Day 47. From one Stari Grad to another.

We pick up the story travelling down the beautiful Dalmatian coast from one beautiful Stari Grad (literally 'Old city'), Zadar, to another, Dubrovnik. It's a  lovely sunny day and the dramatic coast road runs right by the sparkling sea, giving me a spectacular view of the many islands that lie just offshore - a sailor's paradise!

 It's a perfect day for cycling but, alas, I'm on a coach with my bike precariously tucked away in the bowels of the bus where I hope it's happy and safe. 

I'm en route to Dubrovnik and thence, through a bit of Montenegro, to Bar from where I will do a bit of ferry hopping. The main reason I'm taking this rather circuitous route is that I don't fancy Albania this late in the season: no hostels, no language, no airbnb, maybe no campsites...So there's an element of being sensible and an element of wimping out here. 

In the middle of a busy tourist city is a plaque showing, "Historical nucleus plan of the city of Zadar with marked damages made by the Serbian, Montenegrian and Yugoslav army aggression of Zadar escalated by the rebellious Serbian population in Croatia in Zadar from 1991 to 1995." Happy shopping!

[Later]

God knows how I found Zoltan's place! First I had to cycle up a completely unlit hill leading out of the city, then switch on the phone, ring him (no answer), guess where the apartment might be (there were loads of apartments in the general area) and start walking up steps, carrying the bike. Had a bit of a guide from a passer by then, as I walked up, a door entry buzzer buzzed! Found myself in a courtyard and was directed up some steps to - hurrah! - the right place. 

But Zoltan was clearly not expecting me. He was covered in paint and very surprised to see me. However, after a bit of to and fro, we decided that I had booked for the following night but that, fortunately, the room was free! I'm a rubbish organiser...

The route out of Dubrovnik.  Pretty...steep.