you come halfway round the globe to Europe please let me know and I'll try to get to meet you somewhere! It would be good to see you again too.

Tracy, how's it all going? My twin boys are almost 17 years old now, can't believe just how fast it all seems to have gone - and I 'abandoned' them at home for 6 nights for this trip! Lots of trust involved, and they didn't let me down, (despite being quite obnoxious a lot of the time when I'm around!). They don't want to travel with me any more unless it's to go snowboarding, surfing or doing something really active - I'm free at last!

Don't get me started on details about DG, I'll never stop and you will be sorry you asked. He's younger than me by a few years, but it all evens out because I am young for my age. He's tall, dark and handsome and I am short and blond, so, we make quite the pair. We are both grandparents!! and we both have a grandson named Luka, well mine actually is Lucas, but I call him Luka and they are both 4. We also each have grandsons who are going to turn 2 in Jan/Feb. So even if there is snow on the roof, there is still a fire in the fireplace, or something like that?! In other words passion is not just for the youth. He speaks some English, I speak a little Croatian, but we are both so comfortable just being with each other, that it just works. He understands English better than he speaks it, so I just talk away and hope he is getting most of it, ha.

He lives about 30 min. south of Dubrovnik, so that is why I stay in town. He owns a business in DBV and works long, hard hours, leaving very early in the morning, so I do not want to be stuck there without a car and having to take the bus into town every day. It works out great as he is with me every night :)

I am an artist and have been lucky to make some connections there and particularly with a gallery owner who likes my work, so there is always the possibility of being able to market some of the paintings there. That is kind of my goal right now. Retirement is still a ways off, so until then, I will continue going over as often and for as long as I can. Not ideal, but I knew it was not going to be easy.

Well enough of that... to be continued as soon as my next client leaves.

Julia, so far so good. I had an ultrasound today and the babies are both doing really well. One of them was breach during my last ultrasound but has since switched positions so they are now both head-down, which is perfect! I'm 33 weeks today, and they are both right around 4.5 pounds each. My back has been killing me, but the doctor took pity on me and gave me a prescription for something stronger than Tylenol. Otherwise I don't know if I could handle much more!! Thank you for asking. Your boys sound like a lot of fun, and I think its great that they behaved themselves while you were away! Hopefully my girls will be equally as trustworthy.

Barb, what a story! It's like a movie!! Not only did you meet a wonderful guy, but in beautiful Dubrovnik of all places. Good luck with everything, and I am looking forward to the next installment!

Tracy

Boy, good luck with those little girls Tracy. I just can't imagine how uncomfortable you must be. Hang in there, it will be so worth it when you can hold those precious little babies in your arms. Then you can start planning your next trip :)!!

I will try to get in another installment tonight. Work is always crazy here on Fridays.

Barb,

Your reports are just great! I've read each one, but haven't commented because I'm writing one myself on our recent trip to Turkey:) You're right, they're hard work, but it's run to relive it through the reports, isn't it?

Yours is a true fairy tale! You sound so happy - and what a beautiful place to fall in love! We've been there only twice :( but when people ask me about Dubrovnik I simply say that it's heaven on earth. Our dream is to someday get a little place in Cavtat (it's fun to dream, right?).

You've got to be the Buza Bar's best marketing tool - they should be giving you a commission! Can't wait to visit it on our next trip.

Looking forward to your next installment.

Ellen

Yes, please keep going, Barb. Your lovely description of walking the Stradum brought back so many wonderful memories. I can't wait to read about your next adventures...don't know that I would have braved those sea creatures!

As an aside, Tracy, good luck with your babes. DH and I would never have had the courage to travel off-season to Croatia without the support of your earlier report, and of course, Sessa's too. (Although, I'm sure travel is not at the very top of your mind these days.) Many belated thanks to all of you!

--Annie

It is like a fairy tale come true, and I have to keep pinching myself to see if I am just dreaming.

I had my little Luka for the weekend and he kept me pretty busy, but I will try to get the next installment done tonight. BTW, I want a Buza Bar t-shirt!! that's the least they can do for all the free advertising they are getting, right??

It's the very least they can do!

So,,, a huge big sigh, because I just did a big post and I hit the wrong key, and, then, it was gone!! I need to remember to submit before it gets too long. So...

Fri. 10/9:

This is DJ's last day. I was feeling a little sad, but we have had such a good time, I did not dwell on the sadness, but was looking forward to seeing her again next year in DBV or ??

DJ and I had breakfast at Kavana Dubravka, which is just outside the Pile Gate, opposite Nautika. We sat outside on the lovely terrace set overlooking the little bay between the Bokar nd Lovrijenac fortresses. This is a great place to people watch and the food is pretty good, but the service is a tad indifferent and they are a little stingy with the coffee - small cups.

From there we set out to find DJ"s children some really cool things from Dubrovnik. We sent a few emails from Skybar -- my haven in the days to come!! and then discovered a really good little shop with inexpensive jewelry and DJ scored with some great things for her daughters. This shop is, I think, right next door to the Irish Bar. Then on to the Angel shop. This is a wonderful little shop with so many unique, sort of local, finds. Highly!! recommend it.

The Taj Mahal, was calling our names, so this was where we had lunch, between our shopping quests. What can I say, it is SO!! good. We share a cevapi and a dish of veal, smothered in a creamy sauce of kymak and mushrooms and roasted potatoes with lots of that very special bread, (pita with delusions of grandeur, lol).

DJ is meeting Nino our driver, at the Ploce Gate at 6:15, but she suggests a last time at Buza Bar, so after twisting my arm, ha, we managed to find an empty table. It does get pretty crowded around the end of the day with the anticipated sunset. We then decide to do the thread "Buza Bar Alert"

Lots of laughs and, I think not wanting the day to end, I walked with her to Ploce and Nino, waiting with his van with a couple of other people heading off to the airport. As I said, it was a little sad, but I know we will see each other next year.

The Taj Mahal, was calling our names, so this was where we had lunch, between our shopping quests. What can I say, it is SO!! good. We share a cevapi and a dish of veal, smothered in a creamy sauce of kymak and mushrooms and roasted potatoes with lots of that very special bread, (pita with delusions of grandeur, lol).

DJ is meeting Nino our driver, at the Ploce Gate at 6:15, but she suggests a last time at Buza Bar, so after twisting my arm, ha, we managed to find an empty table. It does get pretty crowded around the end of the day with the anticipated sunset. We then decide to do the thread "Buza Bar Alert"

Lots of laughs and, I think not wanting the day to end, I walked with her to Ploce and Nino, waiting with his van with a couple of other people heading off to the airport. As I said, it was a little sad, but I know we will see each other next year.

Then,,, walking down Stradun, after most of the cruisers have gone back to the "Mother Ship", I am reflecting on the good times that DJ and I had. I head home to get ready for dinner with my friends from Bristol.

Why is it my hair is so crazy here?? I bring most of my hair products from home in little 3 0z bottles. What is it, the water, the salt water sea breeze, or just my lack of caring, ha.!!Anyway, whatever, I try to look my best.

We met at Rosarij, which is their fav resto too. We shared a plate of whitebait, or, is it white bait? It is crispy and delicish. I remember the first time I had white bait, in Nice. I thought I was ordering a dish of small white fish, and was quite surprised to see these little slivers of delicate fish with eyes looking up from their plate. Do I eat them whole?? Yes, the waiter tells me after I try to cut their tiny heads off. So,...yes, quite tasty and I don't even notice I've just eaten the whole thing.

So...then we are served big steaming bowls of mussels, shrimp in a delicious, rich broth, with lots of crusty bread to sop it all up.

Just to let you know that the average meal here is 80 to 200 kuno, and you can order a 1/4, 1/2 or 1 ltr. carafe of good local wine.

We decide to meet up again on Sunday for their last dinner.

My DG meets us and we walk my friends to the Pile and their bus back to the President. We walk the deserted streets, holding hands, drinking in the splendor of Dubrovnik at peace.

Sat. 10/10:

Slept in and had a relaxing morning doing a few chores around the apt, washed a few things, which I can hang out my window! and then I decided to treat myself to breakfast out at my favorite cafe on the Stradun, Bistro Dubrava. I had a mushroom omelet, white coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice - 54kuna, a very good value I think. It is a little cloudy, but still humid. I enjoyed watching the people walking Stradun, paying particular attention to clothes and shoes. Lots of fashionable tennis shoes, skinny jeans, tunic tops with leggings and BIG purses, or little bitty purses. The local women, who are so gorgeous and TALL dress a little provocatively, with very tight skirts/jeans and tight, low cut tops and seem to be able to pull it off without looking trampy.

I took the #4 bus to Dubrvonik Palace Hotel in Lapad. It is huge, but rather sterile, no charm or soul. From there I walked down the hill to Uvala beach. It is a very popular beach judging by all the locals there. There is a large playground/park area for children a very big water slide from the beach into the water. The bay is lined with cafes and hotels. I stopped and had a glass of wine across the street from the Villa Wolf. Part of the reason for coming to this area was to find the Peska walk listed in many guide books as a great path up the hill, but it was very hot and I just could not muster up the energy to do it. Sitting next to me was the most attractive Italian couple, maybe in their late 40's. She is blonde and gorgeous, in white linen blouse and pants, impreccable make up, dripping in gold jewelry, manicured nails and looking very regal. He is dark, good looking with dark hair peppered with gray. Lacoste shirt. He touches her hand lightly, but they hardly talk to each other. I tried not to stare, but I just could not take my eyes off this couple. I'm feeling short and frumpy and wishing I had done my nails. But... when they get up to leave, he is about 5'4" and she is about 5'10" and quite plump!! Ha, nothing wrong with that, but just not quite what I expected.

I hopped back on the #4 and headed back Dubrovnik. I decide to just take it easy for the afternoon and head for the resto Poklisar on the water at the old harbor.