Dubrovnik, Babin Kut peninsula - Neptun Hotel and the surrounding area - The 23rd April 2017

I was actually lodged at an "extension-like" hotel across from the main Neptun Hotel at the Babin Kut peninsula, which I had read to be lined by beaches and nice walking areas.  Following the conference enrollment procedures I left the hotel premises still with the image of the huge bedroom I had been given in my mind and walked a few metres to take some evening photographs, knowing in advance that the tight schedule of the conference and subsequent activities wouldn't allow us much more space than simply attend the various workshops from morning till evening.

I was fortunate enough to have met a Polish colleague, Monika, on her way to  some "hidden" shopping area further away from the hotel area, who invited me to afterwards explore two beaches within the area that she knew well and which she felt were worth being visited.

This is why and how I ended up of seeing two rather nice fine pebble beaches close to each other -the Caves and Copacabana,  located some twenty minutes away from the hotel Neptun by rather forest like pathsI would have never found on my own. We also managed to see the sunset before getting back to the hotel where I finally had a light dinner of biscuits and tea in my bedroom to crown such an active day and in preparation for the ever more "active" following day.

Dubrovnik, Croatia - Typical Dalmatian lunch and a few local product souvenirs - The 23rd of April 2017

Alberto and I decided to sit inside a rather nice restaurant right in the corner of the Gunduliceva square and order a typical Dalmatian plate, which we both enjoyed very much. As far as the cutlefish rice  was concerned it wasn't too different from a similar plate we have at home where the ink of the cuttlefish is actually used in the cooking. I couldn't help having a carrot cake slice to finnish the meal with, which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

By the time we reached the Neptun Hotel where the two day Aviation conference was going to be held and even before getting my identification badge and the necessary material we would need for the following days' conference I spread the pieces of local adapted jewellery, the handicrafted cloth (I would have fitted into a skirt later) and the embroidered square made by Myra (an enchanting street vendor I spoke to and bought it from), the little handmade soaps and the typical delicacies I had bought in Dubrovnik. 

As I sat on the bed admiring those little precios things I inevitable revised the one day and a half I had been out on my own exploring the city and realised I had seen quite a lot and above all had fallen in love with Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik, Croatia - arquitectural details; the Synagogue - The 23rd of April 2017

Because of not having had access to the Rector's Palace, which was undergoing some kind of works I decided to stroll around photographing some details I was impressed by, which ranged from sculpted images on fountains through to the Cathedral façade and the Gunduliceva square, where a local product market was being held and where I bought quite a few local souvenirs and spent some time talking to the local street vendors.

Having accidently met a conference colleague we both made our way to the Synagogue,  said to be Europe's second oldest and certainly associated to many conversos Portuguese and Spanish Jews, who settled in Dubrovnik in 1544. Though small it was a little gem in terms of artifacts and despite photographing not being allowed the fact that there were some Jew visitors from Argentina an exception, which I took advantage from, was made then. 

Dubrovnik, Croatia - The 1506-22 Sponza Palace's inner courtyard - The 23rd of April 2017

I walked into the Sponza Palace's inner courtyard twice, once on my own and the second time with a Uruguaian colleague I accidently met in the Stradun before the conference we we were both attending and must say was impressed both times, firstly because of the fact that it is said to have survived the 1667 earquake  without any damages and secondly because of its decorative elements and a "food for thought" type inscription on one of its arches.

"Falere nostra vetant et falli pondera. Meque pondero cum merces ponderat ipse deus." standing for in a literal sort of translation - Our weights do not permit cheating. When I measure goods, God measures with me."

Home to the city archives nowadays it also holds permanent exhibits on its side rooms and around the courtyard premises, which I naturally had a look at.