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It’s all over!!! – We’re home!
But to complete the story…
Our 2 days in Split were excellent. It’s a town very much worth visiting in it’s own right. The history of the places we’ve visited in the UK, France, Italy and Croatia is fascinating and makes Australia’s white occupation history period look very ordinary and insignificant. I tended to find myself looking at buildings that were newer than 250 years old as being of much lesser interest than those much older. I mean they’re nearly new aren’t they?
Many of the really old buildings (ie the Palace in Split) have been used ever since their construction including for everyday life and the stone and marble steps and floors have been worn smooth by countless footsteps from countless people from a myriad of backgrounds and powers over the decades. Today the Palace has been cleverly integrated with markets, accommodation and other little shops, which while sounding a little kitch, actually allows it to be enjoyed by all as part of every day life without taking away from its historical beauty or integrity. This seems to be common throughout Croatia and I loved it. Practical use of existing infrastructure by current
Split - Last days
After eating, it's swimming time. society while preserving the history. Perfect.
To stand there and gawk at the marvellous construction and architecture made me feel really quite small in the historical aura that surrounds these places. If the walls could talk we’d be deafened.
Both mornings spent in Split we wandered down to the seaside and ate breakfast in a little café right on the sea, served by a local uni student with the widest smile and friendliest eyes. We could then jump off the small sea wall in to the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, float around in the sea and wander back to the table for a second round before traipsing off to explore more of the old centre of town. In comparison to Italy, we found Croatia to be laid back and relaxed. Italy is fascinating and beautiful but the people are a tad more “intense”.
After leaving Feathers in Split (she was flying on to New York the next morning) we had a very crowded over-night ferry trip back to Ancona (Italy) and we drank a lot of whiskey to celebrate (commiserate) our holiday end.
Next morning, Janet Josh and Chris were due to catch a
Split - Last days
Enjoying my last float in the wonderful Adriatic Sea. train to Rome to catch their connecting flight to Dubai and had just 20 minutes to get from the Ferry to the train station (about 5kms away) to buy their tickets, find their train and get on it. We were fortunate in getting some inside help from one of the Ferry workers who told us where we should be positioned so we could make a quick exit off the Ferry (the actual exit points aren’t announced till quite late in the docking process). The info was good and we managed to be first in line. We gave the young lady a small tip for her help.
There was some serious pushing and shoving as more and more people realised where the “get-off” spot was now located and we had to be careful to defend our turf. It’s a pity this occurs, but is symptomatic of crowded environments I guess. I’m constantly amazed at how impolite and pushy some European tourists can be, but I guess it goes with the turf, and once you get over the initial hump, it’s relatively easy to deal with by being proactive rather than reactive (when in Rome, do as…..).
Richard, Kit, mum,
Margie, Katie and me were met by a pre-arranged people mover and driver who drove us the 350km to Rome airport with a quick lunch stop in between. It was cheaper than hiring 2 cars and provided us (me) a less stressful transit to the Airport. The scenery en-route was fantastic and as we approached some enormous snow capped peaks ahead, I pondered how the AutoStrada would cope with the terrain ahead. Well, it just goes through it! 10 km of tunnel (most others are less than 1km) straight under a mountain range. European road/transport infrastructure is unbelievable when put beside Australia’s and the budgets must be enormous. Sure the AutoStradas attract a small toll for their use, but when you consider the alternative secondary roads, they are more than worth it when time, fuel and distance become a factor.
We shared the same Emirates flight to Dubai from where we said goodbye to Mum, Richard and Kit for our flight on to Singapore (they flew direct to Perth). We were once again back to just the 3 of us and, we exhaled.
We had a 7 hour stopover in Singapore and, given the weather was hot muggy
and rainy there, decided to veg out in Changi Airport. Turned out to be a really nice relaxing way to spend the time. That place is a small city in itself anyway.
We were due to share our Jetstar flight back to Darwin that night with Janet, Josh and Chris (who had booked a later flight than us out of Rome), but their flight was late arriving and so they missed their Jstar flight. Good news is that Emirates were able to help them secure new flights with Jetstar the next day and so they are now home safely also. Emirates are my new most favourite airline (followed by Lufthansa). These guys really know what customer service is all about!
So we made it back to Darwin!!!
Margie’s sister Kathi (who had been looking after our house and zoo while we were away) was good enough to pick us up at 4.30am. I had been dreading getting home, but when it finally happened, it was really really very nice! The place was like a new pin, the animals looking fantastic and I really have very little post-holiday stuff to do!
Thanks Kathi!
I think it’s been much
harder for you than you might let on, but your care is very much appreciated!! We had only one major mishap while away….all Katie’s Guinea Pigs were killed by neighbours dogs including the two new babies. Kate had handled the news maturely while we were away and apart from the initial shock and inevitable tears, managed to forge on after a few hours. I’d like to think that maybe the travelling and the knowledge of what we’d seen has also helped her see the bigger picture…
Anyway – in summary – and from a personal perspective;
I’m glad I’ve been able to see first hand, some of the places I’ve read about since I was a child. Having travelled relatively little (overseas) in the past, I’m finding that every time I do now, it tempers my view on our own little anxieties we sometimes hold in Australia for our own little socio economic micro environments, and really makes me appreciate what we have – particularly our diverse natural environment.
Helps reinforce how we are simply a part of a diverse global community with so many wonders to celebrate and share. Finally thanks to all the pamily mob and their
patient partners for enduring another crazy and exotic extended family get-together.
They always have their moments and as the longest serving “partner” in the mob, (30+ years now…), Margie can well attest to the interesting dynamics that can occur…
Thanks for watching.
Bill Margie and Kate.
Now….where to next???
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The Big Trip
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