Map Pictures

Kara's Wave, 2009, 24 x 36 inches

Fiona's wave, 2006, 48 x 77 inches

I love maps and can get engrossed into an  atlas, studying the countries, oceans, islands and continents.   These map collages are incredible, created by the talented artist Matthew Cusick, from Dallas, Texas.  Source Materialicious.

Azure New Zealand

My brother visited New Zealand last year and made a fascinating discovery ...

As well as touring the whole North and South Islands, he of course visited Auckland ...

Just when he was exploring the Sky Tower and the surrounding area of Sky City he was intrigued to discover ...

... this plaque dedicated to Croatians!   It reads:

" MEMORIAL  SPOMEN PLOCA.  Between the years 1890 and 1980 this locality was the gateway and meeting place for many thousands of immigrants from the coastal regions of Croatia.  The majority being from the province of Dalmatia.  In this locality they had their homes, their shops, boarding houses, restaurants and clubs.    

Here they paused briefly before moving on to establish themselves on the Kauri Gumfields, vineyards, orchards, farms, fisheries and quarries of the Auckland province.  These streets were central to their social life where they enjoyed the company of family and friends.  This was their village, they were a Croatian people, proud of their origins and their Dalmatian heritage.  For over 70 years in recent history they shared identity as Yugoslavs.   

This memorial plaque, arranged by their descendants, commemorates their presence in this locality.  It further commemorates their courage, their relentless toil, their commitment to their families and contribution to the making of New Zealand.  

New Zealanders of their kin will remember them with respect and affection for generations to come.  This memorial was donated, and place, courtesy of Sky City Ltd, by Fletcher Construction, constructors of Sky City.      August 1997."

So, naturally my brother was amazed to find such a plaque about Croatians ... downunder!

Am I mad to change?

From this .... to this! Here is the snowy scene sent by mobile from my friend in Brighton today, just where I am heading to on Sunday. Yes our Dubrovnik temperatures have dropped somewhat this week with the cold north wind, but to be experiencing snow soon is a shuddering feeling. At least British Airways are not on strike now, so air travel plans should be fine.

From Alaska to Croatia

From Alaska to Croatia (and around the world inbetween). Many people ask how I met my man as he is Croatian and I am British. "I met him in Alaska". Back in 1996 on Cunard's Crown Dynasty we met whilst working on the ship and berthed in Juneau. The ship had 300 crew and about 28 were Croatian, and half of these originated from Dubrovnik. Alaska has breathtaking scenery, incredible glaciers (which you can walk on), clear unpolluted air, stunning natural landscapes, and magical sunsets, never mind watching up close the beauty of the whales, bears and abundant wildlife.

First holiday abroad to Yugoslavia/Croatia

My first holiday abroad (apart from school trips to France) was in 1979 with my parents and sister. We travelled to what was then Yugoslavia, with the popular tour operator "Yugotours". Our hotel for the fortnight was Hotel Belvedere in Medulin, near Pula, Istria. I have great memories of the holiday and I think I have still got "souvenirs" from 30 years ago (simple things like wine labels, menus, printed serviettes, tic-tac boxes etc). I remember being dragged round an ancient Roman ampitheatre, not a great day out for a youngster. Is it fate that years on, I am now living here in Croatia, albeit in the south of the country?

Hotel Dubrovnik, England

Back in the early 1980's my parents sold the family home (I come from a large family of 7 and numbers were dwindling as we began leaving the nest). A few years later on the house was bought by a Croatian family as their primary residence. My parents moved back to the Drive and bought the house next door. The Croatian family's business was a few miles down the road; a hotel called Dubrovnik Hotel. My sister even had her wedding reception at the hotel in '91. Today the privately owned Dubrovnik Hotel continues to flourish and promotes itself as Bradford's Premier Boutique Hotel. So, is it fate that I should be now living in Dubrovnik? All those years ago I never thought that I would be living in the country of origin of my neighbours.

Welcome to December ...

Last Saturday I watched BBC World's interesting "Hot Cities" about climate change and the fact that hurricanes and flooding around the world are increasing (apparently NYC is threatened to be at risk of flooding!).

For the last 24 hours we have endured a vicious coastal storm - winds up to 110km (directed straight at my apt, I am sure!). I thought my windows would blow in, so spent a sleepless night wandering the apt considering if I should bed down in the living room. Every storm seems worse than the one the previous year. By 4pm today, a sliver of sunshine showed through, but by 4.15pm for sunset - it was gone. These photos show nothing, if there was sound - it would be deafening. Ah memories of living on the coast in summertime ...

Moving to Croatia, 2003

'Twas a cold and frosty morning, way back in November 2003. Moving from Mallorca to Croatia this photo was taken somewhere in Italy along the way. Can you believe we came here with our "life" jam packed into the car. Now when customs at the Slovenian border wanted us to remove everything .... I had a British hizzy fit and the customs waved us through!

6 years ago today .... Dubrovnik!

I was reminded that today's the day SIX years ago when we arrived in Dubrovnik. Coming by jeep from Mallorca to set up home. Since leaving England in 1987, Croatia is the longest time for me to ever live in one place. Must be the views, people, wine, food, coastline, clear seas, climate, safety, friends .... which are keeping me here. I have some photos from the early days on another computer which I will dig out soon.

Saga Rose in Dubrovnik

7 o'clock this morning, the start of a glorious sunny day. The horn of a ship woke me up, together with a voice on the tannoy to the passengers (so loud, so early!); the dulcet tones I recognised to be that of Captain David Warden-Owen, a captain I worked for on Cunard Dynasty in 1996. The sound easily travelled across the sea to the shore as the air was still. The Saga Rose is on her final Mediterranean tour before retiring end of the month having been built in 1965. I nipped outside onto the balcony in pyjamas to take the photo. All the best to the Captain if he is reading this!

Fabulous Friday

As our Dubrovnik streets are awash with torrents of water from non-stop rain today, I have found a fabulous dream house to take my mind away from raging seas in front of mine! Sourced from the sites Materialicious / The Coolist, this architectural gem called The Riverhouse is located in Niagara, USA. Its limestone, Brazilian teak and silver metal exterior enhances the sleek, comfortable and contemporary interior. If money wasn't a problem - my kind of house!

Autumn in Croatia

Source: Croatia Tourist Board - Slano

Source: me!

31st of October, today - going into another month tomorrow. I took some Russian clients to look at frontline properties in Slano this morning, this bay is about 30km north of Dubrovnik. The sunset from my balcony was again good (pity my photo isn't!) at 4.41pm, the days are slipping away. We don't have Halloween as such in Croatia, but I've enjoyed reading all the American blogs with their colourful photos. Must find pumpkin!

A coincidental day

I had the delight to meet 8 very good friends of my NYC friend yesterday. Nancy Brookes is a cruise booking agent (formerly of Cunard shop 555 5th Ave) and her fabulous friends came to Dubrovnik on a cruise. Terrific people, know more terrific people! They had booked 4 penthouses on the Nautica ship. After enjoying a 2 hour guided tour of the Old Town we ate at the top Nautika restaurant. I noticed that one of the gents had a jacket made by the brand Nautica. Too many coincidences! A wonderful group of friends who are having the time of their lives cruising around Europe!

Azure Maldives

Today I would like to be in Azure Maldives, rather than Azure Croatia .... our temperatures have plummeted and the rain/wind is a-plenty. I received an email from my friend Petra who works on this glorious island of Kuredu in the Indian Ocean. She always manages to send a message at the "right time", just when it is blowing a gale or snowing here. Will batten down the hatches tonight. Petra and Marc are just completing their own dive base on an island which takes 10 mins to walk around, opening 1st Jan 2010. She spent an hour reading my blog, appreciated!

Holiday Time

I am packing for a journey/voyage/adventure for the following week so will not be posting til after next weekend ... which will bring us into October, the months are flying.

Cunard - Tiffany - The World

Next to my laptop on my desk sits a beautiful porcelain lidded pot, delicately decorated with continents of the world. I received this as a gift when Captain's Secretary on QE2. Created by Tiffany I was fortunate that my friend, Anneke, worked for Cunard World Club and conveniently had an additional item. Gorgeous and something I look at and cherish every day.

No rain, just humidity

If you're living in a place with lots of rain ... take a look at Dubrovnik! 40 degrees and hot. Yesterday was so high humidity we experienced 'fog'. My Croatian neighbour told me the day was bad for UV rays and that I should stay indoors until 8pm!. Today is breezy, sunny, hot yet uplifting. What a difference a day makes!

Cliff Diving Series 2009 in Dubrovnik

It has recently been announced Dubrovnik will be one of the locations for the Red Bull Cliff Diving Series 2009, July 11th at 4pm. I watched this in Acapulco when I worked on the cruiseliner, so to hear it will be in Dubrovnik is exciting! They have 3 seconds to coordinate their form before hitting the water at speeds of 100km/h. The cliffs by Lovrjenac fortress (Fort Lawrence) the 15th century fortress by Pile Gate is where it will be happening. See here for more. Great photo above, but think it is skill of the photographer - if not, then it makes me feel a little queasy.

My Daily View

This is my daily view of the beautiful AZURE Adriatic sea here in Dubrovnik, Croatia. I hope you like the selection of photos I am going to post over the coming weeks - hopefully tempt you to come over to this stunning part of the world.