*Guest post by Gabi*

Our day trip from Dubrovnik was easier and much faster than our day trip from Split. Dubrovnik doesn't have as many islands as close by as Split, so we decided to take it easy and check out the island of Lokrum, which lies approx 600 meters away from the Old City which translates to a 15 min ferry ride. Lokrum is a small, uninhabited island, completely walkable in a couple of hours, and served as a holiday getaway for the Austrian Archduke (and apparently somehow the short-lived emperor of Mexico?) Maximilian. Think Governor's Island, except wilder and not surrounded by radioactive, toxic waste in the form of the East River.

We headed over to Lokrum directly after breakfast at 1PM - whoa whoa whoa, don't judge! What better time to sleep in than on vacation? Aaaanywho, we knew some basic facts about Lokrum prior to our arrival but I don't think that any of us were ready for the peacock/peahen/peachick heaven that the island turned out to be! Also - BUNNIES. Did you guys ever notice how cute bunnies are? They don't get enough attention. I don't get it, but I am taking the first step towards fixing this injustice today by dedicating this post to underrepresented bunnies all around the world! I can be your hero, bunny, I can kiss away the pain!! (or pet you, whatever). So yes, the bunnies were a fun surprise. The peacocks were more of a tease - none of them opened up their magnificent trains (peacock tails) for us. Instead, they paraded them closed in front of us as if to say "Oh, oh you want this? Well that's adooooorable...". I think I finally understand how bros at clubs feel. Peacocks are jerks.

Nonetheless, the peacocks and bunnies were a fun distraction from the sweltering heat that day. Fun fact - peacocks were imported to the island by the Archduke because he thought they were "neat" and "kewt" (plus apparently quite a delicacy back in the day). You know who else found them cute? My sister Edi, who decided to chase both the peacocks and the bunnies around, like a true National Geographic wildlife photographer. After losing her a couple of times, Vlad and I toured some of the island on our own, including an Olive tree grove, as well as a Botanical Garden full of different types of cacti and palm trees. The island also has some old ruins, as well as a super salty "dead sea lake", and some pretty awesome beaches, all of which we got to check out during our day trip. Check out the below pics for more Lokrum fun:

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Ferry ride to Lokrum Leaving Stari Grad (Old City) of Dubrovnik. The ferry ride was nice and short - approx. 10-15 minutes, and we purchased the tickets on the spot right from the gentleman by the boat.

Peacocks on Lokrum Island "OooOOooH!!!! Look at me! I'm a super fabulous peacock, look at my fancy train that I will NEVER OPEN FOR YOU."

Natural swimming pool at Lokrum What ever peacock, do you. We have this super kewl salty lake instead that you can't go into cause you can't swim, ha! Humans-1, peacock-0.

Natural swimming pool at Lokrum And we can also float in it, jealous much? (I realize this post has perhaps gotten a little aggressive towards peacocks, I will consciously stop now)

Walking on rocks at Lokrum Like I said, Vlad and I explored the island while Edi was away chasing wildlife. Here, she resurfaced. Also, take a look at this scenery - doesn't it almost look like we're in space?

Walking on rocks at Lokrum And here is Vlad enjoying standing on top of a rock. If only life were this fulfilling every day...

Walking on rocks at Lokrum A good overview of Lokrum's coast - rocky, dry, and pointy for your butt, also pretty aggressive waves.

View of Dubrovnik's Old City from Lokrum We had quite a nice view of Stari Grad from the island. You can see how Dubrovnik stretches high up into the surrounding mountains - hence the hundreds of steps mentioned in the previous post.

Gabi and Vlad watching jet skier Here Vlad and I are admiring a stranger on a jetski.

Jet skier at full zoom Go on stranger, ski like the wind!

Local dude and his boat. You're welcome ladies. Unlike Norway, Dubrovnik has some, errrrr, below 10s around. Also, Pupica? LOL.

Peacocks were everywhere and not scared of people Another clearly dissatisfied and offended person-child, at the mercy of this incredibly selfish peacock.

Majestic peacock The peacock was totally trolling us and people watching. Well isn't that clever.

Majestic peacock "LOOK AT MY BEAUTIFUL TRAIN AGAIN. Just going to ARCH MY BACK A BIT! OH YOU LIKE THAT?"

Majestic peacock "I LOOOOVE myself, I'm going to hug myself now! Hugsies!!!!" - peacock jerk.

We also came across a bunny Look at how cute bunnies are!

He was a bit camera shy and quickly hopped away Despite the bunny's elusiveness, we still prefer it to the selfish peacocks. Plus, at least they shake their bums & tails as they run :)

Boats docked near Lokrum Island And that's it for Lokrum. We left the island around 6-7PM, and headed home for dinner on the balcony.

And just like that, another exciting day in lovely Croatia has passed :)