Our day started early. Our group meeting time was 8am which meant we needed to be there at 7:45am. This is the tour we are hosting so we had to do a lot of coordinating with collecting forms and making sure everyone was here. Our group of 54 was split in two and we each had our own guide. Brian and I split as well so one of us was with each group.
We started with a walking tour of Dubrovnik. Our guides met us where we disembarked the tender boat in Old Town. One of the benefits of sailing on a small ship is that we can tender into the heart of old town. Most ships that come here dock on the other side of the city and are shuttled into it or have a decent walk.
Old Town is really interesting. Our guide talked pretty much nonstop about Croatian history and I retained 1%. He talked about how one of the buildings in Croatia was where wealthier women became nuns. This was an option for women who either didn’t want to get married or whose family didn’t want to pay the large dowry to be married. There was another option to work. The agreement was that you work for 10 years and then essential you earn your way to freedom. Pregnancy within these ten years wasn’t allowed so if you did get pregnant, there was a place to drop-off the babies. If you were coming back for the baby, then you had to tie a string around its finger. The baby wouldn’t be adopted until they turn 7. If you didn’t tie a string, then wealthier families could adopt although adopting was illegal. A woman would go on a long 10-month trip and come back with a baby to get around the rule. This happened a lot with noble families which was especially scandalous because noble families were supposed to be pure blood nobles.
We walked across the drawbridge and left Old Town. The other side of the gate felt different with traffic and it felt more like a regular city. Our motor coach picked us up and then we were off to the winery. This family-owned winery has a concrete non-welcoming exterior, but the interior was lovely. Tables were setup with plates of meat, cheese, and bread. There were also of course wine glasses. It was a nice break from all the walking.
We finished the tour in a quaint coastal town called Cavtat. We had a mini-history lesson before exploration. We learned that some father’s would give daughters a sock filled with a gold ball. This was their dowry or money to start their life. It then became a tradition to put oranges in socks and they were given on St. Nick’s Day. After our history lesson, we had some free time. This town has a collection of mega-yachts on its water and we walked along the water’s edge admiring them. We then bought some gelato from a local vendor. I was happy to see lavender as a flavor!
Our tour finished back in old town and we took the tender back to the ship. We stopped for lunch at the little cafe near the pool and then back out to explore.
Dubrovnik’s Old Town is surrounded by a giant wall and for 35€ you can walk the 1.8km loop. We climb several steps then buy our tickets. Our ticket is scanned and then we’ve unlocked beautiful views around us. I’m ready for our leisurely walk with 1.8km of panoramic views. We reach some more stairs and climb. Then more stairs then climb again. Oh look a turret! That excitement fades when I see yet another narrow and steep set of steps which leads to another set of steps. The walls protected Dubrovnik from invaders, but what I didn’t realize is that they served a dual purpose. Protection and soldier boot camp training grounds. I have no idea if they were designed for this or if soldiers trained here, but good grief there are a lot of steps. The steps did become easier because the last part of our loop was downhill.
Azamara is known for their lengthy stays at port, and today we don’t leave until 10pm. We’ve completed a long tour, returned to the ship, hiked a wall, and we still have a lot of time. It’s nice! We decide to walk to the beach outside the old town walls. We’re both in normal street clothes with tennis shoes. Brian doesn’t let that stop him from going for a swim. I take my shoes off and dip my legs in. The water feels so refreshing. It’s crystal clear water sitting on top of seemingly smoothed stones. If my feet were writing the story, these stones would be described as a sea of tiny little daggers with an affinity to the tender spots of your feet. Furthermore, every step is like stomping on a “sandcastle” with your feet falling a seemingly far distance. It felt like karma for stomping on a kid’s castle except there was no sand or sandcastle. I fell a few times trying to get into the water and then again getting out. This probably is a good beach for people watching.
We watched the sunset as we walked back to old town. We still had plenty of time to explore, but decided it was time to return to the ship.
We meandered to dinner after getting ready. On the way, we ran into a crew member and he asked us why weren’t joining the party. I mistakingly said, “what party?” The look of horror washed over his face and when he regained composure he asked. “Didn’t you see it in your insert actual name of little daily newspaper?” I responded, “no, I didn’t read it today.” The Indian accent grew strong, the head bobble more pronounced, “ma’am that has very important information in it. You need to read it every day and carry it with you at all times. In addition to learning about our amazing nighttime programs…we’ve brought local entertainment on the ship tonight…it also has important numbers on it.” He continues, pointing out that it has emergency numbers to call if we were ever to be left at port. He thinks we’re going to miss the ship one of these days which is a fair assessment considering I find myself asking someone daily. What time do we have to be back onboard?
We go to the nearly empty dining room for dinner and run into another couple we have met. They have a short wait for a table of four, but a long wait for a table of two so we sit together. We have looks of confusion as we stare at an empty room, and the hostess explains that almost all of the staff is at the party. Ahh right that party.
My luggage is here, but I forgot my swimsuit on my dresser back home. Luckily, the ship has a little shop and some cute swimsuits! Even better, they are on sale. It’s been a great day.
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