2geonomads

Saturday 17th May 2014

Slow start to the day and after a fairly late breakfast at the flat we walk to the west end of the city, through the Pile Gate to check out the practicality of dragging our cases through the crowds to the taxi rank. The crowds are far greater than on the previous day, presumably due to the thousands heading for the centre from the Fantasia and Costa Magica giant cruise ships in port.

We continue our quest to find a single cafe where they serve anything resembling a reasonable cappuccino but all to no avail. The espressos are fine but when it comes to any type of coffee requiring even a tiny amount of milk they are all hopeless.

We return to the flat armed with rolls bought from our local sandwich bar for lunch at the flat before checking out.

We have all reached the stage when we can’t wait to get out of Dubrovnik. There is no denying the beauty of the city and its spectacular location but there is a sense of a Hollowood film set about it, with its rampant over-commercialisation and the exhorbitant prices. Give me Mostar any day.

We find a very chatty taxi driver to take us to the bus station where we get a close-up view of the two cruise ships. The size of Fantasia is  mind-boggling and as for the Costa Magica my only thought is that I wouldn’t go anywhere near an Italian ship with a ‘Costa’ in its name , given the events of a few months ago. Apparently these ships arrive very early in the morning and leave shortly after lunch so with close to 6000 passengers over the two ships it’s little wonder that Dubrovnik is bursting at the seams for much of the summer.

We set off for Korcula at 3.00 pm on our expected 31/2 hour journey in light showers which have unfortunately become the norm over recent days. The scenery all along the coast as we head north is superb, with some beautiful small bays, albeit with shingle beaches.

At Ston , the entry point to the Preljesac Peninsular, we drive close by the 3 km stone wall on the hillside which the taxi driver in Dubrovnik had described as second only to the Great Wall of China. That’s tantamount to comparing the bridge over Toby Inlet in Dunsborough to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

We duly arrive at Orebic, the departure point for the ferry across to Korcula , and after a half hour wait we make the 20 minute crossing under very grey skies.

Crossing to Korcula island via bus on ferry!

We are met in the main square of the town by the delightful owner of the Korunic Guest House and after viewing the rooms we decide to stay for an extra night .

Doorway to our rooms in the old town of Korcula. The boys are having lots of practice lifting our cases up several flights of stairs

On the recommendation of Mrs Korunic we dine at Adio Mare near to the cathedral and enjoy a very fine meal although we are somewhat surprised with the bill which exceeds even those charged in Tinseltown Dubrovnik.

On the way back to the guest house we come across a small group of girl choristers rehearsing in some cloisters near the cathedral and this beautiful sound provides a fitting end to another great day.

Cheers

The Obese Ferret.