Dining Out in Dubrovnik

I sort of missed lunch on the day of travel from Zagreb to Dubrovnik so decided to have an early dinner in a rather fancy restaurant that was recommended everywhere.  Turned out to be full of Japanese tourists (partly because it was early like 6 pm which is not that early for Japan), myself included.  (I found out later that our Prince and Princess Akishino had dined there.)

The food was good.

Overcast but still light outside when I arrived at the restaurant.

 

 

 

All the wines were local as well as the olive oil and most of the cheese, I think.  The oysters were from Ston and they were smaller, rounder, and seemed flatter and less creamy than what I’m used to eating at home.  Not sure if they were the best.  The sea bass and the grilled vegetables on the other hand were excellent.

Proto

 

Random Zagreb

Before I move onto my second destination in Croatia, here are some random shots of Zagreb…

 

Pretty Ceilings in Zagreb

Due to the rain in Zagreb, Croatia during my stay I spent a lot of time indoors which involved some, more than I had planned I guess, shopping.

This old-fashioned department store had the air of days gone by from the Communist era in the way goods are displayed and what they are carrying. I took this on the last day in Zagreb when the weather had improved.

Apparently the building dates back to 1889 and it used to be a hotel.

Loved the ceiling.

I also visited this arcade known as the “Oktogon” not for shopping as there was zero of it but for the interior.

Not meant to be raining inside but yes, there are leaks.

Where the name comes from.

It’s very unfortunate that they don’t really maintain this place properly.

 

Arriving in Zagreb, Croatia

From Incheon, Seoul, Korea, via Frankfurt, Germany, arrived in Zagreb, Croatia late Saturday night.

My ride to Frankfurt

I remember Frankfurt Airport from about 20 years ago when it used to be the only entry point to Germany from Japan (and many other non-European cities) to be rather dark with a low ceiling so was pleasantly surprised to step out to this bright and modern terminal but was equally confused to enter the old terminal that houses Lufthansa, the country’s major carrier, which remained dark and unattractive.  You would think they would renovate…

The two terminals are linked by SkyLine.

My second ride of the day; from Frankfurt to Zagreb.

Arrived at the hotel around 11 pm last night and just had breakfast.

So they offer alcohol at breakfast buffet that is all included in the hotel rate. That is a first even for me and I travel a lot.

A little after 9 am when the breakfast crowd was thinning they popped open a new bottle of sparkling wine. Felt obligated to try. ^^

Hotel interior.

The view from my room.  It’s quite windy and chilly this morning.  Looks like rain.  😦

Visiting Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

Frankly speaking and it’s not just me but it is more of a consensus that there is not much to see in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city of Brunei, an Islamic Sultanate surrounded by Malaysia.  However, this, built for Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the father of the present Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, “Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque” is a beautiful and a picturesque building.

I was pleased that non-Muslims were allowed inside (just so that I could take a look inside) and women and men in the same area.