Queen Elizabeth visits Dubrovnik

On just her 3rd voyage Cunard's new Queen Elizabeth visited Dubrovnik for the day.
Inching slowly towards the dock, having been in Venice yesterday.
Impressive!!!
Magnificent! Where is my long evening dress to go running up and down those stairways?!
Coming around the corner into Gruz harbour. Dubrovnik's bridge is a handy place to "ship watch". She was an hour late arriving, no matter - they had fog in Venice!

My former QE2 "mates" from over a decade ago, now Captain and Deputy Captain of this magnificent new ship. An honour to have the full tour around, and lunch in the Britannia Grill - fine wine and food. Heaven! A fabulous and memorable day.

Bye Bye Queen Victoria

A late photo of Cunard's Queen Victoria as she left port last Friday heading to Venice.

The same day I received an email from the Captain of Cunard's Queen Elizabeth to go onboard for lunch when she visits Dubrovnik 16th of November, so very excited for that!

Shadow Vessel for M/Y Queen K

The yacht Queen K is still in port here, enjoying our autumnal weather. Our friends dug out some photos taken this summer of the massive support vessel, named "Sputnik". Painted in the same colours as her mother ship she is quite a sight at 60m. Boasting a heli-platform, and holding the numerous tenders, incl. "yacht toys" for the owner the shadow vessel is an impressive if unusual sight. (photos by MAP)

Motor Yacht Queen K

A "monster" of a yacht could be seen berthing in Gruz Harbour this afternoon. Now, after dinner at 11pm in the pouring rain we had to drive round to see the name - Queen K. At 72m / 238 ft she is certainly a sight for Dubrovnik, and especially now in November, when most yachts are gearing up for the Caribbean season. She is Lurssen by design, built in 2004 and formerly known as Queen M.

Her owner remains a mystery though she's been linked to Oleg Deripaska whose estimated wealth of $13 billion exceeds that of Roman Abramovich. Queen K moored alongside the yacht my partner was working on this summer (62m), and the family ate onboard, "Impeccable manners of children!", he remembers.

Calamari Season

Out at sea you can now see lots of little boats bobbing around, many staying overnight and shining strong lights into the water. This indicates it is calamari season. Brits don't tend to eat "squid" but I love it. Edin has been asked by his friends to go out overnight, but he can think of nothing more boring than staying out in the cold night air, with a rod, waiting in silence (even though there are a few cases of beers onboard). Our friend today gave us half a kilo of his last night's catch. Edin spent 50 minutes gutting the calamari ... great, there was black ink all over the kitchen! After the preparation, dipped in a little flour and fried ... delicious!

Cavtat near to Dubrovnik airport

Cavtat (pronounced Sav-tat) is 3km from the airport and 25km from Dubrovnik. This is a wonderful resort town just loved by tourists as encompasses everything a tourist expects for a successful holiday. The horseshoe bay is a haven for the superyachts in summer (and the obscenely large yachts have to 'park their boats' outside by anchoring in the deep bay behind) and the town takes on an elite air. Great beaches for swimming, restaurants and bars. This area is excellent for those seeking 2nd homes, with a small selection of new developments dotted around. Hurrah for my clients who have confirmed to buy today! Click on photo to enlarge.

Opening night at the hotel

The Hotel Rixos Libertas has had its opening night tonight. Even though the hotel has been open for more than a year ... apparently these things take a lot of planning! The wooden Karaka ship lay alongside sparkling modern motor boats to cater for every whim of the specially invited guests (actors, politicians, heads of state). 10pm we were treated to a spectacular firework display. I had a ring side seat from my front balcony .... and the music is still going on now.

Car-Free Bliss

A lazy afternoon on Lopud island, one of the Elafiti islands off Dubrovnik. A 45 minute ferry ride, then 1.5 hours on the car-free island and a return ferry back. Peaceful and quiet. Sandy beaches on both the town beach and Sunj (40 minute walk over the hill, did not attempt today). Sun setting and back to Dubrovnik at 7.50pm for dinner. More photos.

Ferry to the Islands

I took the ferry this afternoon to the islands, getting off at Lopud for a couple of hours. M/S Postira runs 4 times a day from Dubrovnik to Kolocep/Kalamota, Lopud and Sipan. The first 2 islands are blissfully traffic-free. The Postira I discovered was built in 1963 and is 335 GRT. An invaluable ferry linking the islands and at 18 kuna (2 euros) one way to Lopud is an enjoyable 45 minute run.

Dinner in the Marina

Had a lovely dinner tonight in the ACI yacht marina next to the overflowing swimming pool. The sun was just going down and the temperature fair. To be surrounded by the many sail/motor yachts in a delightful atmosphere made the evening very enjoyable. (When dining ask for your parking ticket, so free parking!)

Between Montenegro and Dubrovnik

8pm tonight MS La Belle d'Adriatique sailed past our balcony. As you can see the sea was flat calm with no horizon (I sense rain coming on). Everything quiet, hot, with no birds singing. The water was like oil as the 110m luxury french-owned ship for voyages between Kotor, Montenegro and Dubrovnik came by. She has 100 cabins accommodating 200 pax. See here for more.

Island of Lopud

Busy days getting back into work after being in England. Friday this week will see me catching a slow 45 min ferry from Dubrovnik to the traffic-free island of Lopud. The Sunday Times once stated that "Lopud was one of the top 10 secret islands of the Mediterranean". Business means that I will only be on the island for 1 hour, before returning to Dubrovnik, but a morning here makes you feel more refreshed.

Yachts for Dubrovnik

To cheer myself up today, as our weather continues to be dismal, I dug out some photos I took of the various superyachts which have graced our shores passed our apartment in the last year. April is now the time for the yachts to commence again!

Top photo is The Maltese Falcon a magnificent 88m (290ft) sailing clipper owned by US venture capitalist Tom Perkins. Second from the top is the massive Rising Sun 138m (453 ft) owned by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and is the 5th largest yacht in the world. The last 2 photos, one is a tres elegant french sailing yacht and the final one is I think Sea Cloud II - with about 30 sails.

Makes for interesting viewing with the binoculars from the balcony!

The 11th Split Boat Show

Spring is definitely here when the Boat Show in Split commences. Just 3 hours drive (thanks to new motorway!) from Dubrovnik the 11th Boat Show is showcasing 470 fabulous boats. Last year the attendance was 50,000 people. I was there last April with the property exhibition alongside the boat show - a long 9 days. This year March 28th - April 5th 2009. Our glamorous Azure friend Tomo is the sales manager for Sunseeker should anyone out there be willing to part with millions!

Motor Yacht "New Century"

A big coincidence this morning at breakfast. We were just talking about "New Century" the superyacht which Edin used to work on for 3 years - and an hour later we got a call from the former Captain! Thrilled to hear from Captain and his wife and all their news. MY New Century was in the superyacht category at 43m (143 ft) long, 12 pax and 8 full time crew. She has a new owner now and has been renamed. The interior was immaculate and super tasteful as you can see here in the pictures.

This brings great memories to what is a VERY stormy day here in Dubrovnik.

First motor yacht of the season

Excitement! Today was the first day of the year to see a private motoryacht pass the balcony since early Dec '08. Although fishing boats have been scooting about in the cold plus the odd police boat, this was the first "yacht". Not in the Abramovich category (they arrive in June) but at least something nice to look at. 14 deg./58 deg. and warm!

1 metre sailing boat

Here is "Widget-53" the boat of Edin which he races in the 1 metre radio control competitions. This is a winter sailing passion which is becoming a great hobby of many sailors in the Dubrovnik Yacht Club. It takes skill to sail these and you need to know how to sail well before getting behind the controls of this. In October Edin was involved in the European Championships in Dubrovnik which had 90 sailors from all over the World, not just Europe - Brazil, S.A. and Australia. In the spirit of Azure Croatia - his boat is blue!

Karaka boat in Dubrovnik

Here is a magnificent 30m (101ft) boat called Karaka which during the summer sails daily past our balcony. This is a replica of the type of vessels used during 14-17th century in the Dubrovnik Republic. Now used for touristic purposes; you can have a day tour, sunset cruise with dinner or just a coffee. Also used for incentive groups. Quite a sight!