A Passing Ghost in the Old City.

And my very favorite photo from our week long visit. By evening, the cruise ship passengers had been ferried back to their waiting behemoth floating cities. Just as the sun set, a fast moving storm blew in and scared off the rest of the visitors. We were lucky enough to duck into a restaurant just as the sky opened up and by the time we were finished with the fresh calamari, sardines, swordfish and mussels; the rain had cleared. Here, Lydia stands in front of the Rector's Palace in Dubrovnik. Only a passing ghost manages to get into the shot.

See it Now.

And finally, the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik. Formerly the Republic of Ragusa, the modern city's name is derived from the once huge swaths of oak groves covering the hillsides. You can get a slight sense of the dark green patches that must have once run down all the way to the sea. Croatia joins the EU in 2013, which means that the thousands and thousands of tourists deposited daily into Dubrovnik by cruise ship, plane and bus will only increase. But if Dubrovnik could recover from the 1991 bombardment by Serbian forces, I'm sure it can survive some German tourists in sandals and black socks.

East West.

Sunset over the harbor at Vela Luka. Photo credit goes to Lydia, especially after I said it couldn't be done. We spent the night in Vela Luka in a modern hotel that featured such Po-Mo touches as a shower with glass walls and pull down shades; and a toilet without any door or wall or privacy at all. Western European concept, Eastern European execution. Modernist design can be dangerous in the wrong hands.

The old walled city of Korcula as we motor the short distance back to the mainland. Here is a lovely gem straight from Wikipedia about the old Korcula town: All of Korčula's narrow streets are stepped with the notable exception of the street running alongside the southeastern wall. The street is called the Street of Thoughts as one did not have to worry about the steps.

Korcula, Croatia.

Another day, another island and another rest along the way. A small flowering meadow on Korcula.

Olives ripening on the vine.

To the Top.

Did I mention that we were riding bicycles? We were riding bicycles. And on this day we were riding to the highest point on Brac, a little over 2,500 feet up up up. Anyway, as I was climbing one of the last steep sections, very slowly, I noticed this beetle and decided to stop and take a photo. A dung beetle! I'd never actually seen one outside of the National Geographic channel.

After I got my photo and climbed back on the bike, I was having a lot of trouble getting my feet back into my toe cages. After a few moments I realized that was because I was having trouble controlling my legs. Because that's how tired I was. Not a great sign. About 10 minutes later I'd made it to the top and was able to take a rest and drink some water. The view was worth it.

Nice Tie.

I'm sure at some point a child played with this, and probably even cared for it dearly. But while in a small stone house deep in the Croatian hills, I could only see this doll as a real life prop from a horror movie.

Things Along the Way.

Another gorgeous day on Brac Island, this time crossing from Pucisca to Bol, with a detour climbing to the highest point, Vidova Gora. I'm sure this village has a name, I don't know it.

Picking olives along the roadside.

A few very friendly donkeys just enjoying the view.

Under Way.

Goodbye to Split while on our way to Brac Island. A beautiful day with calm seas.

Taking a break on Brac Island. On the road from Supetar to Pucisca, looking out over the rooftops and back toward mainland Croatia. We would later have dinner and spend the night in a 15th century palace on the harbor in Pucisca. Just another day in the Adriatic.

Up Early.

Sunrise over Split, Croatia. While on vacation I couldn't sleep, so rather I got to see the last few revelers from the night before filing out of Club Tropic while the cleaning crew started in with their vacuums.

From West Africa to Madrid.

Selling handbags on Madrid's Magnificent Mile while an advertisement from Vogue's Fashion Week looks on.