Sleeping in a soft, horizontal bed with sheets and pillows is fabulous, and when travelling, if you can't do that in the pointy end of a plane while moving fast, a long way up, then the next best thing is to do it is an hotel! And I thoroughly enjoyed my sleep last night (after devotedly staying awake to do yesterday's blog - including twice nearly falling off the couch while taking a nano-nap), with the added bonus that despite the quick trip over without a stopover in Singapore or Dubai, JJ and I are fully on European time. We put this down to yesterday's time in the sun and maybe related to the satisfying meal and litre of wine.

I was here going to add in a short reference to the intriguing key that we had here at the Best Western Titian Inn because it was a huge, and very attractive metal key, which had us fumbling with multiple lock turns which meant that we took some time to get into our room. I took a photo to show you what it looked like, but my iPad says apparently I didn't snap the pic. So no pic of the key, but I have one of the lovely view out our window instead. I will leave the key issue for you to ask about over a wine on return if you want to know more.

After rising at 4am and downing breakfast with choice from a very comprehensive breakfast (free - as are many on this trip as we chose hotels based on free breakfasts and sea views, oh and price) we transferred to the airport (naturally.. he he) for a very well managed and comfortable flight Venice to Viennna. Notable was my distraction with a client phone call, resulting in us being the last two onto the bus out to the plane, but I still happened to notice that my fellow travellers included lots of young, very stylish young men (and several well turned out young women). The stylishness of European men, including the casual scarf and coat / shirt look, great shoes and the modern rugged facial hair look is very pleasant. Some readers will identify with this - congratulations and I recommend that you give thanks for the European influence in your life.

Having a window seat was a treat for me (I am usually strictly an aisle girl, with rabbit like speed to get off the plane and out of the airport, but no seat choice in tourist mode, so some landscape pics are included for reference). The one notable bit (I was actually hoping for alps but the pilot was apparently not briefed ) of the Austrian landscape was expanses of what looked like a forever golf course (but definitely not similar the one that I recently heard about across the Nullabor, which has me thinking that if my idea of riding across in 2017 (let me know if you want to join the trip) comes off we could take a few clubs).

Vienna airport was a delight with great amenities and lots of lovely shops for checking out...apparently. I resisted, set up my office in what were wonderful desk/comfortable lounge type of seats, and after a phone consultation (thanks Skype) and 2 quicker calls I settled down to complete my daily work target (to keep clients and my bank account happy).

With my allocated work time done, JJ dragged me off to a cafe for lunch sampling the delights of a salad bar + green tea (see pic...I was attracted to the green tea due to the attractive bottle which is now my to-be-refilled water bottle). Our flight was a bit late but the humongous glass of red wine (which had to be scoffed down due to the short flight and our being in row 31 (out of 34 on a full plane)) meant that all was forgiven. The only complaint (very minor, and while I am commenting on pluses and minuses is to note that I am happy to give Austrian Airlines a 10/10 for very comfortable planes, very friendly and linguistically skilled crew, and efficient loading procedures including scanning your own boarding pass to achieve turnstile like entry for boarding) was the cloud cover till we reached the coast of mid-Croatia. I was hoping for a clearer view with alps somewhere and more sunshine, but red wine means it is easy to forgive.

Safe landing in Dubrovnik and the fellow sent from the hotel had my name clearly displayed, so our transfer to the hotel was very easy. Checked in, admired the beautiful view across the bay pic before unpacking and after logging on, some email checking, unpacking, research for the next few days and we were on our way to the bus to the old city. In doing so we chanced upon a good option of buying a pass that allows more bus rides than we can fit in in 3 days, and well as 6 museums and entry to the walk around the wall of the old city. We are unlikely to use our quota of 10 any time, and will bring our tickets back to OZ so if you are thinking of Dubrovnik, Croatia as a holiday destination, let me know and the tickets can be yours.

On arrival into Croatia I was reminded of my many, many ice creames (too many tho join)consumed during my Balkans trio, and upon approaching the old city gates I was torn (see pic). The gates won in the short term, but within 10 mins JJ and I were enjoying our first ice cream in Croatia in 2016 (more to come)! The rest of the afternoon we wandered through the city, admiring everything and I strengthened my resolve to watch more of GoT so that I appreciate what was what in the series. For those of you who have spent time here you will know what a well preserved site it is, and for those of you who haven't been... You should come here soon. Pics tomorrow when we walk the walls

It didn't take long to find a place for dinner, though being the tourist end of town, the prices weren't too easy on the pocket... Bur we have to make the most of things don't we? Dinner was terrific, in a little elongated restaurant hugging the walls of a curved street. Delicious food, washed down. By a beer (wine for JJ).

Now I am fading fast and must get this posted.

But finally, I have to comment on the number of two wheelers with motors. I started counting the motorbikes and scooters on the drive in from the airport but when I got to 493 I stopped counting. Just kidding but it was lots. However seeing all the groups of motorbike riders)obviously on tour given the amount of luggage, (the scooter riders are clearly locals but there are lots of them) has strengthened my resolve to return to explore more of Eastern Europe, but definitely on two wheels (so lots more practice needed). Attached pic of the HUGE bike parking area across the road from the old city gives you some idea of the numbers .... My pic is about 1/4 of what was there:)..