Cable car and city wall

Went for a morning walk to the old town harbour before the sun came round the hillside to hit the city buildings.

Spent an hour or so at the summit of the cable car line.  Ride is about 4 minutes (100kun) and the views of the city and the rocky inland landscape are very interesting. Along the ridge away from the cable car buildings, you can see the zig-zag trenches dug by the Yugoslavian National army in the early 90’s as they got within 1 kilometre of Dubrovnik and mortared it from the hilltops.  You can see the description of the siege of Dubrovnik on Wikipedia and a map of the number and location of strikes around the city.

The language used in brochures, magazine articles and other written materials about Croatia’s neighbours and the events of the early 90’s is veiled and oblique about the aggressions at that time rather than outspoken and antagonistic but the depth of feeling is still there! 

Walked into new Dubrovnik (port) yesterday via the peaceful oasis of the cemetery and busy suburban roads.  Plenty of boats in port, cruise ships dock here, the traditional “pirate-style” Karaka ship is on display, Marco Polo is claimed by the Croatians to have been born in Korcula, Croatia, even though most evidence says he was born in Venice.Watched the international “brains trust” drinking beers and jumping off high rocks into the sea – plenty of Americans, Australians and English in that intellectual contingent.

Spent the evening (13 Sept) watching the polling results come through on the vote to decide whether the majority of Scots want independence.  Impressed by the nearly 90% turnout by voters. Scotland will remain part of the Union after 2 years of debate. The most important outcome is the level of engagement from the Scottish population – over 95% of eligible voters registered to vote – and discussions about politics and society have been brought into schools.

Another good weather day today.  Last full day in Dubrovnik before meeting on the yacht.