Best of the Adriatic
September 2014
Dubrovnik
Friday, September 19th
72°F
Friday, September 19th
72°F
Dubrovnik deserves the nickname: Pearl of the Adriatic.
This is a walled town. Pedestrians only within the walls. And it's packed with tourists.
The town was attacked from the hills during the 1995 war. Red shows buildings that were totally burned. The round dots mark every place a shell hit. The triangles are where shells fell on roofs. Most of the damage has been repaired.
Our guide was 12 during the war and said it was terrifying. They worried the enemy would cut off their water supply. He said they had no way to defend themselves. (I wonder if the US gun control advocates read history.)
Our guide was 12 during the war and said it was terrifying. They worried the enemy would cut off their water supply. He said they had no way to defend themselves. (I wonder if the US gun control advocates read history.)
A popular activity is to walk the town wall.
990 steps, 1.3 miles
990 steps, 1.3 miles
This is the last day of our tour but not our last day in Europe. Stay tuned for our spontaneous trip to Nice.
France
Sept. 20th - Oct 5th
Sept. 20th - Oct 5th
Thanks to an Air France pilot strike our stay in Europe was extended for 13 nights. We chose to spend that time on the French Riviera. We rented a flat in Nice one block away from the Mediterranean Sea.
On the last day of our tour we got notified that Air France pilots were striking
On the last day of our tour we got notified that Air France pilots were striking
Nice is nice.
Ventimiglia, Italy
Biggest flea market
Biggest flea market
Monaco is just amazing. The plethora of fancy yachts is incredible. The best part...I got to walk most of the Monaco Grand Prix race course.
Monaco has two beautiful harbors.
For a change, we took a bus to Saint Paul de Vence. Along the way we stopped at the private Foundation Maeght museum.
Barbara makes a new friend. (And there's no port nearby)
Barbara makes a new friend. (And there's no port nearby)
Yes, that's water coming out his ass.
This is a high class art folks.
This is a high class art folks.
Saint de Paul de Vence is like a post card. But, the secret is it's like an overrun and over-restored artist-shopping-mall. We stayed long enough to have lunch.
Villefranche-sur-Mer is this small town just East of Nice with a great beach. It's deep harbor was home to the US 6th Fleet after WWII until 1966, when French President Charles DeGaullehe kicked them out. It must have been super duty for sailors to be stuck between Nice and Monaco.
Next day we explored Saint Jean Cap Ferrat which is the next town East of Villefranche-sur-Mer. This photo is from the garden of the Rothschild's winter villa.
Barbara couldn't find a friend in this port so she hooked up with some musicians.
In case you didn't recognize it, that's Paul Allen's yacht anchored in the bay. A mere $200M when purchased in 2003. It's the worlds 15th largest yacht (413 feet) and 5th largest privately owned yacht.
It carries two helicopters in the hangar and a 10 person submarine. Only cost $800,000 to fill her up.
In case you didn't recognize it, that's Paul Allen's yacht anchored in the bay. A mere $200M when purchased in 2003. It's the worlds 15th largest yacht (413 feet) and 5th largest privately owned yacht.
It carries two helicopters in the hangar and a 10 person submarine. Only cost $800,000 to fill her up.
This villa belonged to Baroness Beatrice Rothschild. Paid for with her daddy's money.