cl.klink Posted August 28, 2019 Author #126 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Old city, Dubrovnik, view from the wall, one of a very few buildings with collapsed roof not rebuilt. I think this was a school? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 28, 2019 Author #127 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Old city, Dubrovnik, view from the wall, at the summit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 28, 2019 Author #128 Share Posted August 28, 2019 643DFA4E-D778-4106-9589-F657EA8F96E2.MOV Old city, Dubrovnik, view from the wall, the view from the top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 28, 2019 Author #129 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Old city Dubrovnik, the Stradun and St. Savior’s square, as seen from the wall. Wider angle shot, looking down the length of the Stradun from atop the wall. To the left is St. Savior’s church. Next to it is the Franciscan monastery and museum with an attached rounded bell tower. All the way at the end of the Stradun is the bell tower with the clock, and that’s the end of the Stradun. Looking down the length of the Stradun from atop the wall, and all the way at the end of the Stradun is the bell tower with the clock, and that’s the end of the Stradun. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 28, 2019 Author #130 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Old city Dubrovnik, more sights from the wall Looking south, toward the old port Wall, wall, and wall On the other side of the city, on the wall, looking north to the Ft. of St. Lawrence (left) Facing the Adriatic, a sentry view port a modern sentry ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 28, 2019 Author #131 Share Posted August 28, 2019 While we sat at a cafe on the Stradun, a wedding part entered from near the bell tower at the south end of the Stradun, marched its length to the church of St. Savior. The sound and sights of the parade ... 4AB91A06-CACE-4B90-B3A5-C1E0DA47297C.MOV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 28, 2019 Author #132 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Outside the old city, atop Mt. Srd, in Dubrovnik For reference, here I’ve outlined the old city in red. The cruise ship is docked just out of view to the right of this point of view. During the 1991-92 siege, townspeople from below steeled up here by foot or donkey at night to supply the 25 who held this stronghold against the Yugoslavian army. My cousin took a picture of me taking a picture. This is a meta-picture, therefore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 28, 2019 Author #133 Share Posted August 28, 2019 From Mt. Srd, looking east, the hills immediately in the foreground are already part of Bosnia ... and these hills (beyond the green bluff) are in Montenegro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 28, 2019 Author #134 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Today is day #4 on the ship, first sea day. Slept in. Some reflections so far regarding the ship and ship operations. I’ve been pleased. I’ve had nothing but smiling pleasant and mostly very competent service from staff. Though Connie is an older ship, it is nicely maintained and appears well run. Lots of food in the buffet where we’ve had our breakfasts. I do find that it feels a bit zoo-like, and some food is not very good, or otherwise worthy of a pass. But, there have been plenty of good options and it’s been a workable way for two couples to meet in AM and start the day. We eat at the outside aft area, al fresco, and enjoy that. We’ve eaten in MDR last two nights. We’ve not been there for several years as we’d been eating in Blu for several cruises now. For those that lament it’s not what it once was, I suppose that’s true, but not much else is either (me included). The MDR has been fine, most of it very good. Food has been interesting, and well prepared. Staff have been very welcoming and though we are doing select dining, the second night we came we were seated is in same area and wait staff remembered us (I really like that). I think Blu is a bit better, but this has been nice too. BTW, at all restaurants they’ve been very proactive in asking about any food allergies or limitations, and menus list several categories of options (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, low sugar). My cousin is gluten allergic, and staff have offered many additional good options and ways to accommodate. Our cabin attendant, Karl, has been smiling, prompt, responsive, and effective. Our cabin is bright and functional and everything works. The climate control has been good, as we prefer it cooler. The evening shows have been ok to good. These are of less interest to me than to DW but they seem similar to other X ships. Good acrobatic feats of dancers, with songs that are peppy and well sung. A long standing pet peeve of mine is that the sound of the voices is so loud with the microphones, and with mikes covering their mouths, they might as well be lip syncing. I kind of think they are, in fact. It’s one of the reasons I hate misamplified musical performances — if I can’t tell it’s real and live, if it sounds the same as a recording, then what’s the point of me or the performer being there live? If it’s no different than a recording then it’s the same as one and counts the same. I want to hear the actual music / voices, and know it. But this is me, I’m in the minority, and the crowds seem to enjoy the shows. As does DW. So, I’ve decided that I am enjoying it too. Dear. We’ve had sunny weather without fail and very smooth waters since Venice (I can barely tell we’re on water unless I look outside). I am enjoying a beverage package but upgrading to the premium package after the already present perk of the classic is a bit of a gimmick. I still have to pay for anything over $15 for spirits, whereas that limit would have been $9 for the classic, and for $10/day more I’m not sure I needed that extra designation. Maybe. I don’t know. Some of the really fancy after dinner drinks or very high end spirits would be nice to try but it’d be extra either way. Much of what I find myself ordering would have been covered by the classic package. A few snafus have occurred, though they were handled. One day both of our seapass cards would not work to open our stateroom door. We went down to guest relations, where they said it must be the door, called the electrician, who met us in a few minutes at our door, and it has been fine since. One evening the cocktail person took my seapass card, I did not get it back (but she said she gave it to me), so went to guest relations for a new card. They have me one in 30 seconds, asking only for my stateroom # and name (I guess my face was my ID). Done. So, I’ve been pleased at how well they’ve handled things when help was needed. (BTW, sent in our pictures ahead of time online, none needed to be taken on check in at the cruise terminal, worked just fine, as did express pass on my phone app.) - Joel 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenMar Posted August 28, 2019 #135 Share Posted August 28, 2019 15 hours ago, cl.klink said: Today we had a late arrival in Dubrovnik and a very late scheduled departure. We again toured independently, armed with a Rick Steve’s Med Cruise book. We again docked a few miles from the city and again there were shuttle buses for $15 RT each. This time we just hired a cab for €15 total. Regarding the taxi, did you discuss the price with the driver? Did you pay in cash and if so which currency? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 28, 2019 Author #136 Share Posted August 28, 2019 21 minutes ago, StevenMar said: Regarding the taxi, did you discuss the price with the driver? Did you pay in cash and if so which currency? thanks For the taxi from port to old city, he named the price up front. He asked for Euros. For many things in Dubrovnik, if they wanted cash, they took Kuna, or nothing. Dollars not accepted anywhere we found. For the cab back, with a stop on Mt Sud, we negotiated and agreed on a price ahead of time, and again he asked for Euros. - Joel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 28, 2019 Author #137 Share Posted August 28, 2019 A specialty coffee at Cafe al Bacio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DENIE Posted August 29, 2019 #138 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Loving your commentary and photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 29, 2019 Author #139 Share Posted August 29, 2019 2 hours ago, DENIE said: Loving your commentary and photos! Thanks! - Joel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 29, 2019 Author #140 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Catania, Sicily, Italy! You can, perhaps, make out the outline of Mt. Aetna in the horizon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 29, 2019 Author #141 Share Posted August 29, 2019 We hired a wonderful Sicily native, Giuseppe, to drive his taxi, and guide us today. Half the cost of a Celebrity excursion, for a private guide, customized itinerary, air conditioned Mercedes sedan for 4. Set it up by email last night. Giuseppe picked us up as soon as ship docked and he drive us around for almost the entire time the ship was in port. Will leave a nice review on Trip Advisor. Catania is a working city where people live but not a lot we wanted to see as tourists. Giuseppe did show us the cathedral and associated plaza, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 29, 2019 Author #142 Share Posted August 29, 2019 (edited) Mt. Etna is erupting today. That’s apparently not that rare. I had no idea how active a volcano it still is. Giuseppe said lava can be seen from time to time (not today). At least three times since the 1980s active lava flows have threatened or destroyed roads, buildings, and homes. That’s gas and steam coming off the mountain, blowing off rightwards. Edited August 29, 2019 by cl.klink 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 29, 2019 Author #143 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Mt. Etna and previous flows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 29, 2019 Author #144 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Standing atop a comer cratered cone from a recent Mt. Etna eruption 4A5948B9-337A-485F-B158-9F8B7B96C2EE.MOV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 29, 2019 Author #145 Share Posted August 29, 2019 (edited) Lunch and wine tasting at Gambino winery 12743D2F-3005-4A46-B951-2ABD4852E4DD.MOV Edited August 29, 2019 by cl.klink 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 29, 2019 Author #146 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Taormina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterMet Posted August 29, 2019 #147 Share Posted August 29, 2019 (edited) 23 minutes ago, cl.klink said: Taormina. Joel, These are excellent pictures and this is an excellent review. Enjoying it very much. Thanks for doing this. Getting us excited for our June 2020 Greek Islands cruise on the Constellation and brings back great memories of our Italy trip in 2015. Thanks again. Edited August 29, 2019 by MisterMet grammar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DENIE Posted August 30, 2019 #148 Share Posted August 30, 2019 Thanks for the pictures of Taormina and Mt. Etna....will also be visiting these places in November! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 30, 2019 Author #149 Share Posted August 30, 2019 7 hours ago, MisterMet said: Joel, These are excellent pictures and this is an excellent review. Enjoying it very much. Thanks for doing this. Getting us excited for our June 2020 Greek Islands cruise on the Constellation and brings back great memories of our Italy trip in 2015. Thanks again. Glad to hear, on both counts. - Joel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted August 30, 2019 Author #150 Share Posted August 30, 2019 3 hours ago, DENIE said: Thanks for the pictures of Taormina and Mt. Etna....will also be visiting these places in November! Very good! - Joel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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