Dalmatian Sunsations!

The pace, people, and sunshine on Hvar, an island one hour by ferry from Split, have treated us wonderfully these past three days!  The harbor-side promenade in town is buzzing with stylish vacationers and refreshingly void of conspicuous commercial logos.  We rented a scooter to ride through the lavender fields and vineyards of the island, and were happy to find the Adriatic just as welcoming on the other side!  Island life suits us well, but we're excited to show off these tans in Copenhagen...

Diocletian's Seaside Place

Here's Diocletian's Palace (hey Sam!).  What's cool is how Split has evolved with the place.  Rather than segment it off and display them like any other Roman ruins, the city has continued to inhabit the space within the two thousand year old structures.  Diocletian picked an amazing spot for his summer/retirement home but now it's even cooler because its full of trendy boutiques and neat bars.  Our hostel is located across from the Silver Gate and today China and I walked up to the bell tower, a 20th century addition, but a choice spot for views of the orange roofs and Mediterranean.

Niksicko

Happy Longest Day of the Year.  We're in Budva, Montenegro.  "Man is born tired and lives to rest" seems to be the mentality around here.  Accordingly, we spent our time beach hopping.  The immediate beach near our hostel, Hippo Hostel, is full of Russian and Serbian vacationers listening to loud Euro dance music in tiny bathing suits, but we found some more secluded ones where even James Bond could have enjoyed himself.  Sveti Stefan, with me pictured in the foreground, is an extraordinary island connected by a narrow isthmus surrounded by two crescent beaches.  Wish you were here...

Ozujsko!

We caught an early flight to Croatia and it's been very exciting to discover how beeeeautiful Dubrovnik is: a town full of orange roofs, green shutters, and limestone-paved alleys and arcades, surrounded by magnificent hulking walls.  The sparkling Mediterranean is just plain dreamy, and refreshing.  We took a boat to visit an island outside the walls, Lokrum, where there were some wonderful trees and lots of tranquility.  Lord Byron called Dubrovnik the "pearl of the Adriatic" but I can't wait to see the rest of the Oyster!

Czech Us Out

Here we are in Prague.  I was happy to see the city again.  The sausages and pivo (beer) still taste great.  We stayed by Old Town Square, visited the castle, the Royal Gardens, Vysherad Beer Gardens, Wenceslas Square, the astronomical clock, a museum full of miniature art (a poem written on a strand of hair!), the Charles Bridge, my former dorm / RA, Magda, and even went to the movies.  Eating normal food and wearing nice clothes is a relief.

It's For the Cous Cous

After the relentless heat of the desert and our exhausting conspicuousness in the cities (and the curse of one particularly wicked melon), Essaouiera is sure a sight for sore eyes.  This coastal port town is almost too good to be true: pizza! WiFi! and crisp sea breezes (ahem, winds) have even brought our sweaters out of neglect.  Jonathan's especially loving gorging on the International Herald Tribune, which is sold one-day-old across the street.  And those are our clean clothes drying on the roof!!!!

PS: Click on the pictures to enlarge them......!

Hot Just Like An Oven (road trip)

Abdul, our friendly driver, took us for five days to the desert dunes of Erg Chebbi through the Atlas Mountains and onto the (gorgeous) gorges in Tinerhir and finally Ouarzazate.  We're back in Marrakech now waiting to grab a bus to take us to Essaouira by the coast for our last few days in Morocco.  The desert was hot (yeah I know) but incredible; I like riding camels more than I thought I would.  China ate a rotten melon so we're hoping for digestive recovery before we enter European civilization ('Enshallah' - God willing) and some good Czech beer!

FEStival

We took the train to Fes (Fez for American consonants) yesterday, and we're already ready to get out of here tomorrow.  The pictures are showing up in the wrong order, but you can see (from bottom) our arrival, the carpet that allllllmost enticed Jonathan, us outside the World Sacred Music Festival that coincides with our visit (like my new dress?), the best part of the festival: the venue, and the FrESh potato chips Jonathan discovered enthusiastically on the street.  Tomorrow we're leaving these chaotic streets (and this delightful WiFi) for the Erg Chebbi sand dunes.......!

Get Youssef Lost

Marrakech: alleys full of people, motorcycles, lanterns, meat, spices and SMELLS.  The Jewish cemetery (above) was a quiet respite from the noisy Medina alleys - until the cacophonous call to prayer.

Marrakech continued... Ben Youssef Medersa (school) and wanderings