Dubrovnik - Lapad

25/09/2008
This morning we caught the local bus to Lapad, the resort area of Dubrovnik which has plenty of upmarket restaurants and cafes. We followed a pedestrian walkway which had an interesting mixture of fancy houses and upmarket hotels which spilled over the walkway to their own private beaches. There were a few sun worshipers on the rocks and pebbly beach but a bit too cool for swimming. At the end of the path we had a coffee at a pretty cafe overlooking the water. A few companies were touting their tours in the main precinct and we decided to book one to Mostar for the next day.
Back in the old city we strolled the streets and found a bakery which sold some delicious looking mini quiches and pastries. The queue was out the door, so we guessed it must be good and the wait was worth it. We bought bread and some fruit at the market. Later we walked to the old and enjoyed a gelato while watching the cruise ship passengers coming and going on the funny looking transfer boats.
Dubrovnik is very noticeably overrun by cats, everywhere we turn there will be at least one cat. When we sit at an outdoor restaurant a cat will come and sit under our chair and beg for food. Walking the back streets cats are everywhere.
We walked down a few lane ways inside the city walls and came across some elderly ladies sitting outside their homes sewing and selling their embroidery. We walked on and found a restaurant that looked nice and decided to have dinner there tonight.
We arrived at the restaurant and had the choice of 2 tables - we decided on the one without the tree in the middle. Another couple arrived and they got the one with the tree. Our meals came and the so did a cat which climbed up the tree and was about to jump on their table. This started a conversation with the couple - who were English, and said they remembered seeing us in Korcula. We ended up having a very enjoyable time with them, it was like catching up with old friends - talking about our families and exchanging travel experiences. We took photos and exchanged email addresses. It is the people you meet that makes the trip!!