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Croatia, Greece & Italy
  • Debi Shaw
  • Debi Shaw

Croatia, Greece & Italy

An open-ended adventure by Debi Read more
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  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler
    1

    Lake Bled

    September 10, 2024 in Slovenia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Next stop was Lake Bled and considering the weather forecast was for rain and thunderstorms we were thrilled to see the stunning turquoise lake shimmering in the sunshine. Situated near the Julian Alps it is a tourist destination adjoining the town of Bled.

    Lake Bled looks like it would be a fabulous place to relax on the green grassy slopes in the sunshine followed by a swim or a row boat ride on the beautiful lake. We were wishing we had brought our togs with us. With so many water activities available it is easy to see why people enjoy this area so much.

    Our tour included a boat ride on a traditional wooden boat known as a pletna, meaning flat bottomed boat. Some sources claim the pletna was used in Lake Bled as early as AD 1150, but most historians date the first boats to AD 1590. Similar in shape to Italian gondolas, they are still to this day made by hand and are propelled across the lake by an oarsman using two long oars. In 1740 only 22 local families were granted exclusive rights to ferry people across the lake and the rights are still restricted today with many of the modern oarsmen descend directly from the original 22 families.

    Our boat ride took us to Bled Island which has several buildings, the main one being the pilgrimage church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, which surprisingly we chose not to enter. Instead we chose to admire the church and tower’s exterior and had a pleasant wander around the island before returning to shore.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler
    11

    Bled Castle

    September 10, 2024 in Slovenia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Last stop for the day was a visit to Bled Castle. Bled Castle is a medieval castle built on the mountains above the city of Bled. According to written sources, it is the oldest Slovenian castle and is currently one of the most visited tourist attractions in Slovenia. Nowadays, the castle is employed as a historical museum with a collection that represents the lake's history.

    The castle was first mentioned in a deed of donation on May 22, 1011 and it remained as the residence of the bishops for eight centuries.

    The views from the castle were breathtaking. While there really isn’t much to the castle and at €17 each, it was an expensive view. We did follow our guides suggestion though and try the local cake called Keenan rezina while admiring the view. Very similar to our custard slice from home but a bit lighter.

    The story of kremna rezina (or Bled cream cake) began with the arrival of chef Ištvan Lukačević to Bled's Park Hotel, where he modified the Hungarian cream cake by adding the right proportions of whipped cream into it, and in 1953, the hotel presented Lukačević's invention to the public. 

    The new dessert was a huge success and became a popular tourist treat, with up to 3,500 slices sold per day. The authentic kremna rezina is not just a cake, but a piece of art – it is said that the pastry is folded seven times before it's left to rest, the custard is cooked for exactly seven minutes, and each cake is cut into a seven-by-seven centimeter square.

    It was very delicious and a nice treat to enjoy while admiring the views from the castle.

    All in all it was a good tour and we enjoyed our day seeing a glimpse of another country.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Farewell Zagreb

    September 11, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Sadly we farewelled Zagreb, but what a great town to have started our holiday in. Zagreb has certainly surprised us. It isn’t mentioned often when researching towns to visit in Croatia with Split and Dubrovnik being the most known, but it is definitely worth a visit.

    The streets are lined with beautiful and interesting buildings, there are so many different museums to visit if that is your thing, lovely parks to sit and relax in. While many places I had thought we could visit were still closed and under repair due to the devastating earthquakes of 2020, we still managed to see and experience quite a lot.

    The people have been friendly and welcoming and even with the odd wet weather day we have really enjoyed our stay here. Now on to Dubrovnik.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    The Walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia

    September 11, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    After a very quick flight we arrived in Dubrovnik, ready to explore the old town. Of course the first thing you see before even entering Dubrovnik are the Walls of Dubrovnik. The walls have been standing ever since the city was founded, which dates them back to pre-7th century. Built in order to protect the city and its residents from the marauding invaders that plagued the countryside in those days, the walls are especially impressive for the fact that they have never been breached in the course of numerous battles and sieges during the Middle Ages. Running a length of 1,940 meters, the walls practically encircle the entire city and are an impressive sight.

    To enter the old town of Dubrovnik where our accommodation is we had to enter through Pile Gate which serves as the main entry point into Dubrovnik. Considered the city's transport hub, the gate was constructed on the western wall in 1537 in order to provide secure entry to the city's defenders fighting against foreign invaders. From the 15th century to this day, access to the gate is via a drawbridge that use to be raised every evening, allowing people to enter Dubrovnik over what was once a moat surrounding the town. It still amazes us that we are standing in places so old and just imagining this town surrounded by a moat is a bit surreal.

    Pile Gate has been featured many times on Game of Thrones and it is pretty cool seeing it “for real”.

    Entering through the gate we step into the Stadun. Officially known as the Placa, it is the main street of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. With its limestone pavements and beautiful stone buildings it feels like we have stepped back in time. Apparently the material for the buildings was supplied by visitors to Dubrovnik. The entry fee/city tax was a block of stone, and brick by brick the city was built.

    As we entered the Stadun we came across a very unique looking fountain that provided water for those that wanted to refill their water bottles and cool down. Built between 1440 and 1442, Onofrio’s Fountain was built by the architect of Dubrovnik’s aqueduct. With its massive dome above, it features sixteen taps around it on a sixteen-sided cupola. Sadly an earthquake in 1667 damaged the fountain resulting in the loss of the statue of a dragon that sat atop of the fountain. I loved the many different faces that the taps came out from.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Down Town - Old Town Dubrovnik

    September 11, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We dropped off our bags and headed back out to explore Dubrovnik further. Even though Dubrovnik is a lot smaller than I expected there is so much to see in the Old Town. We wandered the lovely laneways and came across the “famous” staircase from The Game of Thrones which was instantly recognisable.

    The old town is filled with cafes and restaurants and it is quite overwhelming deciding where to eat. We ended up back outside the wall at Dubravka Restaurant and Cafe. Operating since 1836, it features views of the Wall of Dubrovnik and Fort Lovrijenac. Built upon a 37 meter high sheer rock overlooking the sea, it is an impressive sight while enjoying a very delicious lunch.

    Once we refuelled we headed off again to explore more.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Churches of Dubrovnik, Croatia

    September 11, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    For a small town, Old Town Dubrovnik has a lot of churches and of course we visited a few of them. Too many in fact as I’ve lost track of which photos belong to which church.

    The first church we visited was the Church of Saint Blaise, built for the patron saint of Dubrovnik. Located in the main square, it was one of the first we came across. Built in 1715 after the previous church had burnt down, it was built by architect, Marino Gropelli, a man from Venice and given the often complicated relations between Dubrovnik and Venice, it is surprising a Venetian was responsible for the building of their patron saint’s church.

    Inside is the mummified body of St. Sylvan, along with other elaborate altars and naves. What was a surprise were the “modern” stained glass windows from Dubrovnik’s famous 20th century artist Ivo Dulčić. I love the contrast between the old and the “new”.

    The next church we explored was the Dubrovnik Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin. It dates back to the 6th or 7th century, according to varying accounts. Rebuilt in between the 12th and 14th centuries, it was rebuilt again after it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1667. The interior has a very elegant feel with its white and gold features. Very simple in design but beautifully done.

    The church whose interior impressed me the most was the Serbian Church of the Holy Annunciation. Built in 1877 the church has an important collection of icons, some of them dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The church survived damage from bombing during the Siege of Dubrovnik in 1991 and restorations were done in 2009. The painted ceilings, ornate and colourful altar and elaborate chandelier certainly made this a beautiful church to visit.

    I’m sure we popped our heads into even more churches but even for people like us that love an old church or two, we felt a bit “churched” out by the end of the day.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler
    1

    Evening Stroll in Dubrovnik Old Town

    September 11, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    We spent the majority of the day exploring the many interesting laneways and alleys, the majority of which are filled with restaurants and cafes. Old Town Dubrovnik almost feels like one big food mall with so many different options for eating at. It is hard to understand how they all stay in business, however we very rarely saw an empty seat while we were there.

    Once the sun set we thought the town would quieten a bit but that didn’t really happen and the streets had a very vibrant vibe.

    We finished our first day in Dubrovnik taking some nighttime photos before enjoying a bedtime gelato. It has been a long travel day so we were happy to have an earlier night.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Good Morning Dubrovnik, Croatia

    September 12, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We enjoyed a very lazy day wandering the streets and alleys of Dubrovnik. First up we had a tasty breakfast on the terrace at Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant near Dubrovnik's main square, Luza. It was the perfect place to enjoy our breakfast and mimosas while watching the early morning tourists (which we are too).

    Breakfast finished we wandered some more, once again admiring the beautiful buildings and sites, before heading towards the Franciscan Church and Monastery.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Franciscan Monastery of Dubrovnik

    September 12, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    After our very delicious breakfast we made our way to the Franciscan Monastery belonging to the Order of the Friars Minor, the Franciscan Church. Construction on the church started in the 13th century and a section of construction undertaken in the 14th century. The second phase took centuries to be completed, until the structure looked pretty much like it does to this day. Sculpted in 1498 by Petar and Leonard Andrijic, the pieta above the door of the monastery is an especially striking feature, setting visitors up for the beautiful cloister inside the monastery. The cloister itself features slim columns on which sit an assortment of plant, animal, and human figures. The frescos in the wall arches were beautiful and once again I am amazed that we can see these things from centuries ago.

    Inside the monastery is a pharmacy that is actually the third-oldest in Europe. It is also the first European pharmacy to be opened to the public, having been operational since 1391.

    The Renaissance Hall features an amazing museum collection of the monastery. Housing paintings by the old masters, gold and silver implements trom the goldsmith trade, and an extensive inventory of the entire pharmacy, the museum was definitely worth a visit.

    Amazing that these items still exists after bombing during the civil war in 1991. On display there is a reminder of the war. In the friary a mortar round pierced the wall and the hole has been framed. it just makes it all the more real what they experienced here. It was so worth the visit.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Streets of Old Town Dubrovnik

    September 12, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ 🌬 25 °C

    Protruding from the wall outside the Monastery is a small stone owl called the Dubrovnik Maskeron. According to legend dating back to the Republic of Ragusa it is said to bring love, providing you can stand on top of it, take your shirt off whilst balancing and facing the wall simultaneously. I’m not sure what it means that Brad was unable to achieve this - I mean he didn’t even try for our love.

    Once we finished at the Monastery we walked some more to soak up as much of Dubrovnik as we could. It really does feel like we have stepped back in time.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Getting Wild in Dubrovnik, Croatia

    September 12, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ 🌬 25 °C

    After so much walking and exploring we decided it was time for refreshments. We wandered down to Port Dubrovnik for a snack and some drinks. By now the wind was picking up and dark clouds were gathering in the distance.

    We chose to risk it and squeeze in one more walk to Saint John Bastion on the edge of the old town overlooking the sea. Once we turned the corner the wind hit hard and the waves crashed over the banks. It would be a great place to stop for a swim and some drinks on a calm sunny day but was wild and windy today.

    Decided we had pushed our luck enough we returned back to our apartment just as the thunderstorm struck. It has been another perfect day just soaking up the vibe of this beautiful town.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Rainy Day in Dubrovnik, Croatia

    September 13, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We had a very easy day today after an interrupted sleep. Thankfully we have seen everything we planned to see and with the weather forecast not the best, we decided to head out for breakfast before the forecast rain began. We returned to where we enjoyed breakfast yesterday and because we had a later start we got to enjoy our breakfast on the terrace overlooking the harbour. The sun was still shining and our breakfast and mimosas were delicious. Not a bad way to start our day.

    We followed breakfast with another stroll around town and some shopping thrown in before returning to our beautiful and comfortable apartment to relax for the afternoon, when the weather god turned against us after a fantastic first week away.

    The rain was torrential so we enjoyed a “bed picnic” of local cheese, meat and tomatoes while Netflix bingeing for the rest of the day.

    We did manage to head out late in the afternoon for a gelato before the rain again bucketed down. We can’t complain as we have been lucky enough to see everything we wanted to see.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Carpe Diem Cruise Time Dubrovnik

    September 14, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Our last day in Dubrovnik Old Town and we awoke to sunshine and beautiful blue skies. We were a bit bad and had warm apple pie and cream for breakfast on a terrace overlooking the town.

    We packed and made our way to the port where we boarded the Carpe Diem, our home for the next eight days. The boat has 18 cabins and several decks to enjoy the views. Welcome drinks and wine tasting with the captain before a delicious three course lunch.

    As we have already explored Dubrovnik we opted out of the town tour and relaxed on the top deck enjoying the sunset.

    We have already met some lovely people and can’t wait till we set sail in the morning and start our cruising adventure up the Croatian coast to Split.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Mljet, Croatia

    September 15, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    After an early departure from Dubrovnik followed by a nice breakfast we sailed to Mljet, the first larger island one comes upon while sailing the Croatian Adriatic from Dubrovnik to Split. It is Croatia's greenest island and considered the most beautiful and forested island with its Mediterranean vegetation, clear and clean sea, gentle sandy shoreline and a wealth of underwater sea life.

    Sadly the weather was not on our side and it was quite chilly and overcast so we skipped the walk to the national park and spent the morning doing a brief stroll of the tiny town before enjoying a drink at the beach bar overlooking the sea, then spent the afternoon relaxing on board.

    Dinner was at Forca, a small seaside restaurant with our boat friends. We have formed a fun little group of six and it was a lovely night sharing travel experiences while sharing a meal together. We ended the night with a stroll further around the bay and a nightcap. A nice easy day considering the weather.    Read more

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    Swimming in the Adriatic Sea, Croatia

    September 16, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    This morning we were blessed with the most beautiful weather whilst we sailed to Korcula Island. We stopped on the way and had a swim off Badija island in the Adriatic Sea.

    It was very refreshing and a great way to spend the morning before we had lunch on board. We are at the end of summer here and the water is still a pleasant temperature.Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Korcula Old Town, Croatia

    September 16, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    A few of us hired a water taxi after lunch to get to Korcula as our boat couldn’t dock until later in the day.

    Korčula Old Town is a medieval walled city designed to protect citizens from wind and sun. Dating back to the 10th century it is a town of history and Venetian-inspired architecture. The maze of narrow cobbled streets made it a very enjoyable town to explore and photograph with some interesting and eye catching artwork along the way.Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Churches of Korcula, Croatia

    September 16, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Like all small towns there are quite a few churches in Korcula and you know we love checking out the odd church or two, so of course we popped our heads into a few of them.

    The first church we came across was St. Michael. First mentioned in documents from 1408, it was later restored in 1603 when it got its Baroque appearance. The most eye catching piece as we entered this church was the statue of Jesus on the gold embossed cross. On the high alter is a painting by Domenico Maggiotto from the 18th century, depicting the Virgin of Consolation.

    The next church we stepped into was a little church built in 1483 to celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Known as the Church of Our Lady it was used as a private chapel for the local noble families.

    Gravestones decorated with coats of arms from several medieval Korcula families are set in the floor. It is believed that the tomb of the priest Antun Rozanovic, who led the defence of Korcula from an Ottoman assault in 1571 is also in the church.

    What I loved about this church was the mosaics behind the altar, created by Dutch artist Louis Schrikkela from 1964 to 1967. The hues of the mosaics just complement the church so perfectly. Today the church is used as an occasional art gallery to display works of local and international artists.

    The next church we came across was one of the oldest in the Old Town, dating from the 14th century. Sadly it was closed so we were unable to see inside. Sometimes it is the churches with the simplest exteriors that reveal the most stunning interiors.

    The church that can’t be missed in town it the St. Mark’s Cathedral. It was built by local stonemasons in the 14th, 15th and 16th century with the support of Italian masters. The cathedral was quite busy with multiple tour groups so we opted not to venture inside, instead checking out the exterior of the cathedral. What caught our eye were the stone statues of Adam and Eve on either side of the Cathedral door. It was certainly an interesting pose to put them in.

    While we enjoyed checking out the churches we much preferred to wander and explore the beautiful lanes of Korcula.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Sunset Cocktails at Massimo, Korcula

    September 16, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Our tour guide Mario booked the Massimo rooftop cocktail bar on top of the fort for us. To access the rooftop we had to go up a little ladder before climbing through a small opening to the bar. It was a bit sketchy and the cocktails not cheap at €16 each, but worth the effort and the price. We enjoyed a few cocktails while watching the sunset over the Dalmatian hills. It was a pretty cool experience with most of our cruise mates enjoying the views.

    Wendy, Ross, Steph, Gill, Brad and I later found a backstreet pizzeria for dinner filled with lots of chatter and laughter before finishing our night with a delicious gelato.

    We are having a fantastic trip and really enjoying our time on the Carpe Diem, sailing the Croatian coast.    Read more

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    Relaxing along the Croatian Coastline

    September 17, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    Today we sailed up the Split-Dalmatia coast under threatening skies to Hvar town on the island of the same name, Hvar.

    I managed to make it on deck as we were departing to capture the sunrise as we left Korcula. While quite brisk it was beautiful but that didn’t last long before thick clouds covered the sun. By the time we had had breakfast the captain had found a sheltered cove for the morning and thankfully the weather cleared enough for Brad to have a swim and snorkel. The breeze was still too cold for me so I opted out.Read more

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    Hvar, Hvar, Croatia (part 1)

    September 17, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    After lunch we took a water taxi into Hvar on Hvar island as our boat wasn’t docking until later.

    The town of Hvar has a long history as a center for trade and culture in the Adriatic. Part of the Venetian Empire during the 13th to 18th centuries, it was an important naval base with a fortress above. Brad and I enjoyed a lovely walk around town, deciding not to walk up to the fort overlooking the city.

    The welcome to Hvar sign did give us a giggle with the pictures of what not to do if you don’t want to get fined.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Hvar, Hvar, Croatia (part 2)

    September 17, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    The town square and the beautiful buildings surrounding it, including St Stephens Cathedral date back to the 13th century. It is a wonderfully preserved town and a very pretty place to visit.

    Our boat friends, Wendy, Ross, Steph and Jill, joined us later for drinks and a delicious meal in the square before heading back to the Carpe Diem for happy hour. The drinks weren’t cheap, but we were happy! Great way to end the evening, chatting with other passengers.Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Stari Grad, Hvar, Croatia

    September 18, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    This morning we left Hvar, Hvar and made our way to a lovely cove to spend the morning, eating, relaxing, reading and swimming. While initially cold to get in, we warmed up quickly and enjoyed snorkelling, paddle boarding and splashing about in the Adriatic Sea. A very relaxing day before we made our way up the Croatian coast to Stari Grad, on the other side of Hvar, a beautiful coastal port. Due to weather conditions our itinerary has changed a bit and this is a different port than planned and it has not disappointed us.

    Stari Grad is one of the oldest towns in Europe and was settled in 384 BC by the ancient Greeks. This town is by far the prettiest we have visited and has such a “non tourist” vibe. There is a real sense of peace here.

    We spent time wandering the streets and were impressed by the old buildings and port area    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Drinks & Dinner at Stari Grad

    September 18, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    After exploring the streets of Old Town we met up with a group of lovely people from our boat for an afternoon drink(s) in the beautiful courtyard of Konoba Pharis, a restaurant and bar that has been operating since 1988.

    After a bit more of a wander admiring the streets we stopped at Gradski Restoran Vala for dinner, recommended by our tour guide Mario, and we were not disappointed. Delicious food and drinks, fantastic staff and all finished off with a complementary cherry liquor. We were even serenaded by a group of men singing so beautifully at the restaurant next door. Our waiter Boris kept us entertained, we had plenty of laughs and were all a bit merry when we left. We all agreed it was out best night so far - it just felt like such a special experience.

    We ended the night with the obligatory gelato before heading back to the Carpe Diem for happy hour. Fantastic day was had by all.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler

    Makarska, Croatia

    September 19, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Today’s destination was Makarska, a port town on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, known for its Makarska Riviera beaches, seafront promenade and nightlife. It is a seafront resort town known for its water activities and the plan today was to do a rafting excursions. However we woke to freezing cold rain and loud thunder so the majority of us on the boat “chickened out” - well we actually postponed until tomorrow. At 13 degrees in the cold rain, rafting was just not appealing. Hopefully tomorrow the weather gods will be in our favour.

    With a very wet morning the best thing to do was relax and that is exactly what we did. Thankfully the weather had cleared by lunch time so we left the boat to explore the town of Makarska.

    The old town with archeological findings placing human settlement as far back as 6000 BC., nestles beneath the rugged Mt. Biokovo. While the old town is small, it is quite charming with its historic buildings and cobblestone lanes.
    We checked out the Church of Saint Mark, which, built between 1697 to 1755, was the Cathedral until 1969.

    We strolled the promenade from one end to the other, from the National Park at one end to the Statue of St. Peter overlooking the harbour, thankful we had some time off the boat.

    After such a late lunch we weren’t that hungry so met the others from our “Secret Six” group for cocktails and light bar food for dinner. The prices here have been the best so far on this cruise and the food was so fresh and delicious. Once again a nice way to end the day. We all called it a night quite early as we have an early start tomorrow for rafting.    Read more

  • Debi ShawCroatia, Greece & ItalyTraveler
    1

    Slap Rafting, Cetina River, Croatia

    September 20, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Thankfully we woke up today to much better weather than yesterday and ventured off early to go white water rafting on the Cetina River. And what an experience it was.

    The Secret Six - Wendy, Ross, Gill, Steph, Brad and I - all got to raft together with our guide Marco. We experienced a ten kilometre rafting trip that took about three hours to complete, starting near the town of Slime, down the Cetina River and ending near the town of Omis. The ride included some gentle water ways and some more exciting rapids. Marco took us through our instructions and it was quite hilarious when we kept getting orders to turbo (go 200%) and bomba (sit in the boat with your paddles us) mixed up with half the boat doing one action and the other half doing the other. At one stage doing the bomba I was flat on my back completely underwater thinking we were sinking. It was a lot of fun.

    We stopped at one stage for the more adventurous ones to jump off a cliff and silly me decided that of course I wanted to do it too. Out of the eighteen in pur group only five of us tried it. Thinking I was still young and fit, I was all for it. But one mis-step and my plan of a graceful entry into the water went out the window. I landed with a massive slap on the water and the sound of “oh no” from the people watching. I now know why they call their company Slap Rafting. Comment of the moment came from Louie, one of our group who wears a hearing aide. He said without his hearing aide on he still heard me hit the water. I’m glad I could entertain.

    It was such a fabulous day and an amazing experience. Even though I am now badly bruised I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was a great activity for our last morning on the cruise.    Read more