World Cruise Day 85/152 - Zadar, Croatia - A country that "ties" it all together

Cruise day: 85/152

Ports days: 33
Sea days: 52
Countries: 15
Continents: 4
Ports: 24

Last night, we floated across the Adriatic Sea from Fusina, Italy to Zadar, Croatia (pronounced ZA-dar). 

We awoke to a day filled with mostly cloudy skies and temps rising to about 60F with a light breeze.  Not too shabby for walking around.  Good thing we had a walking tour booked!

We started off the tour just a few feet off the ship, looking at an art installation called Greeting to the Sun.

Installed in 2008, there are nine disks embedded into the walkway next to the pier.  These disks contain solar panels and charge all day.  At night, they illuminate in a light show.  The disks are sized and spaced to represent our solar system - the sun and all eight recognized planets.  I'm not debating the Pluto argument here.  The artist did what they did.

It is a shame that the all-aboard time today is 3:30pm as we sailed before we could enjoy the light show.

If you look to the right in the photos above, you can see some steps that go down to the water.  These aren't just steps.  They are also part of an elaborate sea organ powered by the motion of the water.  Tubes under the steps allow water in where the air is then forced out through tuned vents in the steps, producing organ-like tones all the time.  I couldn't get a very good recording as the ocean wasn't moving much, but it sounded really nice.

An old fort across the water

We started our walking tour with our guide recounting the history of Croatia and its myriad of rulers.  Generations of Croatians have lived under the rule of multiple countries without ever leaving their house.

We visited the Church and Monastery of St Mary.  Founded in 1066, it is a Benedictine monastery with a museum of artifacts open to the public.  They don't allow photos as the flash could damage some of the artifacts and people have no idea how to use their cameras or phones properly.  I assured the overseeing nun that I knew how to use my camera and took a handful of photos.

It is really a shame that I couldn't take more photos as the artifacts were stunning.

Across the street from the monastery is the Church of St Donatus.

The church was built in the ninth century and reconstructed in the 15th century.  The church was built upon the ruins of the old Roman forum. Outside the church, we see the tops of old buildings.  These buildings were built on the old ground level.  Since then, the land has been built up and the newer buildings were built on the ruins.

 

We continued our tour, working our way over to the Cathedral of St Anastasia - the largest church in the Dalmatia region.

Cathedral of St Anastasia

We continued our tour, taking in the sights and enjoying the views.

The former police station and clock tower that is now known as The City Sentinel

The city was exceptionally clean with workers all over tidying up - it is terrific to see people taking pride in where they live

More of the old Roman ruins - our guide said it is hard to get anyone to invest in Zadar because as soon as they start digging, they uncover ruins and everything halts

1574 for the Roman numeral challenged

Well openings over a large cistern where water filtered through sand for purification

The fortified entrance when the city was completely fortified

You can just make out the arched opening from the water to the left of the red house

When this was built, the city was controlled by the Venetians, hence the Venetian winged lion

We climbed up to the top of a park area for a look around.

These seagulls did not seem to mind that we joined them up top.

Enjoying a little light lunch

They use cherries to make all kinds of brandy and other liquors

As it turns out, a neck covering from ancient Croatian military uniforms was the inspiration of the modern necktie.  Croatian mercenaries serving in the French military during the Thirty Years' War in the early to mid-1600s wore tied fabric around their necks to distinguish themselves from the French troops they served with. So if you hate wearing a tie, blame a Croatian mercenary, if you dare!

It was really awesome that the ship essentially parked right in town

We walked back to the dock and posed for a few quick photos.

Our ride for the last three, and next two months

An immature black-headed gull, ignoring the huge cruise ship over its left shoulder

What a difference a day makes.  Yesterday, TSA-like searches, double bus inspections, and feeling like they don't want you there.  Today - walk right up to the ship, flash your ship card and you're on.  Nice!

Viking, knowing that people have been doing a lot of walking the past several days, and fearing for its passengers' well-being, ensured at lunch that any burned calories could be easily, and deliciously replaced.

We set sail right about 4PM as planned.

As we sat in the room reading, working on this blog, and so on, time flew by.  At about 6PM, it suddenly hit me - it is Friday and I was supposed to meet some friends in the Explorers' Bar at 5PM for Manhattans.  Dang.  We went up late and they were well into the Manhattans.  We opted for a Cosmo (Arlona) and a Lemon Drop martini (me) and enjoyed spirited conversation before we all headed to the World Cafe for dinner.  Our first sea day after Greece is the next Friday and I'm determined to remember to meet our friends.  It's hard when you never know what day it is!

Tomorrow, we arrive in Dubrovnik, Croatia at 8AM for a two-day stay. We will be walking around Dubrovnik tomorrow on a guided tour.