The Stunning View of Dubrovnik from Mount Srd! The Unique Joys of Hiking Down

[Croatia Travelogue (3)] The Stunning View of Dubrovnik from Mount Srd! The Unique Joys of Hiking Down

After resting a bit at my accommodation, I decided to head to the Mount Srd observation deck, where I could look out over the Old Town of Dubrovnik.

Mount Srd is a mountain that allows you to look down directly onto the Old Town.

Mount Srd as seen from the Old Town.

There is an observation deck at the summit of this mountain.

It is common to take the cable car to the observation deck.

It is very close to the Old Town, so it is easy to access.

The cable car station is just ahead.

However, a problem arose here.

When I got to the front of the station, I saw about five people talking with a staff member.

And then, they turned back with disappointed looks on their faces.

Wait... could it be...

I timidly asked the staff member.

...Yes. It was out of service.

What should I do now... I came all this way...

As I was deep in thought, I suddenly heard what sounded like Japanese from behind me.

I turned around and approached them, and sure enough, they were Japanese.

I gathered my courage and spoke to them, and it turned out they were a married couple sightseeing in Croatia, and they were just as troubled as I was by the cable car being out of service.

That was when I had an idea.

"Would you like to share a taxi to go up to the top?"

It would be a waste to give up after coming all this way.

The two, who were initially hesitant, agreed with this idea as we talked, and we decided to take a taxi to the observation deck together.

This must be fate.

It was only because we happened to meet at this moment that we were able to come up with the idea of taking a taxi to the summit like this.

It is truly mysterious.

We arrived at the observation deck parking lot. Here, I parted ways with the couple I had shared the taxi with.

Even so, I am surprised at myself for being able to talk to them so easily, considering that just a few days ago, I was afraid to even go outside.

Perhaps it was because I felt relieved knowing they were Japanese.

Well, in any case, these kinds of small encounters are the real thrill of traveling.

As I walked from the parking lot toward the sea, the breathtaking view from the observation deck immediately spread out before my eyes.

The sea, a mixture of deep blue and cobalt blue, and the red roofs surrounded by the walls of the Old Town.

Looking at it this way, you can clearly see how compact and densely packed the buildings in the Old Town are.

It is a sight that even gives the impression of a jewelry box packed with as many treasures as possible.

This is Dubrovnik, hailed as the Pearl of the Adriatic.

It was a view that lived up to its reputation.

Moving my gaze to the right from the observation deck, there is the cable car station.

Normally, the standard way is to use this cable car to come up here while enjoying the spectacular view.

Moving my gaze further to the right, there is another wonderful view.

Dubrovnik is beautiful no matter where you look at it from.

For a while, I enjoyed this panorama at my leisure while bathing in the cool breeze unique to the mountaintop.

Well, I have fully enjoyed the spectacular view from the Mount Srd observation deck.

Usually, most people take the cable car to descend.

However, it is out of service today.

Therefore, most people are taking a taxi down, just as they did to get here.

But I decided to dare to walk down instead.

When I looked it up, I found that there is a hiking trail here and that I could return that way.

The elevation of Mount Srd is about 415 meters.

Mount Hakodate, the famous night view spot where I live, is 334 meters, so it is about 80 meters higher than that.

Based on my experience at Mount Hakodate, I thought I could easily walk down this distance.

I immediately started walking toward the trail.

Walking along the back of the observation deck, I found a sign pointing toward the Old Town.

It looks like graffiti on a wall, which makes me feel quite uneasy.

Is it really okay... I just hope no bandits appear...

After walking a little, a single path begins.

It seems I have to go down this way.

Oh, the road surface conditions have clearly changed.

I feel like I might fall if I don't walk carefully.

It is dangerous if you are not wearing sneakers or athletic shoes.

I highly recommend that you do not come in heels, even by mistake.

As soon as I rounded the first curve, a spectacular view appeared.

It seems the path is carved in a zigzag pattern along the steep slope of the mountain.

There are no railings, so looking straight down is quite frightening.

However, the further I descend, the more the beautiful Old Town looms before me.

I can feel myself getting closer to the Old Town with every step I take.

If I squint, I can even see people walking with my naked eye.

A world that looks just like a diorama spreads out below me.

It feels as if I have stepped into a movie world.

But people are actually living here, and I was just inside it myself a little while ago.

I couldn't help but stop, drawn into this mysterious city.

This city has a strange charm.

A cityscape that looks as if time has stopped, and the modern people striding through it.

For hundreds of years, across generations, humans have continued to live like this within a cityscape that has remained unchanged since long ago.

It is stopped, yet not stopped. It is not flowing, yet it continues to flow.

I continue to gaze down at this strange combination from above, as if looking at a diorama.

At that moment, a thought crossed my mind.

"Perhaps humans, too, seem to change but haven't changed at all... just like this unchanging cityscape..."

The next moment, the scene of a class I took during my student days in Kyoto flashed through my mind.

"The essence of humanity has not changed at all since long ago. We are fundamentally no different from the people who lived 2,500 years ago when the Buddha was alive!"

I remembered the words of the professor who used to raise his voice from the podium, trying earnestly to convey this to us students.

That's right. It doesn't change.

The superficial appearance, personality, or spirit of the times may indeed shift and flow.

However, the essence of humanity does not change.

Just like the cityscape, we are connected to the people and the world of the past.

It is not a different world.

But that is hard to see in everyday life.

The reason I was able to suddenly remember that is because I was here.

It was only because I could walk this path and gaze at this city from here that I was able to see such a mysterious sight.

You cannot see it while inside the city, and it is a bit too far from the observation deck.

There was an exquisite sense of distance here.

And that awakened the memories that were within me.

Looking back at the path I came from, I realize that I have been descending an incredibly steep slope.

It was truly enjoyable to walk while watching the old town gradually grow larger.

My steps feel lighter, too.

I have come down quite a way.

The scenery changes again.

It is just like a forest.

I will arrive at the old town very soon.

I can see the road.

This hiking trail ends here.

I walked slowly, so it must have taken me about 45 minutes.

As expected, I can feel a bit of fatigue in my legs.

But I feel refreshed. I saw something wonderful. Choosing this path was the right decision.

The walk back from there to the Old Town continues along paths that are quintessentially Dubrovnik.

Old-fashioned stone buildings and narrow alleys.

This is completely a residential area for the locals.

I get to experience a local vibe that is different from the tourist areas.

Well, I'm almost at the center of the Old Town now.

Looking up at Mount Srd again, I realize just how steep a slope I've come down.

This is the Pile Gate, which serves as the western entrance to the Old Town.

Since my accommodation is on the east side, I haven't used this gate, but this is the main entrance to Dubrovnik.

This is also the hub for tourists.

Well, I've finally made it back to the Old Town.

It really is wonderful here. Just walking around makes me feel excited.

I find myself completely captivated by Dubrovnik.

As I walk down the street, live music reaches my ears.

Strolling through the city while listening to stylish music, and then slowly enjoying a coffee.

The gelato sold everywhere in the city was also exquisite.

And it goes perfectly with coffee, too.

Oh Dubrovnik, how wonderful you are.

Well, I'm getting tired, so I'll head back to my accommodation for a bit.

On the way back to the accommodation, there is Banje Beach, the most popular sandy beach in Dubrovnik.

The weather was nice today, and it was bustling with many people.

I also went down to the beach for a little while.

I enjoyed the old town in a relaxed manner while listening to the sound of the waves.

This is irresistible.

What a wonderful place Dubrovnik is! I'm impressed!

Well then, with that, I've returned to my accommodation.

In the evening, after taking a break, I plan to go up to the city walls from Pile Gate and enjoy a sunset walk along the walls.

The owner of the accommodation also recommended that I must see the sunset in Dubrovnik.

This looks like it will be quite promising.

To be continued

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