Bit of a blog - Spirit of Adventure - Treasures of the Adriatic - Oct 2023

[JMMKUK]

11 minutes ago, Kohima said:

Saga used to boast that it had the best libraries at sea. Sadly no longer.

I’m not happy to use libraries at the moment. We were having a coffee in the library on day 2 or 3 and a women was going through several books between coughing fits, It was so bad we took the long route via the other staircase back to our cabin. 

[JMMKUK]

8 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Formal night. Had the best steak I've had in a very long time. Cooked to perfection. More like a fillet than a tenderloin but what do I know 🤷‍♀️😋😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

Think we chose the same for soup and mains.

I think fillet and tenderloin mean the same. There must be a subtle difference that isn’t clear to me.

Anyway we both thought it was fabulous. 
I loved the mushroom soup. 
I had key lime pie and OH has trifle. 
We were looking out for you. We were on the bench seats in the formal side of the grill. 

[NorbertsNiece]

51 minutes ago, JMMKUK said:

Think we chose the same for soup and mains.

I think fillet and tenderloin mean the same. There must be a subtle difference that isn’t clear to me.

Anyway we both thought it was fabulous. 
I loved the mushroom soup. 
I had key lime pie and OH has trifle. 
We were looking out for you. We were on the bench seats in the formal side of the grill. 

Oh! We were by the window lol. Currently catching up with the 'Elephant Man' talk on the TV. Beatles tomorrow!!

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 10 Dubrovnik

 

Good morning and thanks for following.

 

Dobro jutro i hvala na praćenju.

 

It's Wednesday. Still assembling thoughts in video!

 

 

 

 

 

The video should have gone in here! It's here instead!

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Berthed. View from balcony. Virgin's Resilient Lady entering port.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I've had a wonderful morning in Dubrovnik. Quite exhausted after an early start and wall climb. The old city is stunning, full of character and atmosphere. It was very packed with tourists by the time our tour bus picked us up for the return journey at 1230pm.

 

View from the bus. 14 in our group. I think 12 of us managed the walk up and round the south side of the wall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Guided very efficiently by Natasha and accompanied by ship photographer Stefan. This first load of pics is from our trip on the cable car.

 

Video riding up here

Video riding down here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

After descending the cable car we walk downhill to the Pile Gate entrance of the old town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Susan Calman has a lot to answer for. Her cruise programme visiting Dubrovnik and climbing the wall had really bothered me. It really shouldn't have. Yes, there are steep steps at the outset and in the heat the description of this being a strenuous excursion was accurate. Had we had more time I would definitely have walked the whole wall but time was short and I descended after walking the southern part.

 

The following pics show houses close to the wall. Kitchens are on the top floor to avoid burning down the whole building in the event of fire. Shared gardens. Shrapnel marks in walls. Quite a photo blast. More to follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

There are defense lookout points that look more like tiny prisons on the wall. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

This is where I leave the guide to do my own thing in the time left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

The Rector's Palace. 

 

The Old Pharmacy in Franciscan Monastery in Dubrovnik is one among the oldest pharmacies in Europe.

 

It was founded in 1317 as an in-house pharmacy for Franciscan friars which was later introduced to the public servicing the whole Town’s population and even beyond the town’s walls.

 

Photography in the Old Pharmacy not permitted. Check out some of the signatures on the country flags of visitors!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Walkabout on board. After a long nap on return! There's a cruise ship blocking the view of the bridge! The secret garden.

 

I've been watching the stream from the Playhouse whilst writing this up. Soooo good!! 🎵🎼

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Tomorrow we're in Split. Geoff is going on the included Panoramic excursion. I'm winging it. Plan to visit Diocletian's Palace, the stuffed frog museum and rub some dude's foot.... it's a statue ok! 😉

 

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Split, Croatia

 

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

 

Set on the Adriatic’s Dalmatian Coast, Split’s UNESCO-listed historical centre is formed around the vast Diocletian’s Palace, named after the Roman emperor who built it towards the end of the third century. Set against a backdrop of architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque, highlights include the ancient Temple of Jupiter, which became St John's Church, and the Archaeological Museum.

 

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PANORAMIC DALMATIA

– INCLUDED EXCURSION

Leaving the port, you drive first to a 

picturesque rest area overlooking Krka 

River. The rest area is situated on the left 

side of the river Krka where the bridge 

connects two banks, on the rocks from which a beautiful view is extended on the Lake Prokljan, magnificent bridge, the river Krka and especially on the town of Skradin. The area is situated in a horticultural environment where, among the fields of immortelle, lavender, rosemary and sage, a hundred years old olive trees stand out. Here you will have time for a comfort stop and to enjoy the view. Conclude your panoramic tour with scenic return drive to Split along the Adriatic road with magnificent views over Dalmatian Coast, passing by the town of Sibenik and making panoramic stop in Primosten before returning to the port.

 

Please note: This is a coach-based excursion with the majority of the sightseeing taking place from your vehicle. Any walking at any 

short photo stops will be at your discretion.

Edited October 18, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I took this pic from the wall but wanted to research it before posting. 

 

This is Fort Lovrijenac, a medieval fortress which some will recognise from 'Game of Thrones' as the Red Keep in King's Landing.

 

Chronologists date the fort to 1018 or 1038. However first records of the fort's existence are from 1301 when the council voted on the Commander of the Fort.

According to legend in the 11th century Venice planned to entrench its troops at this rock in front of Dubrovnik and build a fortress in order to conquer the City. However Dubrovnik learned of this plan and the citizens were mobilized to build a fortress at the very spot before arrival of the Venetians. They were successful with the building project and as the Venetians came with ships carrying troops and supplies, much to their surprise, they realized their plan had failed.

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 11 Split

 

Good morning and thanks for following! 

 

Bit blowy out this morning and cooler. I've done some research on where I want to go so let's see if I can actually achieve it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 19, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[Banjo an]

Great photos Norbert’s Niece. What was the Beatles Experience like?

[Vivaldi]

Greatly enjoying your blog, for which many thanks.

Two questions if I may:

You seem to have dinner more in the Grill than the main dining room - what advantages (if any) does the former have for you?

You haven't mentioned Afternoon Tea. Is this because there is no GF version available?

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[NorbertsNiece]

Was very windy when I disembarked this morning. Sea spray high but I was to get wetter later! Found my way to and into Diocletian's Palace which was built between 295 and 305 CE at Split (Spalato), Croatia, by the emperor Diocletian as his place of retirement (he renounced the imperial crown in 305 and then lived at Split until his death in 316). The palace constitutes the main part of a UNESCO World Heritage site that was designated in 1979. It is the largest and best-preserved example of Roman palatial architecture, representing a transitional style half Greek and half Byzantine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Just announced. Due to the high winds in the next 24 hours and with consultation with HQ, Split and Dubrovnik authorities it has been decided that it would not be safe to proceed to Rovinj tomorrow as it's a tender port and getting us ashore would be a feat in itself!

 

All excursion payments will be refunded to our onboard accounts.

Edited October 19, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

3 hours ago, Banjo an said:

Great photos Norbert’s Niece. What was the Beatles Experience like?

 

The Fab four were fab!! Sound and harmonies pretty spot on. Humourous exchanges between them, and the audience, spot on. This was early Beatles, the next show will feature a later repertoire. 

2 hours ago, Vivaldi said:

Greatly enjoying your blog, for which many thanks.

Two questions if I may:

You seem to have dinner more in the Grill than the main dining room - what advantages (if any) does the former have for you?

You haven't mentioned Afternoon Tea. Is this because there is no GF version available?

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

 

I find the accoustics in the MDR difficult as I wear aids in both ears. We both prefer the ambiance in the Grill.

 

We're simply not hungry for afternoon tea! We indulged once on our previous cruise and it was lovely. I may have lapsed in my GF diet back then but there is no way I can these days sadly 😭

[NorbertsNiece]

Find out more about the Sphinx here.

 

The palace was built as an imperial city-palace and a sea fortress, as well as a country house of vast proportions and magnificence, covering an area of 7 acres (3 hectares). The north-south walls extended 705 feet (215 metres), with walls measuring 7 feet (2 metres) thick and 72 feet (22 metres) high on the Adriatic side and 60 feet (18 metres) high on the north. There were 16 towers (of which 3 remain) and 4 gates: Porta Aurea (Golden Gate) in the north, Porta Argentea (Silver Gate) in the east, Porta Ferrea (Iron Gate) in the west, and Porta Aenea (Bronze Gate) in the south. The roughly rectangular ground plan was like that of a Roman military camp—i.e., with four arcaded avenues 36 feet (11 metres) wide meeting in the middle. Guards, slaves, and household servants were accommodated in the northern quadrants. The imperial apartments (state rooms) were in the two southern quadrants, along the width of which ran a 524-foot-long and 24-foot-wide arcaded grand gallery (probably for promenades and the display of art) that was open to scenic views of the sea and the Dalmatian coast. The Temple of Jupiter and the mausoleum of Diocletian were located in courts of the imperial section. The mausoleum was converted to a cathedral in 653 by the first bishop of Split; it is noteworthy for its fine frescoes, marble pulpit, and Romanesque carvings. The Temple of Jupiter was subsequently transformed into a baptistery, to which a beautiful Romanesque campanile was added in the 14th and 15th centuries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 19, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[Where-Theres-A-Will]

39 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Just announced. Due to the high winds in the next 24 hours and with consultation with HQ, Split and Dubrovnik authorities it has been decided that it would not be safe to proceed to Rovinj tomorrow as it's a tender port and getting us ashore would be a feat in itself!

 

All excursion payments will be refunded to our onboard accounts.

How does a refund to onboard account work? Is it transferable to a future cruise for excursions? TIA

[Denarius]

54 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Just announced. Due to the high winds in the next 24 hours and with consultation with HQ, Split and Dubrovnik authorities it has been decided that it would not be safe to proceed to Rovinj tomorrow as it's a tender port and getting us ashore would be a feat in itself!

 

All excursion payments will be refunded to our onboard accounts.

What are you doing instead? Are you staying in Split overnight? If so, you will find that the place has a different feeling in the evening after the day trippers (and cruise passengers) leave. The seafront promenade and old town are awash with local people strolling, eating and drinking. There are street entertainers etc and almost a carnival atmoshere. Highly recommended.

[nosapphire]

45 minutes ago, Where-Theres-A-Will said:

How does a refund to onboard account work? Is it transferable to a future cruise for excursions? TIA

Spend it on board, or take it home with you. Any credit balance remaining on the on-board ac is put back on whatever card you registered on board.

(You can tell that there are a LOT of people following this brilliant blog - for which I thank NorbertsNiece).