Day 8

 The plans had originally been to check out of our hotel and then spend the day in a small town nearby. But we decided to check out and spend the day at the pool. After getting a little sunburnt we caught an uber to the airport and then landed in Naples Italy. Lunch by the pool

Naples is grungy and dirty. It’s old and well used. I had known this before arriving but it still surprised me. We are only here because we plan to see Pompeii on Friday. 

But our B&B, though old and in what Ben calls the ghetto, is a very nice Italian style room. In Croatia at bedtime we would leave the doors open to hear the live music of the hotels nearby. Here we hear drunk men yelling at each other, honking, loud jet planes and motorcycles. And we can hear seagulls. We may be close to the water like our old villa but it’s a very different vibe. 🤣

Last full day in Dubrovnik

The breakfasts at our Villa are really outstanding. The staff at Villa Orabelle are fantastic. And we are served croissants and rolls and then have a menu to choose of a great variety of dishes. I’ve loved their peach juice. 

After breakfast we took a boat to Lokrum Island. I had high hopes. Everyone raved about the botanical gardens there but maybe we’ve been spoiled in the USA because it was a major let down. The peacocks are beautiful though. And the old monastery was worth a visit.

And finished off the day with dinner in Old Town, in the walls

Day 6

 I am taking it easy again today to help rest my foot before tomorrow. But first, breakfast at our Villa Orabelle. We did lots of sitting on the terrace listening to audiobooks and watching all the cruise ships/yachts play in the Adriatic Sea with a little pool sitting time too. 

I also washed a few things in our sink. 

Finished off our relaxing day with dinner up the street and while we were there a rainbow appeared.

Update on Ethans trip

 Ethan spent a few days in Prague but now he’s in Cesky Krumluv. He’s enjoyed his tours. Here are some pictures from him and one I found on a George Fox website.

He’s gone on tours, went to a concert, visited an illusion museum, wandered the streets. Keep praying over him

Day 5 tour to Bosnia

450 year old Oriental Plane tree

We got up early to catch our tour van at 6:15. After everyone was picked up we headed out on our day. First stop was Ston, Croatia. We had watched a Disney+ “Europe From Above” episode on Croatia and I had wanted to visit Ston and go over the bridge (that connects Croatia to Croatia because Bosnia owns a teeny section of coast cutting the country in two) after watching it.

Ston has the second largest stone wall in the world, after the Great Wall of China. In 1358 the wall was finished to protect the towns salt, which at the time was very expensive. 

Then over the bridge opened in 2022.

Then we headed to Kravica waterfalls in Bosnia. Got a stamp at border control and then we were at the waterfalls. They’re gorgeous. You are allowed to swim in the water but May is a bit cold so we only see one man go in and back out.

Then back in the van to Mostar, Bosnia. There is so much history in this country. And its recent history, with the war ending in 1995. So recent there are still big feelings about the people involved in this civil war.

We had lunch here. Ben tried Bosnian coffee and I think enjoyed that.

Day 4 Dubrovnik

We woke and went to breakfast at the hotel. Sitting on their balcony above the ocean we had our breakfast. It was beautiful. 

 We couldn’t really do anything planned today. I can’t walk. This hotel is on a hill so there are lots of stairs. It’s hard enough doing these stairs there’s no way I can walk this city. I feel so sad that we are wasting time here. Like I ruined Bens vacation. Thankful my tummy feels better but can’t believe I now have my first sprained ankle. We just relaxed in the room with the doors and windows open both listening to books. It finally cooled down enough for Ben to head down into the old town.

Dinner was at the hotel.

Can you pray that my ankle heals quick! We have heavy, heavy walking days in the next couple weeks. Tomorrow is a tour to Bosnia!

Day 3 Croatia! Friday May 9

We were up and catching a ride back to Heathrow at 8:30. We were going business class so we got to spend an hour in a lounge with breakfast! Easy flight with lunch, easy luggage retrieval. 

Forgot to mention when we first landed in London Bens luggage was hard to find. He finally found it in a group of luggage by a group of people. Not sure of they had pulled it off or someone else had left it!

Took an uber into Drubrovnik and I love our little boutique hotel sitting over the ocean. Enjoyed a couple hours sitting at the pool and then went to find our dinner reservations. Fun to try some Bosnian food. 

On our walk back to the hotel I tripped and fell down some stairs! It was quite embarrassing and I sprained my ankle cut up the top of the foot and the arm on that side. It’s embarrassing and it ruins some plans (a lot of plans) that need me to walk. I’ve never sprained an ankle. I’m thankful my shoes have a nice low area for the swollen area to sit out of. Poor Ben is stuck with me.