Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is called the "Pearl of the Adriatic" for good reason. Looking out our apartment windows at the white marble city walls, against the clear azure waters of the sea, it seemed like a Hollywood set for a pleasant fairy tale or pirate movie. We marveled at the contrast between the present beauty and the damage of the war, that scarred the architecture and the hearts of the Croats we met.

One man told us of his experience during the eight month siege without electricity or water. At one point the women and children were allowed to leave and his family went to America. He fought in the Croat army and did not see them again for 2 and a half years. Now that peace has returned, the Croats seem happy with their lives and their country. Many people we talked to will vote against EU membership because they don't see how it will benefit them. The referendum is 2008 so we shall see.

Here we vacationed from our travels for a week. What fun to cook our own meals, do laundry (a task well overdue), check emails in our apartment and watch DVD's. We got a lot of exercise, walking around town, sightseeing, swimming and climbing the many stairs in this terraced city. Often we conducted gelato taste tests in the evenings.

During a day trip to the island of Mljet, we met an engaging family from Seattle. We passed a memorable day together exploring this national forest and swimming in the saltwater lakes. The girls thoroughly enjoyed having other young people to play with. We met again for gelato that night and hope our paths will cross again.

Now we make a sprint to the finish line, visiting Zagreb, Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich and Frankfurt in the next ten days.

Enjoy more photos of Dubrovnik!