Croatia

Split

Bell Tower in old Split town

Leaving Kotor, Montenegro by bus to drive into Dubrovnik, Croatia and then catching another bus to Split also in Croatia gave our passports a thorough work out. The Dubrovnik - Split leg required a passport check 4 times simply because of the unusual boarder arrangement between Croatia and Bosnia. Croatia is similar to Montenegro in terms of the coastline and and the mountains but not as stunning. The towns and cities are also similar with walled old cities containing medieval and roman architecture with a fortress and tiny narrow alley ways filled with tourist shops.

Some Croatian scenery

Split was a lot larger than we were expecting. We stayed in the beautiful coastal town for three nights and despite the weather forecast for rain and thunderstorms, we still experienced some blue sky and warm weather. After seeing that the roads are a lot better than Montenegro's, we decided to hire a car for a day. We soon realized that we probably should have hired a car somewhere a little quieter, or smaller, first to get used to driving on the right, having the indicator and wind screen wipers on the opposite sides, the road rules like give way to the left at intersections and so on. After an initially tense and stressful start navigating through Split and getting the occasional beep directed at me, I soon got used to it but we both appreciated Eva being our chauffeur in previous countries. We drove to two beautiful towns called Trogir and Sibenik (both UNESCO heritage sites like the old town of Split) before heading to the national park at Krka with its stunning water falls and scenery.

Walking track at Krka falls

Krka Falls

Chon near the Hydro Electric plant at the falls

The Krka falls again

The clever Croations diverted the water at the falls to run their mills for grinding wheat and corn into flour

Old grinding wheels and the infrastructure they built

Grinding wheel driven by a hidden shaft powered by diverted water underneath

Fortress at Trogir

Trogir streets

Sibenik church

Old garden in Sibenik

Split itself was another beautiful town in Europe which we both enjoyed hanging out in. We went on a walking tour of the old town which was good to gain a little history both old and newish. One observation we have made about the people in this part of the world is that track suits and ugg boots (they also have these weird hybrid ugg/horse riding boot) are the standard, every occasion, apparel. Matching track suits (top and bottom) is the dressed up version and purple velvet or pink track suits are only worn by the elite.

Arch in old Split town

Old split town palace for a retired Roman Emperor

Streets of Split

Palace wall remains

She is in her Sunday best but he prefers the casual trackies

Both of us looking very cool at the falls but the only thing missing was our purple velvet jump suits

Hvar Island

Hvar town

We enjoyed Hvar town on Hvar Island just outside the peak season (like many of our destinations throughout Europe) but still experienced warm 27 degree days. An added bonus to the lack of people was that we got a great deal on a beautiful hotel room that was upgraded for free to a sea view with a balcony. We decided to have a drink on our balcony on the first afternoon, which was spectacular apart from seeing an old couple on a balcony at the other end of the hotel doing the same thing but in their birthday suits. After emailing family on the balcony, we noticed a small swarm of mosquitos hanging around and not wanting to have them inside the room I shut the sliding doors. It wasn't until half an hour later when I realized that I locked us out of the room with my phone inside the room. We really didn't want to yell out to Mrs Sandbags and Mr Meat and Potatoes that we were locked outside so I was forced to email the hotel with an SOS message to help us out. They came fairly promptly and made me feel better saying that it happens all the time.

View from the hotel

The hotel

Streets of old Hvar town

Where we spent the better part of a day chilling out by the water

Hvar town from just above the towns outer limits

Three nights in Hvar and we really took it easy, enjoying the beautiful weather, the small town and the crystal clear waters of Hvar Island. Whilst there was still a few tourist operators open for business we had no desire to go on any day trips to the neighboring islands but we did walk up to yet another fortress on top of a hill (which was a fairly easy climb in the end compared to the fortress in Kotor, Montenegro). The only downside to the quiet season was that I couldn't find anywhere to hire a pair of snorkel and goggle sets to really appreciate the crystal clear water.

Chon at the fortress

After taking the previous photo of Chon, she asked me to pose ... and I didn't disappoint her even after she called me a d..k

Then she got in on the act ...

More of the fortress

Chon joining this guy but I think she was praying that we never have to leave this place

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik from the wall

Our laid back pace on Hvar Island soon changed to doing as much as possible in a very short time frame. After checking out the old walled city of Dubrovnik, we found a tour operator who was taking small groups kayaking around the front of the wall and around the cursed island near by (7 km trip). They told us the story behind the curse but we found out that the curse was that after going around it you wake up with sore arm muscles the next day. That evening we also went on a calamari fishing trip, however, we were not lucky but it was great just to be out on the water.

Some of what we paddled past (the last photo is where we had lunch and went snorkeling)

Main gates of old town Dubrovnik

Enjoying a beer in the old town after kayaking

Failed attempt of calamari fishing but still enjoying some wine an nibbles at sunset

Sunset in Croatia

To even out the pain, we hopped on a bike tour the following day which covered about 25 km through the amazing country side (some of which was off road) followed by wine tasting at a winery. We topped off the day with a city wall walk (2 km)which was a great way to see the old city from above. Like many places we have been to, we could have easily spent longer in Dubrovnik however we had pre-booked an overnight ferry to Bari, Italy and we had to leave.

Lunch on the bike tour

One of many weird lizards that we came across that looked like snakes. Tiny legs, we were told but they still gave us a fright.

Fresh figs on the side of the road

House damaged in the war and riddled with bullet holes

Enjoying some plonk after a long countryside bike ride

Two fine looking shadows

Some of the highlights along the wall walk

 

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