Friday, May 19, 2006

from Dubrovnik: city park

If you haven’t the room for a park in the city, then find room for it elsewhere. The people of Dubrovnik took that message to heart and put their park on an island, a dozen minutes away by boat.

And so when the city was feeling just a little too overrun by school grops, English pensioners and tourists speaking languages I cannot place – it was time to head for the park.


Europe 06 Croatia 410
ferrying for an afternoon away from the city pace


The island of Lokrum is a quiet place. So close and yet so quiet! There is an old monastery and a small church, but you really come here for the lush vegetation, the coastal views...


Europe 06 Croatia 431


...the winding trails, and the nudist beach.

Yes, that. We stumbled upon it by getting lost in the woods (I had the map and I forgot to follow it) and coming upon a sign that basically said put away your cameras and take off your clothes or stay out.

So, did I oblige or did I move on?

It turns out Croatia has a long “naturist” tradition. People expect to be able to go out on select beaches sans attire. They like the feel of water on their bodies. They’ve been commanded to do a lot of things in the past, but here, in these spots up and down the coast, they can do as they please.

They say the coastal waters got toasty warm – good enough to swim in – just this week. And the sun has been out daily, with pleasant breezes keeping the days at a perfect temperature. Why not swim and frolic and eat well at night. Why not…


Europe 06 Croatia 437
a peacock watches


Europe 06 Croatia 444
a boat goes by, taking it in



Europe 06 Croatia 433
yet another place to swim on the island: the dead sea (cameras permitted here)



Europe 06 Croatia 468
a late dinner, outside, by the sea

4 comments:

  1. I see a 21 hour gap between photos 437 and 444. Was that the "no cameras allowed" part? It's a great place, ain't it! q

    ReplyDelete
  2. I read you every day. Thank you for reminding me to do as I please. Every now and then.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Were I in your place, there'd be no question: away goes the camera, off come the clothes. I'd just hope I remembered sunscreen!

    This trip has provided the best virtual vacation I've ever had the pleasure to read. Thank you so much, Nina! And thank you for your very kind comments on my blog, too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Except for the walled city and the peacock, these pictures look eerily like California.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.