Adriatic Shores

Adriatic Shores

By Mary Jo

I've written about the first part of our Italy to Istanbul cruise, and now it's time for part two, visiting countries on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. 

Croatia

First up was Croatia, a beautiful country with mountains and a long stretch of sea coast.  Dubrovnik is perhaps its best known city, and it's spectacular.  We visited several years ago so instead of touring the city, we visited places in the country.  Above is a view of Dubrovnik from a road above the town. You can see the round shape, the walled city, and the orange roofs. We visited several years ago.  On the right is a picture of one of its steep, stepped streets. I loved all the greenery along the steps!

 

The countryside is lovely.  The town of Trogir is 2300 years old and it's built on an small island with a bridge connecting it to the mainland.  There are masses of old churches, monasteries, and more, including the 13th century Cathedral of St. Lawrence. Not surprisingly, the feline statues outside particularly caught my attention. <G>

But what moved me the most was the simple modern memorial below.  It honors all those who died in the fierce Croatian war of independence in the early 1990s, a reminder that freedom comes with a price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A more peaceful visit was to this old mill, where we were also given a very nice snack.  (Viking excursions often include snacks of local food and drink, and they are good!)  Servers wore native costumes and spoke excellent English, which is a required language in Croatian schools.. Tourism is a major industry in Croatia, and is one of the few college majors open to her. 

Montenegro

Montenegro is a tiny but very diverse country, The capital is Kotor and it's located at the head of what looks like a very long, dramatic fjord, but it's actually a drowned river valley, for those of you who are geologically inclined. The image on the right was the view of Kotor from our ship's cabin. Church domes and mountains.

Montenegro loves cats. Apparently that passion goes back to the Great Plague of the 14th century, when the cats killed rats and reduced the spread of the plague, or so the story goes! To the left is one of the very relaxed cats that were all over. They expect people to step over them. <G>

 

We took an excursion that led us along a lovely coast road to a concert in the very old church of St. Nicholas.  The guitar playing duo are well known not only in Montenegro but throughout Europe. They played mostly classic music that suited the location. Magical!

On my next journey segment--Greek Islands and Greece!

Happy armchair travel--

Mary Jo

Comments

[Mary T]

I love these armchair travels! All the cats in Montenegro made me think of a trip I took to Venice back in the 60s. I remember wondering why there were so many cats running loose in the city. I had never seen so many cats just walking around like they owned the place.

Years later while watching a drama that took place in Venice on TV they cut to a shot of a rat scurrying along a canal. Made me think that may have been a reason for all those cats. Or maybe it was all those pidgeons in St. Marks Square (smile).

Anyway, thanks for a lovely trip.

[Karin]

I visited Dubrovnik in the 1970's back when there was still a Yugoslavia, and I thought it was the most beautiful country in Europe. The mountains are amazing and the old city is just stunning.

[Constance]

Mary Jo - Viking should give you free trips! Your trip memories are so lovely--thanks for sharing! Can't wait for the Greek Islands; that's a trip I'm longing to do. I can never hear "Dubrovnik" without thinking of the Liza Minelli song, "Ring Them Bells", in which the heroine finds love in Dubrovnik! It's very funny, but with wise advice - here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mupOfwl-x5o

[Annette N]

I was under the impression cats and dogs always expect us to step over them, no matter what language they speak.

Thanks for the lovely trip and pictures. You have done well for us and I appreciate it very much.

Hope everyone is well.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Mary T, I'm glad you enjoyed the tour! It sounds as if the Venetian cats earn their living. *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Karin, so true about how stunning Dubrovnik is. They had to do a lot of rebuilding after the war of independence, but they've done it seamlessly.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Constance, thanks for much for the link! I wasn't familiar with the song, but Liza Minelli was, as always, amazing.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Annette, we're flourishing here--it's always nice to return home. I know some cats who scoot off if the see people approaching, but yes, others just lie there and own their space.

[Kareni]

That was a great performance, Constance. Thanks for sharing the link!

[Kareni]

Mary Jo, thanks for sharing your travels with us. This is a part of the world I've never visited, so it's all new to me.

[Teresa Broderick]

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time Mary Jo!! Those are some gorgeous pictures.

[Janet Murdoch]

Thank you so much for this! We will be in Dubrovnik and Kotor in a couple of weeks as our Mediterranean cruise leaves Barcelona June 1. I cannot wait to see all these beautiful places - I so enjoy the old buildings and sense of history. We plan to walk around both places rather than go on an excursion and will definitely step over the cats! I love to touch walls and buildings and try to imagine life there in another time. So excited!!!

[Mary Jo Putney]

It depends on the particular dog or cat. *G* We've had cats that scoot away, and others that just lie there and watch disdainfully.

I'm glad you're enjoying these travel blogs. Sharing them and choosing pictures extends the pleasure for me.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Kareni, I hope you get to this part of the world someday! Well worth the visit.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thanks, Teresa! Cell phones definitely simplify the picture taking.

[Mary M.]

I've always enjoyed taking photos of cats and dogs wherever I've traveled—they, along with the people, reassure me that we're all one world with more in common than not. The cat above reminded me of a dog I saw splayed out on the flagstone entrance to a busy restaurant in northern Thailand. It was a smallish hound, so still, peaceful, and spread out we called it "the melted dog." Years back, but still one of my favorite travel photos.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful countryside, Mary Jo. And thanks for reminding us that war is seldom forever and is eventually followed by the strength and rebirth that come with rebuilding. Hope that happens for Ukraine.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Mary M, I love the story of your melted hound! Cats and dogs are universal, and universally loved.

As for war--it's horrible, it ends, human resilience rebuilds. Here's hoping the best for Ukraine.