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Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe, Ships

Wave goodbye and thanks Croatia and isle be back

19th October 202419th October 2024 funtime65

Mahmuti zbogom i Hvala Croatia i isle be back.

Or for those who aren’t fluent by now in Hravatska wave goodbye and thanks Croatia and isle be back.

Which, of course, in this idiosyncratic strip of a country of 1,423 islands means waving goodbye to a pancake machine.

Which is how we kickstart the contraption in the buffet at the Grand Park Hotel.

Playing to the balcony: The Grand Park Hotel, Dubrovnik

On our loveholidays and EasyJet odyssey in Dubrovnik.

It would, of course, be back on our kitchen worktop by now.

Had the Mother of all Dragons not packed the suitcase to the brim with olive oil from the islands.

A scoot around the Elaphiti Islands

We have, in truth, barely made an indentation on those 1,423 isles in our seven days here.

But we did bag three more, the Elaphiti Islands with Get Your Guide (from €60pp) on our last day.

And now with luscious Lokrum, just 700m from Old Town Dubrovnik already explored that makes four.

In all honesty, the Elaphiti Islands lacked the charm, or peacocks, of Lokrum.

And contrary to Pliny the Elder’s claims despite the origins of their name there are no deer on these Elaphiti Islands.

Although plenty of wee Croatian Old Dears, one of whom in Sipan fluttered her eyelids.

To draw Herself into buying her olive oil.

The cutting crew

We have come here on Triton which we pick up from the marina having been driven to the shore from our hotel.

Lorenzo, our dreadlocked polyglot Italian guide and Jakob, his barefooted Polish pal deckhand, get the party going.

We start with Abba and I am reminded of my starring part in Jimmy, Jimmy (A man after midnight) on the Bosphorus.

But word must have reached them and I am not asked to reprise it.

Jakob gives us a pep with plum Rakija chasers and Lorenzo tops us up with Dalmatian wine.

Choose your church

Now if you love yourself an oul’ church then the Elaphiti Islands, and Dubrovnik in general, will be right up your ulica.

With one church for every one in the audience.

Although you imagine St Jerome the Hermit wouldn’t have shared his.

And his doors on Lopud are shut when we visit.

My little flower: Herself on the islands

Our time on the islands is alas too brief, 45 minutes each, although we do get to leaf through the botanic gardens.

But hardly enough to get lost on the steep rocky steps in Sipan which houses a positively throbbing 419 residents.

To get to yet another monastery ruins and meet another moggie.

Bare truth about departure time

Now you’d think 45 minutes would be long enough for a nudist beach.

On Kolocep which boasts just 163 inhabitants and just as many cats.

But alas it is too far out to get there and back in time for departure.

With Jakob saying Triton leaves bang on time, kit or sans kit.

In search of a dense hot chocolate

Now despite everyone on the isles seemingly working in the hospitality sector not one serves la ciocolatta di calda densa.

The thick hot chocolate, sometimes found in Dubrovnik, and always in Italia.

There is enough time on our eight-hour boat trip though for Lorenzo and Jakob to wine and dine us some more.

With no shortage of fresh fish, chicken and vegetarian fare all part of the package.

While spirits and coffee are budget prices.

Negotiating the waves

Lorenzo and I parliamo Italiano as we rise to the rhythm of the waves and the Cuban dance music.

And I feel I have made a connection when I share that I loved visiting his hometown Bergamo.

That is until I over-reach and mangle my Italian greeting.

And when I shortchange him at the end when he gets the tip bucket out our prospects of being amichi fade.

And my parting ciao falls on deaf ears without even a buona notte e sogni d’oro in return.

Still, my pancake machine the next morning at breakfast loves and understands me.

So I head for home with a wave goodbye and thanks Croatia and isle be back.

And my wee pancake machine waves back.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Another Dubrovnik where war is real

16th October 202417th October 2024 funtime65

They come today to tred the Walk of Shame, but look around you and you will catch another Dubrovnik where war is real.

That the world pronounces that they will try and protect such jewels is admirable.

Although philistines and warmongers pay little heed.

Cities of culture

As anyone knows who followed the Dresden story and witnessed how they rebuilt that Renaissance city, the Florence of the Elbe.

History moves on and for Dresden 1945 read Dubrovnik 1991.

When the expansionist Serbs laid siege to the Pearl of the Adriatic over the autumn and winter of that year of change.

The tragedy of the Siege of Dubrovnik is that it had become a refuge for Croatians from neighbouring towns and villages.

Those who believed its cultural heritage would prick the Serbs’ conscience.

Defenders of Dubrovnik

The full story of the Fight for the Homeland is detailed at the War Museum above the Old Town.

Which today’s visitors can reach by cable car (€32 for two) which do give stunning vistas.

Although if you’re feeling fit you can walk up the winding 2km path.

It was after all how the defenders of Dubrovnik scaled the heights.

With their donkeys and their artillery and provisions.

The War Museum is a testament to the courage of the Defenders of Dubrovnik.

Road to freedom

Military aficionados will focus on the cache of weapons and uniforms and insignia on display.

While for this journalist and his photojournalist wife the audio film and pictorial and editorial displays of the Siege capture our attention.

We spend a couple of hours learning and assimilating the Siege of Dubrovnik before walking down the slopes to the Old Town.

We place stones by the crosses that mark the winding path and say a prayer at the Stations of the Cross.

It is a leisurely stroll and one not afforded those who fought and died here in 1991.

Let the Games begin

A Game of Thrones tour awaits us down by the fountain at the front gates of the Old Town.

It is, of course, all fantasy which we will share with you as we continue our loveholidays and EasyJet holiday.

And for that we are all thankful.

Countries, Culture, Europe

With the Croatians in the Belfast Celtic bar

13th October 202413th October 2024 funtime65

Enough about the score already I reverted to type and spent post-match Dubrovnik with the Croatians in the Belfast Celtic bar.

The good people of Hrvatska have quickly moved on too from their favourites beating Scotland 2-1 in the European Nations Cup.

As Josko, with whom I share a sauna back in my billet at the Grand Hotel Park, reminds me, it’s only a friendly.

The Dubrovcanins are too, curious and direct.

By the time we part and I revive myself with my cold overhead shower I feel we have more of an insight of each other.

Although, gratefully for you dear reader, no unsavoury mental images here, Croatians wear towels to protect their modesty.

Green party

Whether the locals indeed know the Celtic history which is enough to make your hearts go whoah, whoah, whoa is moot.

They may just like the green, white and gold colour scheme on the walls and the craic.

The locals were out in numbers, drinking the Ozujksko local brew although naturally there is Guinness on tap.

The Celtic Bar Belfast Dubrovnik is obviously a treasure trove.

For those who follow the Bhoys with pictures of heroes, past and present.

And Irish reference and political points such as a You Are Welcoming Free Derry model.

Feeling flush

In the interests of fairness and reaching across the Glasgow Religious Divide the Belfast Bar is inclusive to their Rangers rivals.

In the urinal and the loo where the Gers’ crest is prominent.

Now for those who like their subject matter puerile and guttural then we will be delving into Game of Thrones Old Town Dubrovnik.

And share that with you and much else.

As we continue our loveholidays and easyJet holiday to Dubrovnik for our pearl anniversary.

But for now we’re checking out what else is on the prom and diddly om pom pom and that’s worth a piece in itself.

Underscoring this week though we’ve got us our sports bar so that’s our nights sorted.

With the Croatians in the Belfast Celtic bar.

Countries, Culture, Europe

Back on the road to Dubrovnik

12th October 202412th October 2024 funtime65

I’ve the right passport this time so won’t have to turn around… we’re back on the road to Dubrovnik.

We’ve been over this ground before here and how I took myself off the coach from Medjugorje at the first stop.

Because I had my old passport on me with my American visa stamped on it.

With my current one back in the safe in the hostel.

And going through non-EU Bosnia & Herzegovina into EU Croatia requires a passport.

My Queen of Dragons

All of which comes into sharp focus as I take my Queen of Dragons to Dubrovnik today.

On her 30th anniversary trip courtesy of loveholidays.

The boards at Edinburgh Airport remind us to check our passports.

And make sure that if we have new UK passports that they are signed.

To avoid delays at custom checks on the other side.

Much has changed since I last visited the Balkans.

But thankfully not in that fractious but fabulous strip of south-eastern Europe.

Rather back in Britain where since our own return from 13 years in Ireland Boris got Brexit done.

Boris’s Brexit balls-up

And don’t you know Johnson has a book out, Unleashed, brazenly boasting about that.

It’s on sale at WH Smith’s and The Bookshop at Edinburgh Airport and all good stores at 18.99… he needs the money, of course.

So what of this new UK passport they are harking on about here?

Well, it will ensure you longer waits to get through customs.

As you’re filed into the non-integrationist line of European airports.

Just back from Berlin earlier this year I witnessed signs advising to leave an hour to get through customs.

Of course, for those of us who left the club.

Sure, we’re all Irish

I’m not planning, though, on going through the rigmarole of renewing my British passport in three years’ time.

With an unusual source for pushing me to set in motion something I should have done years ago…

Get an Irish passport.

Because I owe my much-storied neighbour Royalist Roy for giving me the shove.

When trying to get me around to his house to pledge a troth (no, me neither) to the newly-anointed King Charles.

To make his point, he smilingly asked me how I was described on my passport.

World of Game of Thrones

To be fair he is tending to our front lawn while we’re away.

Royalist Roy that is, not his hero.

While I’m back on the road to Dubrovnik with a passport that will get me through customs.

And where we will explore the world of the Game of Thrones.

And put aside the world of the Shame of Thrones for a week until we return.

Jim and Sarah are staying at the 4* Grand Park Hotel, Dubrovnik for seven nights, H/B with balcony view for £1,121.

With return flights from Edinburgh with EasyJet from under three hours.

Caribbean, Countries, Cruising, Culture, Deals, Europe, Flying

Holiday Snaps – Atoll order, your own private island

18th July 202018th July 2020 funtime65

If you have to be stuck in lockdown it might seem like Atoll order, but I would recommend an island in the Maldives. Just saying.

And one, Kandolhu http://www.kandolhu.com, that is 200sqm is just the ticket and even better now that all its five bars will be reopening… Atoll tale – the Maldives, http://www.kuramathi.ie and http://www.turkishairlines.ie http://www.turkishairlines.com.

But in the words of the inestimable Chris Tarrant, I don’t want to give you that (well, I do but…) I want to give you this.

Joali, 45 minutes by seaplane from Male, which is welcoming back guests from August 1.

There’s everything you would expect in terms of luxury with your own swimming pool, yoga and wellness treatment, private dining options and the chance to go out to your own desert island!

But get this, you and your friends can buy out the island’s own 73 villas and residences and facilities.

Exclusive use buyout will start from $90,000 per night through to September 30 and $185,000 per night between October 1 and 30 November.

For guests 12 and above an all-inclusive full-board meal plan (including alcohol for adults) will cost an additional $450per night per guest. Visit http://www.inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk.

And whaddya mean you haven’t got that kind of moolah? You’ve been locked down for the last four months!

Insert smiley Ryanair emoji here

You know that we’re getting back to normal when Ryanair http://www.ryanair.com are getting funky with their slogans and emojis again and they’ve only taken to dressing oranges with sunglasses.

To flag up many of my favourites, among them Barcelona https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/, http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk and Messi around on the water and Smooth sailing around the Western Med from €24.99, Dubrovnik with Croatia Tours https://visitdubrovnik.hr, http://www.Croatia.ie and On the road to Dubrovnik from €24.99.

And my honeymoon island of Malta http://www.visitmalta.com and Malta pleaser also from €24.99.

Where myself and the world’s luckiest woman still have a complimentary bottle of champagne which we never finished 25 years ago still waiting for us.

Wearing my Sandals on my sleeve

Caribbeanophile that I am, I’ve been cheering on the Windies in their Test series with England (don’t tell the Scary One).

The Windies are of course promoting Sandals http://www.sandals.co.uk on the sleeves of their shirts and it is timely as their resorts are open for business with some great offers.

Jamaica has been the prize which has been slipping through my grasp these past couple of years through me being in another part of the world at the time when it was offered, or even worse WORKING!

*The famous five with Laura and Hayley centre*

But I will keep next January free (promise!) for your seven-night stay at the Sandals Ochi Beach, seven nights from £2,129pp including flights.

You can upgrade too to butler elite room for only €156 which tickled the fancy of my colleagues when I stayed there Let’s rumba in Barbados and http://www.visitbarbados.org who I’ll call Laura and Hayley so as NOT to protect their privacy!

And, of course, I’ve been promising you more Jocktails with a Caribbean twist. They’re coming. Don’t you know how difficult it is to get Falernum in Scotland.

Crazy cruisey government advice

And sporting my medallion on my lapel

So, who thinks it’s a good idea to give the green light to pack out pubs and beaches but thinks it unsafe to let cruise companies and grown-ups distance themselves on cruise ships?

Herself was only a little princess when she passed through the Panama Canal with her parents on her trip home on a working ship from Australia as a child.

Princess Cruises had been traversing the canal for some half a dozen years by then and have continued to do so (lockdown excepted) and aim to do so again.

All of which will be sweet music to the Indomitable Mrs M who wants an upgrade from that working ship!

For 2021-22 voyages wil range from 10-15 days visiting 17 destinations in eight countries.

On the 10-day option you’ll have the choice of leaving either from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale and Miami – a tale of two sittings or Los Angeles My Weekend With Marilyn or San Francisco with stop-offs in, among others, Mexico, South and Central America.

Visit http://www.pirncess.com. I might even let Herself off from winding back the levers on those locks!