Reawakening

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London got to us.

It was the noise, the claustrophobia inducing traffic and crowds. It was too much time spent on the Underground with all the suits.

We became a bit reclusive, sluggish, and desperately craved something new.

The night before we were set to fly for Croatia, I was sleepless. I felt giddy, moreso than I have about a new destination for a really long time. Was it that I was anxious to leave London behind, or was I excited about the adventure of Croatia laid out before us? I guess it doesn’t really matter the reason, it just felt good to be overcome with excitement again.

We landed in Dubrovnik in the evening, and as we rode the bus from the airport into town, only a faint outline of the rocky shore could be seen, with bright lights speckling the sides of the cliffs above the water. I gripped Pete’s hand and wished out-loud that we had landed in daylight. “You just have to use your imagination,” he said.

That wasn’t good enough. After a day of ports and planes, we normally would crash at our rest stop or spend the evening catching up. Instead, we dumped our bags, grabbed our camera, and hit the streets of the old city. We dashed around each glossy limestone path, as if it were somehow possible that it would all be gone in the morning.

 

 

It felt completely different and new. The fresh Adriatic air and the shininess of Dubrovnik breathed new life into us.

The following day, we wound around the same streets with a new set of eyes, and then took to a route above. We walked along he ancient city walls, constructed between the 12th and 17th centuries, they encircle buildings of bright orange roofs and cover the edge of the rocky coastline. We took to all two and a half kilometers quite slowly, playfully fighting over who-got-to-hold-the-camera-when – just in case the other happened to miss that angle with that patch of blue sky.

 

 

 

It should be without wonder why/how Dubrovnik brought us new and riveting energy. We can’t wait to see what the rest of Croatia will bring.

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Big thanks to Peter, Ivana, and the crew from Adriatic Travel Inc. for helping make our stay in Dubrovnik so wonderful with a sublimely comfortable apartment and many tips on how to enjoy the area.

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65 Comments

  1. Wow, love your photos! I was only in Dubrovnik for a short stay, but I remember how beautiful, clear and blue the water was. I found the old town really charming (and especially more laid-back and charming than London ;)). I can understand that it’s refreshing to be there. Enjoy your stay!

    – Lily

    1. The water is so blue it almost calls to you to jump in. In fact, there were people swimming in the sea in November. Crazy.

  2. LOVE the pics. Man, I miss Dubrovnik. It’s a little place of magic and I’m so glad I got to “see” it again through the lens of your camera. I’m in the Toronto airport, heading for Vancouver and wishing I was back in sunny Dubrovnik sipping wine at a cliffside buza. Hope you’re well wherever you are in the world tonight.

  3. My life changed forever when I was in Croatia. There is something entirely magical about the Adriatic Sea, the slick limestone roads, the ancient walls, the gorgeous cafes … it does awaken something inside of people. I am so glad you are able to experience it. Croatia is truly the first place I fell in love — with my life. 🙂 Enjoy!!!

  4. I wish I’ve had more time here in Eastern Europe and also discover Croatia, unfortunately I don’t and it will have to wait a little bit. Your pictures look great!

    1. Oh Dyanne – it is quite heavenly! Also heavily touristy in summer months (for OBVIOUS reasons!), but breathtaking all the same. I’d go anytime! 🙂

    1. A photographer’s dream until you get back to the room and sort the bazillion pictures we took – haha!! We luckily also had some great weather while we were there!

  5. I’m a big fan of London, but I understand the need to get a change of venue when you’ve been in a city a long time. Dubrovnik looks like it was a great choice! I know that feeling of wanting to get out and about right away to try to take in as much as possible — it can be so exciting. Great photos.

  6. BEAUTIFUL photos! Seeing things like this makes it really difficult to think about skipping Croatia during my trip around Eastern Europe next summer… But I feel like Croatia deserves its own trip!

    1. There are SO MANY tough decisions to make when visiting Europe, and from what we’ve seen since coming here in June, Croatia ranks very high on our list!

  7. Croatia was already on my list of must sees when we get to that part of the world but you make me want to get there sooner. LOVE the night pics.

  8. Interesting note: when my parents visited Dubrovnik in the early 1970s, they said that, although it was beautiful, it was uncomfortable because of the presence of KGB everywhere. How times have changed!

    1. Oh wow, no kidding. It’s hard to believe how much that little city has been through, with it being so heavily under attack in the early 90s as well.

  9. I’m so glad that Croatia could refresh you after getting down in London. I cannot wait to get to Croatia and your photos make it seems more beautiful than I imagine.

    I’m excited to follow along your train journey, what a cool itinerary!

  10. OK, I feel exactly the same way about London. I’ve always wanted to LOVE it, and yet…I just don’t.

    Dubrovnik, on the other hand, looks like my kind of place. My husband spent three years in Sicily when he was in the Navy, and it reminds me a lot of the photos he has from his time there.

    1. Exactly, everything on paper says we should love it, but we just didn’t. I’m sure we’ll be through again and will give it another shot, but I am unsure whether our opinion will change.

      We’re going to have to bug your husband for some Sicily tips as we have a rough itinerary drawn out, but haven’t put too much research into it yet. I’m afraid already we haven’t devoted enough time to it (approx 10 days)

  11. So beautiful. Croatia wasn’t even on my radar until a year or two ago when a friend visited. It looks lovely, your photos are fantastic.

  12. I’ve been wondering if I should add Crotia to my list of must sees! You’re pictures makes it look stunning! Looks a good mix of nature and architecture! How’s the hiking?

  13. As always, a great post! I try and get to Croatia in the summer as often as I can. Makes a change from Slovenia and I find the people warm, friendly and very helpful. Try speaking a little Croatian and they’re friends for life :0)

  14. Croatia was the first solo trip I ever did, and I have wonderful memories. If and when you get to split, there’s a great bar right on a little cove. I never did find out the name of it, but you have to walk part the port and around to the cove. And if you can get to Hvar, you won’t regret it. The most gorgeous sunsets and cheap cocktails I could find in the country!! Have fun!

  15. Great photos as always! We’ve been to parts of Croatia but not Dubrovnik yet. We’re thinking of going in August because we are in desperate need of a beach vacation. And since The Road Forks have told us just how dog friendly Croatia is, we’ll be bringing out globe trotting pup along with us!

    1. Dubrovnik supposedly explodes with tourists in July-Aug…but then, where doesn’t? It is so beautiful, it’ll be worth elbowing a few others in the face. 🙂

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