Before we start, a look back to the climb of Mortirolo - the few miles of hell climbed by Alec, Colin, our guide Aigars, and the occasional goat:
Back to the present - a shift in writing style - today, after 5 days in Dubrovnik, we part ways again, with the elder Ruegs pair (aka us) heading home and two of our younger Italian cycling compadres heading to Barcelona for a reunion with other members of the ITA6 cycling crew. So, Dubrovnik . . . .
Croatian Coast - on approach to Dubrovnik
25 or so years after "The War of Serbian and Macedonian Aggression" (we have reason to believe the Serbs and Macedonians may refer to this using other words) it is hard to believe there recently was a conflict that involved this part of the world. The bombed out shell of our hotel was a playground for children - hey kids gotta be kids. Today, well, still a playground:
Some local singing - we have no idea:
We leave behind a bar tab that will contribute meaningfully to local GDP, sunsets that defy imagination, a Dubrovnik police weapons display (US police departments buy weapons sourced in Croatia - hey, lots of recent arms experience and lots of supply - who knew?), and memories of a trip to wine country in Bosnia & Herzegovina's Serbian territory (separated from Croatia by a literal DMZ, followed by miles of neutral "federation territory" - ok, so things are still a bit touchy):
We wrap up our visit with a walk on the city walls, final farewells to a beautiful city and, of course, cocktails and a game of hearts poolside. A swim in the Adriatic confirms - salt - fun fact.
Oh, and lots of Germans - we checked our closets every night!