Skip to main content

the blonde of Europe

Over a pretty hectic three days we took in the Croatian cities of Dubrovnik and Split and made our way to the island Hvar and travelled the picturesque northern coastal route to Zadar before returning to London. Croatia offered the Medeteranian sea element to my big adventure but I was not as overwhelmed as I had anticipated. I had heard such rave reports about Croatia and despite it being beautiful I kept on comparing it to a blonde beauty of popular culture...its obvious but somehow it just didn't win me over. Or perhaps it just verified my revelation I am a lake girl!

Dubrovnik
With RenĂ© already having been to Dubrovnik our fast shuffle into town was rather straight forward. He was able to guide us through the old city along with the hoards of tourists to the Old Town walls which we climbed dutifully in the searing summer heat. We were able to see the Old town from a the highest vantage points admiring the terracotta tiled UNESCO World Heritage site and the workers trying to maintain it. After admiring the view and stopping off in a classic tourist trap posh nosh shop, by a bunch of steps we still don't know the significance of we made our way for one of the two "hole in the wall" bars. RenĂ© was craving the sea and wanted to dive into the cool water. After recent reports of several life threatening injuries he opted for a shorter jump over a 25m ledge boasted by this bar. Whilst I sipped happily on an apple juice worth £4 and nursed Ren's £5.50 beer! With the bar packed with Aussies on Busabout, lets just say it was just the one drink we stayed for.



Split
We arrived in Split late in the evening and took some dodgy accommodation near the train/bus/ferry station...the location was great but under no circumstances would I ever recommend this spot! We had a look around the city and enjoyed a delicious Italian feast in a piazza. The following morning we woke early to make our way to the island of Hvar which had been highly recommended to us as a great party town. We sadly missed the 11am ferry so opted for some of the concrete beach action to indulge in beach time and tried to relax. The heat was unbelievable and the water like a hike out at low tide in Kaka Point!

The following morning we made our way to the picturesque Diocletian Palace another UNISECO site. A stunning sea side Palace offering a great view from the rickety stairs of the bell tower. The Palace is an open air site with many nocks and crannies which make it a marvel. We took a tour of the underground section which until the 1950's had been used as a city sewer. It wasn't terribly remarkable.

Hvar
We took the ferry to Hvar at 3pm and made for the beach on arrival. To find a patch of beach to lie down on we ended up in a harbour of dingy's on our own. Not ideal but hey we had succomb to the idea that Hvar was not going to be what we had anticipated. We tried to make Hvar fun by having a delightful balcony drink as the sun set but the entire restaurant was full of twangy Ozzies and we felt like we should have been in the outback! With the ferry terminal on the other side of the island we got a bus to the port. Where we thought the party might have been...but no.

Maybe Croatia was a victim of my anticipation to return home to NZ and was just a bit of beetroot in the sandwich. Either way its pretty and touristy. I'm sure it'd be different from a boat too.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

ticking boxes has never been so enjoyable

Arriving in Vienna hadn't started well. The door to the train wouldn't open. Finding another open door, I was left with a mother and 1 year old with a Trunkie, no husband, 4 year old, luggage or money. Turns out the family were Hungarian-Australian and on their way to the airport Oz bound so doing my good travellers deed for the day packed Mum, son and Trunkie off to the airport in a shuttle. I really hope they all made it home together. I found my way to the hostel and then given the bright sunshine took to the streets having missed the opportunity to take photos of every other city in sun so far! I made my way to the central Basilica and then wandered the streets finding a Schnitzel house filled to the rafters, a ornate clock, music singing through the streets, pianos being practised on and some of the most beautiful shoes I have ever seen (fit only for Elton John let it be said!). The film festival on that evening started at 9pm and with a rain shower about to hit I opted f...

My My Myanmar

I have been touched, pinched, squeezed and had my back rubbed as I was sick. Myanmar is one phenomenal place which I have so much hope for. Hope for democracy, hope for development and hope for conservation, all in a gradual process without losing its authenticity. I have felt safe, with my large amounts of cash (remember no ATM’s so budgeting became a real past time of all travellers not just the “budget” ones) and in pilgrimaging crowds, in villages and on rickety hill top roads, travelling solo or in a crowd. Not once did I fear for my personal safety or that of my belongings. I had to stop myself on the first day from being so travel weary and closed. I had to trust. I had to open up and Myanmar may well have taught me one of my greatest lessons on my Big Adventure. captive in Myanmar There were moments of democratic desire, like an aged village monk carrying a bamboo log who stopped me to ask “Do you know Aung San?” to which I replied quietly knowing it was a very c...

Footsteps for the fallen

rDear Dad, Today has been the single best use of this day in the past 9 years. And I hope my story makes you proud of your little girl. Today at 12 noon being 1am on the 7th of March in NZ I set off on a half marathon around the Silverstone F1 track in England. I clearly had DAD printed on my left hand, my nails painted red and black and a capital A on my right hand. Who would have thought I'd be in Cantab colours! This was all the inspiration I needed to get around the track. I set off at a strong pace making the first 2 miles in 18.45. I was supposed to be running a 10 minute mile pace but like most long runs I needed the loo and that spurs me on. I stopped for the loo at 2.5 miles and this put me off entirely as the break must have been 4+ minutes. Alas I took the inclines, hairpin turns and celebrity participants in my stride. At 9 miles I felt strong as I ran down a gravel hill towards the last stretch to reach  the final lap on the track. I spotted my good friends Holly...