21.8.15
A little cat with a very poorly eye that came to say hello on day one came to say goodbye as we packed.
Sweet little thing, seems to have lost all sight in it but not in pain, purring happily and managing perfectly well with the other one.
Our apartment lady drove us to the ferry port as promised and I managed to get her to take a bit of petrol money. Such a sweet lady and I wish I could have chatted with her.
The Dubrovnik catamaran can leave from 1 of 2 places, I assume depending on the weather but no way of knowing til on the day.
We had spotted the Krilo ticket box when in the old town and John popped into the tourist info office nearby and they rang and confirmed it would be from there.
Chatted with a couple in the queue. They had spent 4 days in Dubrovnik and said we will absolutely love it.
So relieved and feeling excited again.
I told them what the lady from Chicago said about it being small and the guy said it probably is compared to Chicago!
Boarded the catamaran, it was packed and couldn’t get a seat together.
Lots of people asleep so they must have had a very early start.
It seems to start in Split, to Hvar and then to Korcula.
Lovely crossing, a little cloudy, and arrived in Dubrovnik just before 1pm, later than planned as we set off late.
Caught up on second part of Great British Bake Off on the way.
Oriana and another huge cruise ship were in the port next to us.
Got a taxi and have just arrived at the Adriatic Rooms.
The entrance reminded me of a caravan park clubhouse circa 1970.
No lift.
The corridors are grim and the room is grimmer.
Just waiting for them to come and have a look as bathroom floor is wet with 2 sopping wet towels in the corner where there is obviously a leak.
Would make a nice dog blanket
No one turned up so we went back to reception.
We’re not happy as we originally booked the Adriatica Hotel with Alpha Rooms.
However our booking came back from booking.com saying Adriatic Rooms.
As the address was the same we didn’t query it, but it appears they’ve stuck us in an ‘annexe’ a few metres along the road.
We told them and the reception guy basically accused us of lying.
I asked about WiFi code and said the one given doesn’t work.
Was told there was nothing wrong with it.
Put my phone on the desk and asked him to do it as I couldn’t get it to work and he refused.
Gave us a key to a different room and
started helping someone else.
So rude !!!
Anyway, we’ve moved rooms and tried to Skype booking.com but of course no success as internet just doesn’t work.
Spoke to group of lads, all with same problem.
Caught the number 4 bus into the old town determined not to let this ruin what should be the best part of the trip, but it has definitely put a downer on things.
Anyway….The Old Town is amazing.
Walked around a small part and really need to go back with a city plan as many buildings not labeled.
We were warned its expensive, meals weren’t a lot different but drinks and coffee are literally double.
We stopped at a bar with a happy hour and used their WiFi to call booking.com
They confirmed our original booking for the hotel but the email was for the rooms but understood it was confusing and misleading.
She said she would speak to the hotel and see if they would waive the cancellation fee and get back to me, which of course she hasn’t.
By this time there was thunder, lightening and rain so not a lot we could do to find somewhere else even if they do waive it do looks like we’re stuck.
Caught the bus back and not long til dinner.
We’re half board as it was a ‘special’ deal.
Went with trepidation but actually it wasn’t too bad.
Not the greatest atmosphere but food was OK, apart from when John had to remove a mouthful of fish into a napkin.
Must have been bad, he’s the least fussy eater I know!
Beautiful sunset over the sea and saw the cruise ship Oriana leaving.
Went for a stroll and found a nice promenade area and a small shopping centre where I managed to get a new phone charger cable.
Saw a broken down car at the traffic lights, my kind superhero husband helped push it away from everyone bibbing.
We’re currently in a small bar not far from the ‘hotel’ with super fast broadband and normal priced drinks.
Have downloaded some programmes to watch in our gorgeous room later.
Praying for good weather tomorrow as we really want to go around the city walls.
Apparently we need to go early before the cruise ships arrive in the afternoon.
Supposed to be the worlds best and a UNESCO heritage site.
There’s also a mountain cable car that looks like fun.
So excited!
Observations
So crowded and noisy after the tranquility of the islands
Lots of English speaking tourists, we’ve been such a minority til now
Yellow and blue don’t go together and should never be used as such in a ‘hotel’ room
Balkanic Adventures 