Hotel Croatia Hvar

... so a lot of people in Split would have gone back to their villages or home town for the weekend.<br>Also explains why the graves in Zagreb looked so good the day too.<br>Went to Gaga which the barman at the first bar said if any place would be busy, that place would be and it was dead.<br><br>Saturday walked around the market, got Burek for breakfast and then up a bunch of stairs to get a good look over Split. <br>Such a beautiful ...

We were really excited to finally get to a Croatian island. We took a ferry from Split to the island of Hvar. It's a really small island where pretty much the only thing to do there is go to the beach. We didn&#8217;t have a place to stay booked because we knew about the "sobes." They are apartments locals rent out to tourists for really good deals (especially in October when it&#8217;s on the border of shoulder season and off season). The second ...

... it wasn't luxury, it was decent and we really enjoyed it. There was a couple from Switzerland who were in Croatia for windsurfing and we talked to them for a little while the following morning before we headed out.<br><br><br><br>Today has to have been the most relaxing day of the trip! We woke this morning and while we were having our breakfast, Matt spotted three dolphins swimming out in the water below us! We watched them for ...

... really not swim so off we went. Refreshing .... yes very refreshing. Definitely not the warmest warmer I have jumped into, actually quite chilly. But hey we did it, we were freezing, and our chest still hurt to breathe.<br><br>Port of the night was Hvar. They had a fortress that acted like a lookout and had some really nice landscape shots so Benny and I made our way up there. A little wander around town and a nice hot shower to get the salt out of the hair. We then found ourselves a ...

... yachts are right next to old local guys hauling in their daily fish catch and old wrinkled Catholic Croat ladies in all black shuffling about the market. I guess the one thing that seems to unite them all is that everyone here seems to be really fit. Maybe it's the Mediterranean diet of olives, fish, grapes, etc.<br>One nice thing about ...

... If not, I may have to come home a bit early (no chance of that happening actually as there is no way I am coming home during the winter). Anyhow, the day trip cost over $50. That equals my daily allowance. Croatia is definitely not backpacker friendly. I started reading Shantaram during the trip to Brac. I knew immediately after reading the first paragraph that I wouldlove the book. It is brilliantly written. Same writing style ...

... who I had seen at Villa Argentina in Dubrovnik. An evening nap, Phin's genius idea, serves us well to prepare us for the night to come. We start the night out with a slice of pizza and head to Carpe Diem for drinks. A few drinks lead to a few more and next thing we know we are headed to "The Castle" at 2:30 to continue the party. At this ...

... and the other on the gangplank, as if daring them to take off with Cameron still on board. Just as they were removing the ropes Cameron appeared, suitcase in hand with a happy smile on his face. Balance restored. By this time the others had left the restaurant and were coming to join us. We took the bag back to our apartment and Jess prepared to honour her commitment to the girls for a return to the park. Jean demurred and I could see that the long hours of travel ...

Hvar Island is, from my experience so far, paradise! Thus, we spent 5 nights there, our longest time spent anywhere so far. Arriving at Hvar just after midday, we dumped our bags in our apartment; yes apartment! A double room with a private bathroom, clean white sheets and an amazing view over Hvar town square and the marine for 100kuna a night!. Not so amazing were the 200m worth of steep stairs we had to climb in order to get to our apartment - Hvar is built into ...

... for it any longer! Today is is drizzling and cold, making me glad I didnæt decide to post back my warm jumper as well. The town is really pretty, with old medieval streets, topped by a Venetian fortress which gives great views over the harbour. THe seafood here is excellent, and there are many secluded little coves. Tonight I head to Korcula island, then on to Dubrovnik. WIll upload my photos when I find a faster computer