A Dash of Dubrovnik
Our next trip to Dubrovnik would be the last that all 4 of us would remain together until we met again back in Sydney. Therefore, it was time to soak up the sun that covered the coast of Croatia. But firstly, we must get there! As always, that means stepping off the plane and into customs. Thankfully, it was nowhere near as large as Istanbul. As a result, a quick and easy process of going through Croatian Customs.
As the airport is a 30-minute drive from Dubrovnik, we had to catch a bus. It was more of a shuttle bus with a cost of 10 Euros (16 Australian) each. We had no choice and before we knew it, we were on our way. It was certainly a scenic ride into Dubrovnik as you would pass through the greenest mountains that look out to the bright blue sea that settled beneath the cliffs.
Once there, Carly and I went to our accommodation, whereas my sister and her boyfriend went the opposite way as we had booked separately. It was about 10 AM at this point, and check-in is usually at 3 PM, so we were rolling the dice. Unfortunately, our route included a steep set of stairs that was about a 5-minute climb at a moderate pace. Without bags, it would cause a sweat. With bags and a suitcase, it required a break in between. Thankfully, we managed to get up and were accepted to only leave our luggage, as expected. We would return for a shower but now was not that time. It was time for breakfast!
Our accommodation rested on a hill that overlooked the city, not within. Therefore, we had to walk back down the hellish stairs to reward ourselves with some food. My sister and boyfriend were eating Crepes, so we too followed suit. I still remember the taste it was that good! Much better than previous meals we’ve had…
Breakfast was done and the day was still ours. The water was gorgeous, the sun was shining, and the beer was cheap. You bloody beauty! So we decided to dip our toes outside the city walls by a rockpool, and enjoy the cold, cold beer! And of course the water. A lovely place to diffuse and relax. A place to enjoy the sun that simmers on your skin only to be cooled down by the clear water of the sea.
But we can’t stay there forever! We looked around the city and attempted to find the famous scenes Game of Thrones showcased in their series. We found some but expected more. I may have mistaken some scenes from the show to which Girona, Spain was another very similar place in which they filmed. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the history of the small town and continued to look on.
There was not much to do there except to enjoy the natural beauty of it. The water occupied most of our time as we sat there on the sand drinking 80-cent Euro beer and 30-cent Euro homemade sandwiches.
It couldn’t last forever, and our last night together set on us. Before that, we decided to hit the Irish pub. One of many found across the globe. A Guinness was a given and went down quite nicely with some chippies! We chatted amongst ourselves in the corner as the EURO 2024 echoed off the screens surrounding the pub. A great night to see our joint journey out.
The last day arrived, and we had lunch together. Carly and I had an extra day in Dubrovnik whereas my Sister and her boyfriend had a flight to Italy in the night. So, we made them a cheap lunch and helped store the bags at our place before their departure. A sad departure indeed, as I knew that was it. When first departing for Europe, It was a bit easier to say goodbye to my family because I had my Sister and her boyfriend coming with us. Now, the last part of the family was drifting off and Carly and I’s adventure was just beginning. Almost 6 months left at this point and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Inevidently, the moment came and our salutations were given. It really did feel like we were even more alone in this huge world we have hardly touched.
The next day, it was our turn. A Flixbus awaited us at 3:30 PM. Despite getting there 2 hours early, the Flixbus didn’t arrive until 4:30 PM. Our first Flixbus wasn’t a Flixbus but a partner company that must work within the Balkan region. It was a 6-hour ride from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bus was full, and off we went. It was getting dark, and at about 10:30 PM we arrived on the desolate streets of Sarajevo.
And now the fun begins…