The Road Onwards to Dubrovnik and Montenegro

From Korčula, we arose bright and early to catch a bus to Dubrovnik. Despite the endless bends around cliffs, we eventually arrived in one piece but alas could not find our pick up person from the hostel. We decided to walk instead and arrived at our digs sometime later – part of a 500 year old castle. Forget hostel, this place was a 5 star hotel! It was beautifully furnished; I felt like we were staying at a long lost rich relative’s house.


Dubrovnik We loved our time in Dubrovnik – climbing the city walls was a highlight, the views were spectacular. Nikki and I also purchased identical photos – if you saw them you would understand why. We laid on the beach at Lapad Peninsular for hours, found a normal lunch – smoothies and paninis - DELISH! We also wandered the streets of the old town, sat down by the harbour, explored an old church, shopped and drank more smoothies. It was a wonderful couple of days until.... the mosquito attack!


Some would say it was karma that I got bitten but if that’s the case it would only had been fair if Nikki got attacked too. We were wandering home from the old time and in the distance we could see a pool that was stunning and overlooking the ocean. I decided I wanted to swim in it. Lydia opted to head home, I dragged Nikki along. We realise it is a five star hotel so we concoct our back story – sisters here with our parents and head inside. Unfortunately we get lost and can’t figure out the lifts but eventually – SUCCESS. We spent the afternoon basking in the sun by a pool, ocean views and somewhat superior to the hostels we had become accustomed to. Being there on sunset triggered the said attack of mosquitoes and I spent the remainder of the trip looking extremely diseased.


Montenegro
We spent our final full day on a trip to Montenegro. Our tour guide took a liking to us three young girls (particularly Nikki) and spent the entire day playing favourites (the poor other 3 in our tour group - Jo from South Korea was busted at the border for taking photos and the honeymooners were told the terrors of marriage). Montenegro has a great deal of natural beauty, despite being economically weak and we had such a great day. First we winded around the fjord and saw some recently discovered ruins with incredible mosaics and the man made islands created for two churches. We then ventured further to Kotor where we were taken around the old town and had a shot of grappa – a very strong alcoholic digestive that was intended to prepare us for lunch (FYI - Lydia and Nikki failed to down theirs). It had gorgeous cobblestone streets and a wall around the city that scaled the surrounding mountains. I can’t even imagine how they got that wall built! We continued on to Budva for a traditional lunch (rolled pork with goat's cheese and dalmatian ham)where we explored and laid on the beach. All in all – fantastic – and the tour guide’s stories lasted the entire day...


Our Final Day – Lokrum and Home
Miss Nikki made an epic fail (a rarity you would realise soon after the pleasure of meeting her) and she booked her flight in the morning rather than the agreed upon evening. This meant Lydia and I had the day to ourselves so we went back to the old town and jumped on a boat to the island of Lokrum. We found a peacock (Lydia was set on finding one), climbed up to the fort, was completely startled by the presence of eucalyptus trees and bottlebrush amongst cactus (apparently they were going for something exotic) which made me feel strangely at home and we raced back to make our way to the plane. We couldn’t believe it but our arranged pick up NEVER HAPPENED so we stressfully found a cab but made it easily. Back to Vienna but not for long. I wish this holiday didn't end!