The Adriatic

We decided early on in our planning of this trip that we would like


to go somewhere at the half way point that we could stop, rest, recharge for the next 2 month push.  Originally we thought Greece but Christine having lived on the island of Crete for 5 months 38 years ago and now looking at Google maps that same little town is swarming in resorts and tourists Greece was a no go.  Another place on our bucket list was Croatia and we were not disappointed.

From Prague we caught a non stop flight and arrived at our fantastic AirBnB at 11pm next morning we woke to the sounds of the Adriatic.  Hot and sunny a duel combo that we had not experienced thus far we headed to the beach, although weird lying on smooth pebbles at first, it does have its advantages, no sand but boy oh boy walking on them is tourture.

Dubrovnik 1

Dubrovnik 2





We went on a walking tour to the old city of Dubrovnik with winding paths and many fellow tourists.  One of their prides and joys is the Onofrio fountain supplying fresh water to the town since 1438, Game of Thrones was filmed here and the Jesuit Stairs was a popular attraction with surrounding restaurants capatilising on the walk of shame by Cersei Lannister.  We finishing up walking along the outer walls of Dubrovnik.

After Dubrovnik we settled on Vis as our Island destination, we had

home
thousands of islands to choose from.  On the opposite side of the island from the ferry port is a town called Komiza, we stayed in a 4 story house each level about 5mx5m and lots of stairs.  We were 100m from the beach and 20m - 100m from multiple restaurants and bars.  We arrived at the perfect time, the place was full of Croatian tourists, singing and dancing.  The perfect place to chillax.




We hopped on a boat and visited the blue cave but mostly we just lazed about.






After a week of bliss we hopped back on the ferry to Split.  Our accommodation here is very interesting, a very grand very large 1 bedroom apartment about twice the size of Brissy but I couldn't help but notice that Croatia must not have body corporates as the foyer and circular staircase looked like it had seen better days.

Across the park from our flat is Diocletians Palace, a 4th century Ronan complex built by Emperor Diocletian as his retirement home after he abdicated the Roman throne in 305 AD. He was he only Emperor to do this, all the others dying in office, and generally not of natural causes!  The emperor used Greek and Byzantine styles and anything not nailed down he stole. There is a sphinx and many Egyptian granite columns.



The most stunning thing we have done in Croatia is visit Plitvice Lakes National Park, a  UNESCO site.  A 12 hour return trip from Split where we got to wonder around lush forests and see 16 Lakes with flowing cascades and waterfalls created from the mineral rich water containing calcium carbonate, mosses, algae and bacteria that fossilise trees that fall into the water to form natural walls that change the course of the lakes. Extraordinary, and unlike anything we have seen. 

Croatia is also apparently famous for its world-renowned food and wine but I am sceptical of this as I have not had a decent local meal here.  They did invent the necktie and ballpoint pen, and the Dalmatian dog breed, I will give them that. From here we catch the ferry overnight to Ancona, Italy. We are a little concerned as there is a rail strike on in Italy (strikes are a national sport there) but we will get from Ancona to Bologna somehow.    








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