I got up early and went to the port area near the Pile Gate to meet up with Emma who I met on the city walls on Tuesday. We checked in with the kayaking company (Adventure Dubrovnik/Fenix). We were given secure container for our bags and personal items, a life jacket, waterbottoes and finally an oar. We went through a brief how-to use the oars and understand the right of ways in the water ("The boaters don't care if you're in their path. You're in their path, you move!")
Don't worry Dad, I came prepared. I put my cochlear implant in a glasses case and that into the waterproof container given to us. Whenever I went into the water, I also put my hearing aids in it. So you'll be happy to know they're both safe! :)
We launched off on a double kayak boat and I was already feeling the burn in my arms not even 15 minutes in. Emma and I were the slowest kayaker but luckily we managed to keep up not too far away. We kayaked by Lokrum Island and all the kayakers gathered together by holding each others' boats while listening to our tour guide (also on a kayak). He gave a brief history of the island and its importance to the city of Dubrovnik. We moved on and kept kayaking towards a large cavern. We were kayaking probably close to two hours at this point, so pulling our kayaks into the cavern was a great relief for break. This made the whole kayak trip worth it.
It was a bit rocky than I anticipated and I realized how much better it would be if I had water shoes like a lot of people. I would regret not having some for adventures I will touch on later. I also noticed so many people had goPro and thought it was silly ... until some had hooked it up to their chest prior to kayak launch and some going into the water at the cave to film -- such a good idea. I wasn't able to take a lot of pictures since I didn't want to get my phone or camera wet. But anyway, it was wonderful - we got some basic lunch packed for us and we could do whatever we wanted to do for an hour. The water was not too warm but not too cold either, it was crystal clear and we got to snorkel a little as well! There were surprisingly so many different fish!
After our break, we got back onto our kayaks and rowed back towards the port. It felt much lomger because my arms were on fire much quicker this time. We arrived at the port by 1:30pm making it 4 hours we were out there! It was crazy, tiring, wonderful and worth it all at the same time. Emma was going to see the main port and it was on my bucket list too so we went together.
We ended up bumping into Emma's travel friend, Elliot from Australia. While it was unexpected they actually were going to travel to another destination together the next day. We all went to the port together and went to the beaching area, though its more rocks than an actual beach. I dove into the water for a bit again because it's not everyday I could swim in the Adriatic Sea!
you guys have no idea how many men wears speedos here. shout out to the old man in his 60s in a speedo laying eagle-spread on a loose rock in the water (not pictured)
After a while, Emma and Elliot departed to go back to their hostels and I was on my own again. I stayed at the beach area for a little longer to take in the views (aka recover from kayaking by laying and not moving). I headed back to my hostel for an afternoon shower and headed back out, not wanting to waste my day.
I went to the other side of the Old Port area I hardly explored. This area had steep stairs with many levels and different shops in the stairways and on the levels. I found where I went to the seafood place on Tuesday so I was already connecting the city map in my head!
I grabbed a quick dinner, can't remember much to note there and went back to my hostel where I kept relaxing. so chatted with Jeff my hostel roommate when he returned from his day trip looking very toasted. We spoke about grabbing a beer but I suspect he was too tired from his trip and he crashed for the rest of the evening, haha. Thursday morning he was gone, probably back home to Florida. Hopefully he makes it out okay.
Thursday morning I woke up early without a plan. Ate some cereal provided by the hostel and was researching things to do for the next two days. I was feeling a bit antsy and had itchy feet. Old Port didn't give me a lot of opportunities to travel to the main area of the city since it was quite a ways away but I didn't try very hard either so that's on me. I went to the eastern part of the Old Port where the steep stairs were and got some iced coffee that was 90% foam! It was great though.
I came back to the hostel after and kept doing some research for my Friday museum day. Once satisfied, I figured I would do one more outdoor activity before the weather turns grey. A while back when I was window shopping and went to J.Crew, just after I planned this trip, a lady got very excited that I was going to Dubrovnik and gave me suggestions. One of them was to go to Sveti Jakov (St. Jacob) beach. I decided to go there! I packed my backpack and took a walk. With me stopping now and then to take photos, it took me 45 minutes or so from Old Port to get there by walking.
Sooooo worth the trip. Not many people at all and there were public bathrooms, a restaraunt and beach chairs for 50 kuna. Though it was here that I was also wishing I had sea shoes for the rocky shores, but I persevered. I spent some time reading my book (Anathem by Neal Stephenson), swimming in the crystal clear water and napping.
I highly recommend Sveti Jakov!
I stayed for about 4 hours until the clouds came rolling in. I thought that the rain that wasn't supposed to start that evening was going to arrive earlier, so I headed back to the Old Port once again, this time much quicker!
I showered, sat around for a bit to recover from beach exhaustion before heading black out for dinner. I did some exploring until I was hungry. I went to a restaurant that was tucked in the stairs on the eastern side and got to try čevapčići (I'm stoked I can spell that without checking it, but pronouncing it is another story. The water told me three times, and even sang it for me!) Unfortunately I did not realize it was cash only so I'm down to 15 kunas at this point. I needed to get some more cash the next morning to make sure I had enough for a taxi to the airport.
Friday post coming up next :)
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