Wednesday, August 14, 2013

That autumn day in Dubrovnik. . .

“Those who seek paradise
        should come to Dubrovnik. . .”

said George Bernard Shaw, who is also credited with labeling this city as being “the pearl of the Adriatic”.

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We would heartily agree with Shaw on both counts and we’ve just scratched the city’s surface! 

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But, thanks to the wonders of cruising, we’ve visited this town ---on the other side of the world -- twice in the last decade; our most recent visit a day trip last fall. As with most day-trippers, on each visit we headed directly to the old Walled City:

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And much like our first visit, we went straight to the stairway that led to the top of the wall (this time, however, there was a ticket booth and entry fee). The wall at 4 – 6 meters wide and 2 kilometer (1.24 mile) long envelops the old city in a continuing protective embrace that has lasted through the decades.

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But the wall wasn’t enough to protect the old town from the destruction caused by a late 20th Century conflict -- a part of the seven-month siege that began in Oct. 1991 after Croatia and Slovenia  (once a part of Yugoslavia) – declared their independence.  One of the worst battles resulted in 19 deaths and 60 injuries.

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More than 56% of the buildings were damaged during the conflict and there were some 650 artillery hits within the old walled city. On our first visit here the new roofs were  a striking contrast to the old; this last visit, thanks to weather and time, the new roofs had become less visible.

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The views, the history and the beauty from atop  that old wall will forever be stored among our special travel memories:

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Have you been to Dubrovnik? What is your special memory of this ‘pearl’?

That’s it for this week’s Travel Photo Thursday. Check out Budget Travelers Sandbox for more armchair travels. We appreciate the time you spend with us and hope to see you again. . .real soon!

32 comments:

  1. Dubrovnik looks gorgeous! Love the little green courtyard garden.

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    1. I found on both visits, that little garden courtyard of a home so inviting that I wish I could someday find the owner out in it and call out to them a greeting and thanks for providing such a wonderful warmth to the wall walk. Thanks for visiting, Lisa!

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  2. I absolutely loved Dubrovnik!! I did my exploring by a little fishing boat and through the streets, so next time I will HAVE to head up to the wall like you did. :-)

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    1. We did walk those wonderful streets within the walls as well, but with just a day there was so much left unexplored. . .another reason to return one day! Thanks for your visit today.

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  3. I have heard about the old walled city, and seen pics, so thank you for taking us there. On my list! Happy travels and have a great week.

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    1. Hi Jill -thanks for the visit and glad you enjoyed the tour. I am heading your direction to see where you are taking us today soon!

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  4. Oohh great post. I just came back from Dubrovnik in June. We went on a cruise as well. This was my favorite stop on the trip even though we only had a short time on shore. It is so beautiful! I shared my trip in a post. Thanks for also sharing!
    P.S. I am currently having a giveaway on my blog for a vintage inspired handmade clutch!

    -Brittany Ruth

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    1. Thanks for stopping by today Brittany. Hope you'll be a regular here - either by subscribing or adding your photo to our list of Google friends! That's a cute handbag on your blog!

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  5. I've never been anywhere near Dubrovnik. I love the beautiful blue of both the sky and the water in your photos. One thing that I like about cruising is the ability to see so many cities without having to change "hotels".

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    1. Yes, there are good and bad points to cruising, but the 'hotel' factor you mentioned Michele is really one of the good points!! Thanks for your visit. . .

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  6. I haven't but this certainly makes me want to go!! You always make me want to pack my bags... :)

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    1. Hello Heather, Thanks for stopping by today -- glad we inspire you to pack your bags, but then living where you do must feel like a perpetual vacation!!

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  7. I'm sooo looking forward to my first visit this fall, what a gorgeous place and filled with history and even quite recent.

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    1. You -- and your camera -- will love the place Noel. I can only imagine some of the fantastic photos you will produce.

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  8. HI Jill, no I haven't been to Dubronik. It's one of those places I'm dying to go. Now I want to go even more after reading that quote from Shaw. I love your photos of red roofs from above - so picturesque! And you guys look great!

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    1. Thanks -- not bad for a couple of 60-somethings,right!?

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  9. I'm so sorry I misspeledl your name. I meant Jackie and not Jill:( My bad.

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    1. Oh how many times have I done that - either wrong name or misspelled correct name. . .I know that feeling of seeing it after the publish button is hit! ;-)

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  10. I've never been to Dubrovnik but it's been on travel wish list for a long time. It was all Rick Steve's fault :) What a beautiful city and I'd love to go on a Med cruise just to dock here.

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    1. Rick Steves does plant the seed, doesn't he? And yes, the arrival and docking was as picturesque as the old city - I may do another post on that alone.

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  11. I have been to Dubrovnik on a summer day and loved it, thank you for sharing!

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    1. Hi Davide, Welcome to TravelnWrite - hope you'll be a regular here and like our FB page as well! (Just visited your site and became a new 'like' of your FB page).

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  12. I like the shot of the island through the arch.

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  13. Your shots are outstanding, Jackie. I have to agree with Dick on the shot through the arch...great perspective. I have not been to Dubrovnik, but I would love to go!

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    1. Thanks Nancie! I think it would be hard not to get a get photo when you have Dubrovnik's old city in the photo.

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  14. I haven't been but it's high on my list!

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    1. Keep it up there on the list Denise - it is so amazing!

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  15. Gosh its so very pretty, glad it recovered from the fire destruction caused by the conflict and could rebuild its history. Dubrovnik looks like a great place to explore.

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    1. Yes, each of the two times we've had a taste of the place, we say it is time to come back and really explore Croatia. . .hopefully, one of these days!

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  16. Jackie, sorry so tired today. Long week! Your posts make me smile always so not much to say....that's a me thing. Not your post. I really like the picture of the arch :)

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the post today, Mike! Hope you get some rest this weekend. . .or is it just because you've been 'past your curfew'?

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