Lucky for me, the slightly frazzled bus driver—after a few dramatic taps to his forehead—finally looked at me and said, “You have ticket for your bike?”
Quick as a flash, I smiled and said, “No, I pay you direct!” A tiny grin appeared, and he nodded, “Twelve euros.” Deal done! He showed me where to stash the bike, and I was more than happy to hand over what turned out to be a nice little tip — about 24 BAM.
Leaving Bosnia was bittersweet. That country truly has a special place in my heart. I think it’s the people — their warmth, authenticity, and genuine kindness. You can’t help but feel connected.
Once over the border, the view quickly changes. Before long, the sparkling Adriatic spreads out before you, and the closer you get to Dubrovnik, the more dramatic the landscape becomes — sheer mountains towering above winding roads, tiny villages, and the terracotta rooftops of Dubrovnik nestled below.
Later, I wandered down to the port and discovered that back in the 16th century, the Dubrovnik Republic was world-famous for its shipbuilding, especially the grand Karaka ship. Funnily enough, I grew up in a tiny farming town south of Auckland, New Zealand — also called Karaka! What are the chances?
Two giant cruise ships were docked in port, and another smaller three-deck boat sat nearby — maybe holding 200 passengers tops. Quite the contrast!
Tomorrow I’m off to explore the sights — can’t wait to see what this beautiful city has in store.
