Flying and walking home

First leg of the journey was a taxi ride through busy Berlin streets to the airport for our flight to Munich. Nice talk with two American guys while waiting in line to check in. Jumped in a taxi at Munich airport for fast ride to Holiday Inn as poor taxi driver needed to get back quickly to not lose his spot after a 3 hour wait for our tiny fare.

Nice stay at the hotel apart from a drenching we got when we walked to a nice Italian restaurant in the nearby town of Oberling.

 Early shuttle to the airport where our walking began in earnest!

Walked to the furthest part to check in and then sent back some way for customs where some guy insisted we follow him to a "quicker" way. After a trek through terminals, stairs and passageways to clear security and customs we then walked back to where we started! German efficiency.

Half empty flight to Doha was very comfortable and the time flew by as we each watched two movies. Then another trek through the massive airport to get through more security and into transit.

Couldn't believe that we then had to go through more security to get on the plane home. Obviously not a lot of trust in German security or even their own.

Arrived home fitter for all the walking since getting off the boat.

Weather issue

Awoke to a wet day and had a rethink of plan to go to Potsdam. Had a salmon surprise breakfast at our cafe downstairs before new plan formulated.

Gail needed some retail therapy in the Mall of Berlin close to the apartment, while I opted to trudge through the rain to the German History museum. Gail was happy, and so was I visiting an excellent museum with plenty of interpretive stuff and mostly in English, as well as German.

Both of us looking for a quiet sit by the time we met for lunch in a very nice Italian near the Gedarmenmarket. Made it back to the apartment for a little rest and organisation before tackling Berlin again. Beginning to feel at home in Berlin.

Strolled through a few streets we hadn't seen leading to the same Italian called Amici for dinner. It proved a wise choice with excellent food and friendly staff for our last dinner in Berlin.

The long trek home begins tomorrow with a flight to Munich before the Qatar flight the following morning.

In the excellent history museum

Napoleons hat and sword from Waterloo 

Amazing run-in

Drizzling morning and tired legs made for another late start to the day. It is nice having an apartment again to have a relaxed and light breakfast to begin the day as well.

Various plans were considered, but finally decided on a gallery day and a look at the more modern side around Potsdamer Platz. The Gemaldegalerie became our only gallery when we spent several hours getting lost in room after room of Renaissance and Flemish artwork. After a while we had to focus on just the more important works as we began to collapse!

Heading out we walked straight into Ken and Lea Schaefer, who we had been discussing during the trip. We had resolved to contact them when we got back, only to find ourselves doing it in Berlin!

I had first booked into the Riechstag building to see the famous dome and after that we met them again over another Indian dinner nearby. They are on the first leg of their trip while we are on the last.

Amazing meeting

Inside Riechstag Dome

Berlin

Storms had a few flight delays out of Dubrovnik but our Germanwings pilot had us arrive pretty close to time. Lucky, as we only just made it to our hotel before reception closed at midnight.

Late morning start to the day, as checkout was a civilised 12 midday. Left our bages and walked to see the Berlin Wall Memorial and Natural History Museum. Failed to realise that they close on Mondays!

Still was able to enjoy (if that is the word) the outdoor memorial with plenty of signage, listening posts and remnants of the wall. Most moving to see photo wall of those who died in the attempt to get over it.

Moved to our spacious, but sparse apartment near Brandenburg Gate after lunch. Did a few chores before trekking the city centre. Found a surprising number of great older buildings that survived the devastation of the war and many impressive new ones. The city seems to be in a constant state of building and renovation.

Revived with an Indian meal nearby the apartment, then walked around the corner to the Holocaust Memorial and Hitlers Bunker site. Disappointed to see the Brandenburg Gate largely blocked by Coca Cola signs, tents and a sound stage for some event. It and the Riechstag building were still wonderful lit up at night.

Big day of walking and off to bed!

Wall Memorial Park

Berlin Cathedral 

Brandenburg Gate obscured by party stage

Farewell Croatia

With an evening flight to Berlin we had most of the day to kill in Dubrovnik. We had a late breakfast and  moved our gear to the Thorn room to start. While Kez did a Game of Thrones tour we had another wander through the medieval streets before deciding to transfer our bags to the Grahams apartment closer to the taxi stand as thunderstorms were predicted.

Had our last meal together as the crew moves to different parts. The chosen restaurant was Azur which combines local ingredients with an Asian twist. For us missing these flavours it came as a pleasant experience. All happy as we said bye to Claire and Laurie and moved to the Grahams balcony before our taxi to the airport and flight to Berlin.

Croatia had many highlights, but what we most enjoyed was the friendliness of the people and the great service we received everywhere.

Had a little sit and drink here before the rain

Lunch at Azur

Day in Dubrovnik

Leaving our crew of Gulet Linda was a bitter-sweet experience as we have enjoyed their dedication to our enjoyment. Nice things were said to them and returned by them about us. Lots of handshakes, hugs and kisses.

All felt a little flat heading into Dubrovnik as we struggled to get our baggage through the cobbled streets. As well as our bags, we assisted Kerry, Frank, Laurie and Claire. Thankfully Kez and Franks apartment was available and more dragging and lifting got us into a comfortable spot.

While Frank and I sorted ourselves, the rest enjoyed an historic tour of the old town. Met for drinks and the lunch at a nicely situated restaurant where the staff were very friendly with Aussies.

This evening we utilised the large terrace of our apartment to have another get together before going our seperate ways tomorrow. The others are keen on a"Game of Thrones" tour........We will find alternative entertainment in a town with plenty of options!

Final shot of Linda complement 

Approach to Dubrovnik 

Into Dubrovnik

After our stormy evening, we awoke to a day of mixed weather for our final leg to Dubrovnik. Tony suggested spending the lunch stop at a nearby fishing village.

We arrived in the secluded bay under some blue sky and decided to delay lunch so that we could walk around the bay and enjoy this nice village. After a short while we were scurrying for cover as rain set in.

A break got us transported back to the boat for our final three course lunch. We have been spoiled by the quality and quantity of food and wine.

Last couple of hours was spent in rough sea and rain to enter Dubrovnik new port, some distance from the old town. We caught a bus into the walled city for a look, before our departure tomorrow morning.

Dubrovnik is beautiful but very tourist dominated. Will be a challenge!

Linda at anchor

Entering Dubrovnik 

Island hopping

Our journey to Dubrovnik continued under a cloudier sky and stronger winds than so far experienced. It does provide a little variety from the near perfect conditions so far.

As we made our way between the island of Mljet and the mainland the boat rolled about making breakfast a little harder to digest. Several of our party also feeling the effects of the bike ride, and a few others regretting that last bottle of wine.

Skipper Tony found us a nice cove in the lee of a small island for our lunch stop and a leisurely afternoon to swim and rest. A predicted change of wind and possible storm meant we needed to seek shelter closer to the mainland for our Captains Dinner on board.

His study proved useful when we anchored in the bay and an electrical storm hit as we enjoyed a sumptuous dinner which included lobster and crayfish. We toasted our fine crew and talked about our two countries over a few glasses.

Tez flat out at lunch stop

Dinner feast

Our crew - "Jake, Ivan, Carlo and Tony".... Not their Croatian names!