Dubrovnik

Old Port and town walls

Many red and white checked shirts could be seen around this beautiful city on the Adriatic, since it was the very day that Croatia dashed England’s hopes of winning the Soccer World Cup in 2018.  The town was also crowded with tourists, most of whom could not care less about the soccer.

Beach at Dubrovnik

In fact, as John said, what were so many Italian, English and American ankle biters and sullen teenagers following their parents around doing, spoiling our view?  We have certainly landed in Europe at a popular time, with schools and universities closed for two-three months for the summer holidays.

Within the walls

Dubrovnik was beautiful, nevertheless and easy for John to get around the old walled town.  Although there were many steps, there were also easily graded and smooth alternative routes.

The only downside is that Sea Princess avoids informing passengers about cheap and accessible public transport, preferring to direct passengers to their own inflated and non-accessible tours. In place of the non-accessible and $20 shuttle buses, the ship arranged an access mini-bus for us and one other passenger.  However, only one wheelchair user could be carried at a time.  We later found out from friends that the public buses which stop at the port were all wheelchair accessible.

Town square

A leisurely coffee

The obligatory icecream

Loophole

Garden within walls

Drawbridge

City gate

Part of our difficulties re this cruise is of our own making.  With John being in hospital twice this year and between times having so many medical tests and follow up appointments, he had no time for the travel research he normally does.  And it’s impossible as we are cruising due to the nature of the internet experience – expensive and much slower than at home.

Medieval towns of Budva and Kotor, Montenegro

Sea Princess in the Adriatic inlet of Kotor, Montenegro

Montenegro, to the south of the Balkan countries has a population of only 200,000 so it was no surprise to find it was a tender port. 

Sea Princess tender

Tender

In fact, we found three cruise ships in this beautiful port, meaning at least 8,000 people would be descending on Kotor for the day.

Moat at Kotor

Of course, John could not disembark so that was one less person in town.  This was unfortunate since in my opinion it was a better experience even than Corfu.  I had booked a Princess coach tour to Budva, an ancient walled town and beach area about 30 minutes away on the other side of the peninsula followed by a tour of the old walled town of Kotor.  Being very prone to earthquakes, both towns had been extensively restored brick by brick.  Laneways were very narrow as you can see below.

Montenegro was fortunate that the Balkan war was not fought on its territory, although it only gained independence from Yugoslavia which ruled it for most of the 20^th century in 2006.

Church at Kotor

Kotor and other towns are currently undergoing extensive development.  Our guide told us that the vast majority of flights are to Russia so it is probable that many Russians are investing in this lovely region.

Here are some photos of Budva. 

We sailed away at 5:30 pm on a magic summery night, passing two small islands, one of which consisted simply of a church.

  There were many people on the coastal roads around Kotor watching the Sea Princess pass by.  Our ship was probably the smallest of the three ships in town yesterday.

Corfu, Greece

A lovely place, Corfu.  However, although I later found it to have plenty of wheelchair access - the Hop-on,Hop-off bus and the ordinary public buses - Princess Tours knew none of this.  There is only one accessible taxi and it was already booked.  Not that the taxi company answers its phone or its emails.

Not that John could disembark!  The ramps were too short and his wheels just skidded.  I got off.  And that's when I discovered the buses.  So very disappointing for John.  And depressing.

Here are some photos taken around the suburbs and old Corfu town.  The island is a gardener's paradise.  Very lush.

Argostoli, Cephalonia (Greece)

Sea Princess at Argostoli

The other day, we were informed that we wouldn’t be docking at Argostoli but anchoring instead.  This was disappointing, meaning John would be unable to disembark.  We were due in about midday.  

However, at the last moment, a cruise ship given priority over us found the weather too windy to dock, and sailed away.  Meanwhile, permission was given for Sea Princess to dock, the wind having dropped somewhat.

Argostoli

I had booked a tour to the other side of the island of Cephalonia, but John could now disembark.  Our friends Gene and Nancy had already been out, come back for lunch and invited John to go out with them, so he had a good afternoon exploring after all.

Drogarati cave

My tour went to Drogarati cave, to Sami (a pretty town on the other side of the island), to Mellisani Lake where we toured an open underground lake and to a lookout above a famous beach called Myrkos.  The coach was not able to descend to the beach itself due to the very steep hillside.  Here are some photos of the day.

Fridge magnets

Margaret at Sami

At Sami

Mellisani Lake - underground

Mellisani Lake