Camino Ghostsis Grisham’s 50th novel. And as good as ever.
It combines his interests in writers, the justice system, and good winning over evil.
This is a feel good read.
AND might just get banned in Florida, increasing sales. Ron Desanctimonious doesn’t want to hear about mistreated African slaves.
… story is about Dark Isle, a sliver of a barrier island not far off the North Florida coast.
It was settled by freed slaves three hundred years ago, and their descendants lived there until 1955, when the last one was forced to leave.
That last descendant is Lovely Jackson, elderly now, who loves her birthplace and its remarkable history. But now Tidal Breeze, a huge, ruthless corporate developer, wants to build a resort and casino on the island, which Lovely knows, deep down, is rightfully hers. …
Definitely listen to the audio book. Whoopi Goldberg is the perfect reader.
After Dubrovnik, everyone agrees that Split is an excellent next destination.
The best way to get from Dubrovnik to Split is by ferry.
Not being a beach fan, I skipped the famed islands. Took no boat tours other than this ferry.
There are a LOT of cruise ships in 2024.
Split was founded as the Greek colony of Aspálathos in the 3rd or 2nd century BCE, and in 305 CE, it became the site of the Palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian.
There are ruins a plenty. And it’s much easier to visit those here than in crowded Dubrovnik.
Split is relaxing and casual. You don’t feel obliged to see ALL the famous attractions.
Many things do not work for the tourist in Croatia 2024. If you are promised snakes, there will be no snakes. Also no coffee. Nor a machine. And the rental bike will be unusable. 😀
I’d long wanted to go to Dubrovnik. One of the world’s best and best preserved walled cities.
Game of Thrones scenery.
It’s a hot destination right now for cruise ships and Instagram influencers.
TOO BUSY with tourists in the summer, I’m thinking.
This small city can’t really handle the visitors they are getting. Too much traffic. Too few buses.
BIG tourism is new here. The place was near closed to visitors during the 10 year Yugoslav war.
I’d flown in from Scotland and was a little overwhelmed on arrival. Happily I had a good (US $25) hostel dorm room with a view …
… and a helpful young guy at reception. He’d only arrived a month ago from Argentina and was still super excited about Dubrovnik.
Night 1 the hostel hosted a home made pizza party.
Highest priority for me was walking the famed walls. 2kms. I walked it twice in sequence.
Cost is 35 EU !?
Unfairly, the feral cats do not have to pay. 😀
So — like almost every tourist — I bought the 35EU Dubrovnik ticket which pays for the wall, the castle, Rector’s Palace, and several more interesting attractions.
You also get a 24 hour bus ticket which costs about 5 EU by itself. … Of course there’s no room on the buses. 😀
Surprisingly, I enjoyed the Museum of Modern Art. Normally my least favourite school of Art.
Obligatory stops at impressive Cathedrals.
I do recommend Dubrovnik, but not June through September.
Many things do not work for the tourist in Croatia 2024. If you are promised snakes, there will be no snakes. Also no coffee. Nor a machine. And the rental bike will be unusable. 😀
Picturesque Kravice waterfalls in the National Park of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Location: Kravice Falls, Studenci, West Herzegovina Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Unlike many similar scenic waterfalls around the world, you can swim and boat in this one.
The other major stop was at the interesting historical capital of Herzegovina ➙ Mostar.
Mostar was named after the bridge keepers (mostari) who guarded the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over the Neretva during the Ottoman era.
Commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century, completed in 1566, it’s one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most visited landmarks, and is considered an exemplary piece of Islamic architecture in the Balkans.
A monumental project to rebuild the Old Bridge, which was destroyed during the Bosnian War, to the original design, and restore surrounding structures and historic neighbourhoods was initiated in 1999 and mostly completed by spring 2004. The money for this reconstruction was donated by Spain.
In July 2005, UNESCO inscribed the Old Bridge and its closest vicinity onto the World Heritage List.
Tourists wait around to watch young people jump. They’ll do it for about 50 EU in combined donations.
screen grab from video
There are plenty of beautiful mosques in Mostar.
Our guide recommended a restaurant — and it was excellent, though not inexpensive.
Like Argentina, this is a MEAT eating nation. So I had the mixed platter including several of the local favourites. A BIG lunch. Couldn’t finish it.
Benevolent dictator Josip Broz Tito held factions together until his death in 1980. Once he died, the stupidity began. A good argument against organized religion is religious conflict.
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I learned more about Bosnia and Herzegovina from my excellent tour guide.
Bosniaks are the largest group, Serbs the second-largest, and Croats the third-largest.
A three-member presidency is made up of one member from each of the three major ethnic groups.
I wasn’t all that impressed with Dundee — but stayed here one night as a jumping off point for nearby St Andrews.
With the decline of traditional industry (raw wool, whaling, shipbuilding, etc.), a £1 billion master plan to regenerate Dundee Waterfront is expected to last for a 30-year period between 2001 and 2031.
In 2015 The Wall Street Journal ranked Dundee at number 5 on its “Worldwide Hot Destinations” list for 2018.
… I’m not sure why.
To me it felt a small city in decline. Many shops vacant.
There are some grand historic buildings.
On the other hand, tourist pedestrian streets downtown are great. And it has excellent train and bus connections.
My highlight was climbing up to the Dundee Law, the highest point in the city. A large war memorial at its summit.
Rick McCharles 
