Susan's NGTAW Blog: July 2022

Klapa singers - "A Group of Friends" in A Cappella Harmony

Croatian a cappella singing tradition - klapa music

Wednesday, July 6 - Trip Day 7

We returned to Dubrovnik around 5 PM for a concert by a group of klapa singers. Klapa music is form of a cappella singing originating from Dalmatia, Croatia. The word klapa means "a group of friends." The groups generally have from 4 to a dozen singers, with tenors, baritones and bass. The concert was in an outdoor theater, near the Dominican church.

Heading back down the Stradun - can you feel that sun's heat reflecting off the stone?

Evening lounging on the steps of the Cathedral

Six membered klapa singing group

This performance and these songs brought me to tears. They reminded me of my own grandpap with his Polish/Slavic origins. He played guitar, accordion and mouth harp and was an amazing musician. These vocal harmonies are so powerfully moving.

Our final goodbye to Dubrovnik - the old port and Mount Srd in the background

Michael and I had dinner inside again tonight, rather than out on the lido deck. A great Caprese salad; roasted chicken for me, grilled salmon for Michael; and yoghurt lime savarin tart with berry sorbet for desert. We were treated to a beautiful orange-red sunset at the end of our meal, and the waxing moon and stars soon followed. We departed close to midnight, escorted out of the port area by the pilot boat - on our way to Montenegro tomorrow.

Caprese salad with pesto for tonight's dinner first course

Local Croatian red wine - very nice

Berry sorbet and lime yoghurt tart

"Red sky at night, sailor's delight"

Hello to the moon!

Time to turn the night lights on

The Dubrovnik port's pilot boat, sending us on our way:

High Tea on the High Seas

High tea this afternoon on the promenade deck

Wednesday, July 6 - Trip Day 7

We returned to the Sea Cloud by noon, after our morning walk about in Dubrovnik. We will return to the city again later in the day for a musical performance. But it's great to be out of the heat and the midday sun. It's always cooler on the ship with the sea breezes. And we can duck in our room with AC for a quick, refreshing shower.

I had skipped lunch today, because our daily ship itinerary last night had listed afternoon tea. You know, I had somehow imagined it would be like high tea at the Drake or the Palmer House. Well, it turns out, not quite - more like an English tea break - and serve yourself if interested.

So I did - I made a nice pot of orange rooibus tea and had salmon rolls and Caprese bruschetta and white bread cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches. The little dry cake pieces were pretty sad, so I passed on them, knowing that tonight's desert would be much better.

Our Nat Geo expert, Bill, joining me in checking out the afternoon tea

Salmon roll ups

Cucumber and cream cheese crustless sandwiches

Caprese and pesto bruschetta

I enjoyed a refreshing afternoon shower, but Michael took another swim in the Adriatic. The captain again secured permission from the port authorities to set up for swimming. The current here was pretty strong, so they set up a tighter perimeter for the swimmers with the two Zodiacs standing guard and ready if needed. Looked like lots of fun.

Another opportunity for sea swimming

Michael's in!

Time for relaxation on the deck

"Dux Dalmatiae and the Narentine Pirates"

Today's lecture by Nat Geo expert, archeologist Bill Saturno

Looking to the mountains of Montenegro, our destination tomorrow

Happy times

Heading back to Dubrovnik on the tender, with glimpses of the Sea Cloud

Pharmicies, Markets and Game of Thrones - Dubrovnik Surprises

Farm produce and fruit for sale at Dubrovnik's market

Wednesday, July 6 - Trip Day 7

Having completed our tour of the medieval walls with Ivana, we had one last stop on our city tour: the Franciscan Monastery and its associated centuries-old pharmacy. St. Francis is reported to have visited Ragusa twice. The foundations of the monastery date to the 13th century.

The Franciscan Monastery at the west end of the Stradun

The cloister, with its 60 delicate double columns

The Franciscan complex houses a museum, library and pharmacy

Historical artifacts from the pharmacy, which has been operating since 1317, one of Europe's oldest

It was good that our official tour was completed, because it was getting hot and Michael was ready to bolt. He left to go find a beach to swim and kayak. On my own, I had a few more sites to visit.

I had spied an eastern orthodox church during our wanderings, along with an icon museum. We had also passed a lively al fresco market that deserved a look. And perhaps I would find a few places for souvenirs. I just couldn't pass up all those Game of Thrones gift shops!

Built during the Austria-Hungarian times, the orthodox Church of the Holy Assumption

Beautiful iconostasis inside

The pastel colors in the orthodox church were serene and soothing

Bought a few (non-tacky) items at the GOT gift shop - cards and a book

Today's market, at Gundulic's Square, was bustling. I missed the pigeon invasion - apparently hundreds of them gather every day at the sound of the noon time bells, as they are regularly fed by two men, Ivo and Hussein, at that time.

I wandered around the market, and was again impressed and enticed by the gorgeous fruit and vegetables. I ran into our guide, Ivana, who was filling her water bottle at yet another public water fountain - this one at a corner in the market square.