Split to Dubrovnik - 30 May

Day 25- The 8am bus from Split to Dubrovnik hugged the coast line so by sitting on the right hand side I took in some magical views of the flat Adriatic Sea with Aqua water close to the shore then deepening into a black glittering expanse as you looked into the distance.

As Bosnia and Herzagovina had won some coast in the war we were required to go through passport control to enter this area. We stopped there for morning tea where I spotted a lamington with a Bosnian name so enjoyed this along with an espresso.

It wasn't too much further and we were through another passport control area and at Dubrovniks main bus station (half an hour later about 1.15pm).

I took a local bus to Dubrovnik same as I had with the Sail Croatia bunch as they had docked nearby. In the old town I used my map app to find the Old City Inn but still managed to go the long way and need to climb a lot of stairs with my heavy back pack!!!

It was more like someone's residence with no sign and the lady who greeted me did not speak English. She didn't have my name on a list she showed me but requested my passport and took me to my room.

I freshened up and came to pay and that's when the trouble started ... She wanted more money!!! In hind sight I think she thought I was someone staying longer and was trying to use google translate to interpret with her, but in the end she had a neighbor come over and I paid the correct amount!

A bit behind schedule I finally was on my way and caught the 3pm ferry to Lokrum Island. I was tired and hungry so after a wander to photograph rabbits and peacocks I had some lunch then headed back on a very crowded 5.15pm ferry.

I wandered around the old town taking some photos in better weather conditions then I'd had when id visited with sail croatia but found I preferred the previous pics as they were more moody!

I stopped for a very overpriced cider (50 kuna - $10 Australian with tip) at Buza bar to watch the sun set - I was behind people and they were all smoking so left frustrated and returned home to change for dinner.

There my Croatian lady grumbled at me I think because I put my backpack on the spare bed rather than in the cupboard?! It was all croation and pointing and pouting so really have no idea?!

Dinner was a truffle pasta which was only ok, stocked up on some supplies then headed back to my room and up all those many steps for sleep! (I'd here people panting on the level below, them too tired after walking up all those many steps!!! I was also awoken not once but twice during the evening by an Italian / Chilean key ... Both times they kept trying the door to my room waking me and the second time I got up to their surprise to let them know it was my bedroom not the bathroom!!!).

Day 26 - Grumpy from interrupted sleep I awoke, dressed and met my 7.45am 'small group' tour to Montenegro. Unfortunately it was full of older couples (eg 70s +!), parents and older children traveling together, or a couple of in your face Indian businessmen so not really in the mood for making conversation and felt a little left out!

We went through passport control to visit Montenegro and the road once again took us down the beautiful Adriatic coast line which I was once again lucky to score a window seat for.

First stop was a photo op overlooking an island that was a former monastery now a resort at 1500€ per night.

Second stop was 2 hours in Budva which has a beautiful fortes old part and a ritzy holiday central new part where people come to play. One of the night clubs can hold 5000 people! They also apparently have 700 millionaires but unfortunately none of them came to sweep me off my feet :-(

After some exploring I had lunch at the recommended restaurant which was delicious and cheap! Back on the euro again and a glass of wine and mussels buzzara style was only 12€

The good food and wine was a bit more then I realised and found myself unable to keep eyes open and micro napping in the bus!

Next stop all I wanted to do was sleep but a local guide dragged us around Kotor where we heard about the history of the old fort. An hour later I lazily explore a little more, a little thankful that with only an hour til we had to regroup that I had no time to hike the 3 million steps to the church and top of the fort and found myself a nice cake shop and had a biscuito and an americano instead! A few more pics then back in the bus!

Next stop was Perast where I declined the boat trip to the island for an extra fee to instead take photos and have a nice cool drink as it was now getting really hot!

That was our last stop and although I enjoyed seeing Montenegro next time it would be nicer with someone i could have fun with and in our own car so we could explore at leisure!!!

On the way back I had them let me out on the road above town so I could take photos.

From there I walked down stopping at the travel agency opposite the cable car office to buy my airport shuttle ticket and work out my bearings for the morning.

Walking back into the old town I spotted my crazy croation accommodation host who was actually quite friendly as I walked by! I noted the line to Lady pi pi was quite short so was heading there and she motioned for me to do the same.

In trip advisor it was the 4th most popular restaurant and after an hour wait I can agree that it is!

They put me at a table with what I'm pretty sure was a gay Texan couple who were probably a similar age and good himoured so actually ended up having a really nice and fun last dinner as we talked all things travel while watching the sun set over Dubrovnik. Thankfully the food, wine and aperitif were also good!

Day 27 - Woken again by the other guests but up at 8am to get ready for the airport.

I left early stopping for the last time at a Pekarana dining on a flaky pastry and meat Burek and coffee.

The airport bus for 920 was 20 minutes late but arriving approx. 10am i still had 2.5 hours until my flight.

Hopping on board my flight I first hear a couple of passengers discussing that she's on row 'tree' which had me internally giggling ... Turned out she was in 'twenny-tree'. And then had a funny conversation with my Irish seat mates as we tried to work out with the time distance how long our flight would be ... I was giggling to myself it was like and Irish joke!!! I couldn't understand at least half of what the stewardess was saying over the microphone but alas it's got me excited about getting to Ireland and finding some craic! (As opposed to crack!)

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