My intention had been to visit the falls at Plitvice, but when I arrived at the entrance to the park, and saw the massive queues, I gave it a miss, and continued towards Dubrovnik. Driving through lush forest, it was really pleasant, and for the first time on the trip it felt a bit chilly! Fantastic. A couple of hours later I could only dream about chilly weather - it had become almost unbearably hot. When I opened the visor to my helmet, to let a bit of cooler air in, it felt like someone was standing with a hairdryer on full speed and max temperature, blowing into my face. 

It was great to be back in Dubrovnik again. I found a campsite on the outskirt of the city, and pitched my tent amongst ancient olive trees, and fig trees with delicious ready to eat figs. I took full advantage of that opportunity. Next on the agenda was cooling and relaxing swim in the Adriatic Sea, only 50 meters from the camp. How blissful to just dive in.

Valantin from France had arrived late and put up his tent a few meters from mine. He asked me to take a picture of him at his tent, with his instant Polaroid camera. As he said, I am never in any of the pictures, when I get home from a trip. 21 years old and a 3rd year student of architecture at the University of Canterbury in England. Wasn’t quite sure if it was the right thing for him. A bit too stressful, he thought. He had just spent a week with a blacksmith somewhere in Croatia, doing lessons in forging metals. That could be something! He was hitchhiking around Europe for a few weeks, with his rucksack and tent. He claimed it was relatively easy to get a lift. Better him than me.

No question of Dubrovnik’s popularity. 3 massive cruise ships were moored in the harbour. It really is a spectacular area. With the exception of Norway, and possibly Cape Town in South Africa, I can’t think of a more picturesque area.

Tomorrow I will see new territory, as it will be my first time in Montenegro.