Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Second Stop: Dubrovnik , Croatia

Our second port of call was Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Croatia is such an amazing place; it's very picturesque!

This very large bridge is the first thing that we saw as we got off of the cruise ship. We were told that this bridge was made by Americans, but I don't know if that is true or not. (I should probably Google that to find out.)



All of the orange roofs that you see have a meaning. Our tour guide (who sounds like Count Dracula when he talks) told us that every place you see with an orange roof, is a place that was rebuilt after the war. I don't know anything about the war other than what he told us....."It was a stupid, stupid war; started in 1991 by stupid people for stupid reasons." (He used the word "stupid" multiple times.) I'm sorry that I don't have any more information than that, but that is all I know. He went on to say though that after the war, people started to move back in to Dubrovnik, and they began to rebuild. All of the orange roofs are a constant reminder of all of the people and places that were lost in the stupid war.

And I must tell you all that the bright orange roofs surrounded by the beautiful blue water of the Adriatic Sea is quite stunning!



Croatia is covered by these beautiful yellow wildflowers. Our tour guide told us the name of them, but I cannot remember it. If you know the name, please let me know. I had a difficult time understanding him. Don't get me wrong, he spoke English amazingly well, but that Count Dracula accent was so thick, that I didn't always understand what he was saying.



After letting us stop to take a few pictures of the countryside, we were taken to the home of the Sapro family. This family has lived here for over 700 years. They make olive oil and wine for a living.



The first thing we saw as we got off of the tour bus was this little old lady watering her garden. She must have felt like a zoo animal the way we stared at her and took her picture. (But she was a good sport about it.)



Everything about this place was beautiful and charming.....Just ask Melissa!



This Croatian Cutie gave us a tour of the place. He spoke English very well. He welcomed all of us into his family's workplace where the olive oil is made.



We were told something very interesting (we thought) by the Croatian Cutie.....He said there is no such thing as Extra Virgin Olive Oil....He said that "extra" was just a word meaning "more expensive!" He gave this as an example, "If you have a woman, she is either a virgin, or she is not...There is no such thing as an extra-virgin woman." So he said the same is true of olive oil.....Melissa and I did not know that....did you?



The entire place was made out of this stone. Outside that day it was very warm, but once you went inside it was so cool. They don't have air conditioning of course, but with all of this stone, they don't need any.



This is the area where they stored their wine. After telling us everything about their family business, they served us all sandwiches and wine. Melissa and I neither one drink alcohol, but the sandwiches were delicious.



This is a little courtyard type area outside. Over to the left are some stairs that lead up to the family's living quarters. They live right above where they work.



As we drove all through the countryside from the ship to the Sapro family home, we saw so many roses. They came in every color and size that you could imagine. They were so beautiful! I took this picture of the roses growing beside the Sapro's home. They had many other types of flowers as well, but I wanted to show you just an example of some of the roses that we saw that day.



This is the view from the Sapro family home. They are surrounded by the beauty of God's creation.



I'll continue with more of our day in Croatia next time.........

P.S. I wanted to let you all know that I go to have my MRI at 8:30 in the morning on Friday; then I see the neurologist that same afternoon at 1:00. Thank you all again for your kind words of encouragement and especially for your prayers.
God Bless,
Amy:)

19 comments:

Aleisha said...

I'm putting this place on the list of where to visit. It's beautiful! Your friend and the cutie make a cute couple. =o) Your trip looks like it was amazing and well worth it. It's great to see all the beautiful places God has created. Everyone should get the chance to do so.

My Blessings From Above said...

Just beautiful!!! I just love all the pictures!

Tracey said...

What an amazingly beautiful place...not what I think of when someone says Croatia.

Your comment about EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL...almost made me pee my pants!!! FUNNY!

Gina said...

Croatia is so beautiful!! I would love to go there.

I will be praying for your Dr. appts. on Friday.

Gina

valerie said...

This is just the most amazingly beautiful place ever! I love seeing each picture and reading all the info about each one.

It's good to be back from camp. It was lots of fun and the kids were so sweet to us and so gracious. By the way...(cotton ball game) I didn't play any games and I wouldn't have been able to do that one either.
I kept reminding myself often..."I'm the cook!"
I'll keep you in my prayers and I'll be looking forward to hearing the news you get from the dr. on Fri.
Have a great day! (It's stormy here in OK today)
Love,
Val

sa061545@bellsouth.net said...

TO: Michele, Paula, and Mia!
Thanks so much for the birthday wishes! I love reading all of you girls' blogs! Wish I had the talent but I don't (nor the time!)

To my baby girl! These pictures are just awesome! I know there is no way they can do them justice! One of these days I would love to go there too. I'm so glad you had this opportunity - I just hate that you had some unpleasantness and health issues to deal with.
I love you much & much!
MOM :)

Jenny said...

That place looks wonderful! I love the extra-virgin olive oil, I can't wait to tell my husband, in fact I'm doing a thing at church tonight and I may have to work that in!

Kellan said...

Hi Amy - what a great trip - how beautiful and you took some fabulous pictures. I'd love to go there.

I hope all goes well for you at your MRI - I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I have serveral people that I know having MRI's this week.

Take care - see you soon - Kellan

Tricia said...

My in-laws are planning a trip to Croatia. They have extended family there. I have these two wildflowers or I would be going as well : ) The only thing that I know about Croatia is that Luca from ER was from there and if they all look like that then it must have been a beautiful place : )

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Thank you for transporting me to another world today! It's like being there...almost, but not quite. Actually, it's more like a dream or watching "Under the Tuscan Sun" for the umpteenth time.

peace~elaine

Denise said...

Amy,
I do so enjoy reading "you" every day. I feel like I'm going on your trip now. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and your great pics. Keep 'em comin! Also, I will certainly be thinking of you and saying a prayer for you on Friday.
Denise

Tina said...

I just want to go retrace your steps...I would LOVE to visit these places!! It's all breathtaking...

Paula V said...

Beautiful pics!

No, I did not know about the extra virgin olive oil, makes sense though.

Did you SMEEEELLLLL the roses?

Anonymous said...

Wow! Did not know that about extra virgin olive oil but your explanation makes perfect sense.

These pictures are so beautiful!!

Mia said...

Agree with Denise...its like you are taking us along on your trip. Thank you for taking the time to post so many pictures and explaining everything, even though I KNOW you don't feel good at all. You are a sweetie : )

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing your pictures! They are BEAUTIFUL! :)

I'm so sorry that you aren't feeling good...or shall I say that I'm sorry that you are feeling SO much pain? Will be praying for you!

Prayers and Blessings,
Rebecca

Kelley said...

What a gift you are to share all of these stories and pictures. I feel like I am seeing and learning so much without even leaving my laptop. LOL! I look forward to the next adventure...

I will pray for you as you go to get the MRI. I hope your pain is better!

Anonymous said...

What beautiful pics! I love my virtual tour. Thanks for sharing!

Jamie said...

Simply beautiful! Love the pics and reading about your trip.

Praying for you and your appointments on Friday.