Leave 00:05 Hong Kong Arrive 06:25 Rome CX293 / QF 3861 12h 20m 747-400
Leave 12:20 Rome Arrive 13:30 Dubrovnik OU5617

Well it took a lot longer than above. Rome is the most terrible major international airport both of us have seen; it leaves so much to be desired compared to Sydney or Hong Kong.

Finally on the plane and we missed our take off slot. So we waited about 2 hours on the tarmac for the next best slot. Aaarrrggghhh.

Got to Dubrovnik hotel about 4.30 pm so a very long day (23hrs??). It wasn't helped that we decided a taxi to the hotel was best then figured we were paying Western Europe prices and not the Eastern we had hoped. But we were to find that the Dalmatian coast definitely costs the same as Western Europe, so if you expect Prague prices then you will be shocked (as were we).



After a quick change of room (same but better natural light) we went for a quick walk in to the old town and had some dinner. Pizza, lasagne and a glass of wine for about $30 AUD. Mandy loved the wine and we both enjoyed the lasagne, it was so rich and flavoured. Little to know this was the best meal we would have all week in Croatia.
We couldn't get away from the pizza as the coast is very Italian influenced but after trying paella, pasta, a burger, chicken and pork the only thing that came close to taste and enjoyment was a steak we had the first night in the hotel restaurant in Hvar. After making a complaint about our room we were offered a bottle of wine for dinner so ended up in there (normally we wouldn't have eaten in house). But the wine was equal in price to the rest of the meal so.......

Day 2 started with the hotel breakfast, nothing unique to anything we had previously had. Then we were off to see the wizard... I mean the city.
We thought we would try to not do the obvious so we skirted the outside perimeter of the city. And we were glad we did. We ended up around the other side and really enjoyed our day wandering around.

Later we cut back through the city but only to get back to our room and some fabulous 80's sitcoms on TV. After a rest we were back into the city this time for dinner and the city in lights. After really bad paella and a jumper to keep out the cold we had some shots and back for a well deserved nights kip.
Day 3 Paul was in town before breakfast to avoid the crowds and get some happy snaps and how worthwhile it was!!

After breakfast both of us were climbing more steps for the 2+km walk around the wall.
Well worth the walk but choose a time and day when you don't have a load of cruise boat tourists with you.

They have to be the most annoying thing about Dubrovnik followed closely by the modernisation of the city to meet tourism.

We thought the city was lovely and beautiful and wondered at the hate that must have existed to bomb the city in the civil war but were disappointed that the streets had too many modern stores or cafes. The city has no feeling. An old city should be like Jerusalem or any of the towns in the Middle East but Dubrovnik was an outdoor shopping centre.

Lastly Paul started his collection of statue shots - tickled pick he was with this one!!!