Tag Archives: Split

Different experiences

imageDomestic duties often occupy exploring time while on holiday or can be part of the whole holiday experience. Mike and I set off to deliver the washing to a laundry service. The little blue dot danced around on the gps as we walked up and down to find the laundromat. Finally after muddling for quite awhile, we discovered it was in an alcove in the middle of the markets. No drop off today ,said her neighbour. I show you how to do it. So tokens added, washing added, machines on, 51 minutes. You go have coffee. So we did and sat with the elderly male locals as they drank coffee, read papers and chatted to their friends.

Meanwhile, Pauline and John prised the car out of its spot and headed to the  Krka National Park. As I told you a few days ago, it has beautiful waterfalls and lakes similiar to Plitvicka Lakes. I am reliably informed that it was beautiful. John had a catastrophic phone failure and so could not send me photos. Pauline agreed they were stunning so we will believe them even without proof.  They watched a water powered mill grind flour, saw traditional costumes and fabrics and tasted local nuts and figs. The waterfall is powerful enough to run a hydroelectric system. It was started at the same time as an identical system at Niagara Falls.

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This is this is the view of Split that greeted us on our walk into The Marjun Park area on the peninsula at Split. The park is a favourite for Split as it accommodates a variety of activities . Along the coast fringes , there are swimming areas with man made dirt beaches. Bikes can move safely ,as can joggers , as limited car traffic is allowed. While we were there, bikes, joggers, people doing yoga or meditating, climbers, hikers , swimmers and slow walkers  like us, all used the park. The views are magnificent.image

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Pathways vary from gravel to concrete to the original stone. Edging these are drystone walls. Settlement of the area was in the 13th century. Hermets lived up in the rocks and remnants of their homes can still be seen.image

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This  little chapel is still in use ,but look beside it . A hermet priest built and lived in this house hollowed out of the rock walls.

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image See the windows on the side of the cliff.

This is another hermet’s home. You wonder how they climbed up ,and then , how they managed to carve the houses out of the stone.

image     Plants also seem to grow in odd places

 

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Just below, on terraces were houses and market gardens. Great views of the ocean as you tend your garden.image

 

 

 

 

 

When we returned , there were two Roman centurions checking out the tourists image

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I’m sure he went that way
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You need to look carefully or we’ll miss him.
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With all these tourists, it’s just too hard to spot him. What will we tell the boss?

 

 

 

John and Pauline arrived back, just a little stressed. The drive on the freeway, too busy at the Park, difficulty finding street? None of those, it was parking! The streets are so narrow, one car can only travel up at a time. Meet another car, one has to relent and back. It took a few journeys up and down the streets before John could safely park. Not the place to have a big car!

 

Sunshine,ocean , the new St Tropez?

image image So different when not dodging raindrops. Split turned the sun on today. The temperature soared, sunscreen was applied and we headed off.

imageI have great respect for non English speakers travelling overseas. We have found that most places, people can understand us even  if they don’t speak English. Today we wanted to go by ferry to Hvar. To find out times, how to return and cost was a mite tricky as there are two ways, car or catamaran.ferry. Times were confusing on the timetable, and we had to ask a few different people to understand it. Success, we presented ourselves at 8.00 am. got tickets and at 8.30am left by car ferry to a town near Hvar, caught a bus and we were there. Coming back was easy as we caught the catamaran bounced over the waves and returned safely. It was definitely like being on a roller coaster. Split harbour looked stunning.

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Hvar was a trading centre for sage, lavender and olives. It was built as a walled fortress town with a castle at the highest point. image image

The city walls were modified in the 13th,14th and 15th centuries to suit the changing needs of the port. Now it entertains people from all over the world and has been called the new St Tropez. With its mild climate and gleaming water. I can understand it being a popular destination for people escaping the cold.

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image      Brilliant blue water, boats, fishing, walks down narrow streets to find hidden gems, swimming, what more could a holiday maker want.

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We certainly enjoyed sitting at cafes with holidaymakers and locals, then wandering through the gardens and narrow streets.


Returning to Split, we recovered from our bouncy ride in the catamaran with coffee and Split cake, a hazelnut meal and fig combination. Dinner was with the locals on the waterfront,eating sesame coated fish  and chips followed by ice cream. Life is soooooo tough when you are on holiday. Tomorrow, John and Pauline are heading back to  Krka. They are trusting us to behave and we are going to pretend to be locals, walk a little, drink coffee, sit and people watch. As I said , life’s tough when you are a traveller.

Rain, rain Split!

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Seaside locations along the road from Zadar to Split. Look beautiful don’t they , and they are pristine just like the Gold Coast used to be, before it was developed. Now don’t get excited , there are no beaches only rocks and dirt. See those storm clouds, sorry we did not stop to check out the water temperature for you ,or the facilities. I know as travellers , we have failed you,  but there it is. The sea does keep the land close warmer though,  because in every nook there were olive trees and grape vines. Also here,  they seemed to have cleared the land of rocks ,and then used them to create small sheltered fields.

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imageKrka is a National Park between Zadar and Split. It is known for its beautiful waterfalls, lake, fortress ruins and an island with a historical monastery. Ahhhh, more stunning photographs and, how far did you have to walk? A mere two km around to the waterfalls, but remember those rain clouds. Think sleeting rain, lightning and thunder. You guessed it , we got there and then ,knowing you would like us to keep safe, had coffee and left for Split.

Suzi, of Apartment Suzi,  was waiting for us in Split and even,  found us a free park. Not an easy feat in a city that is built on levels,  around medieval and Roman ruins. They are impressive, I’m sure you will agree. Restaurants and modern shops are tucked and built into the spaces of the old buildings.

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Tomorrow we are hoping for sunshine , as we are planning to catch the local ferry to the island of Hvar. This is suppose to have fairytale architecture and is located two hours by ferry from Split.