Day 9 Dubrovnik, Croatia

For those that don’t know – today is my Birthday – and how lucky am I to be in such a beautiful place as Dubrovnik.  It really is quite stunning.  Also it is the first city we have visited that isn’t covered in smog/fog. 

We pulled in soon after 9.30am and were quite taken with the beauty of the port area.  We had been told that it is a very beautiful place, and we were not disappointed.  It is also said to be a very wealthy city with Bill Gates as a home owner here.

We boarded our shuttle bus and arrived at the ‘Old Town City Wall’ by 11.30.  The wall and the buildings, built in the 8^th century, are all in good and original condition.  Today 10,000 people live within the walls.  We paid the entry fee and climbed up and up the first set of steps that connect to the walk way around the city.  The views are spectacular.  All of the buildings are creamy white with terracotta roof tiles.  Everything is very clean, well maintained.  The locals must get sick of tourists walking past their clothes line and so close to their windows.  We made it the whole way around, just under 2k.

We went into a lovely little café and had lunch.  Den, Lindsay and I had a local Croatian beer.  It was perfect after our long walk in the hot sun.  Then it was time for a wander around the shops and then out to catch the shuttle back to the ship.  We all agreed that Dubrovnik is a very beautiful city.

When we arrived back to the ship we discovered that Julee and Lindsay were expected to move cabin.  Not to another balcony cabin but down on the 8^th floor, above the engine in an inside cabin with no refund for the difference.  So the rest of the day and most of the evening was taken up with sorting out the mess that once again the management of MSC had created.  Most passengers are now convinced that they would never again travel with the company again. 

Despite the mismanagement, lack of information.  We are really enjoying a wonderful trip.

Den had organised a Birthday cake for me which we shared with our regular table companions and the rest of the cake we managed to get to our cabin attendant for his supper.