Blogs from Croatia, Europe - page 7

Greetings from Dubrovnik! We had a very early morning, getting up about 3:45 am. We showered, finished packing, and went downstairs to find Carolann (sorry Carolann I’ve been spelling your name wrong!) already up and the kettle boiled for tea. We had a cup of tea and Carolann made us each a lunch to bring with us - cheese (and pickle for me) sandwich, a bag of chips, and a chocolate biscuit. It was so thoughtful, and we really appreciated it. Carolann drove us to the Eastbourne train station with plenty of time to get our 5:20 am train to Gatwick. We were there shortly after 5 am, hoping that the coffee shop might be open, but not surprisingly, it wasn’t open that early. It was VERY chilly this morning, and since I didn’t bring any ... read more

Our shore excursion today was into Dubrovnik (the old oaks). Dubrovnik is one of the main shooting locations for the Game of Thrones. Mainly King’s Landing with a lot of CGI added. Basically a medieval town that had been conquered multiple times. When communism fell and Yugoslavia fragmented there was fighting to determine who controlled the other countries which are now Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina,. They were essentially bombed by their own army. The map shows the strikes that happened to this city. You would be hard pressed to find the damage today after all of the rebuilding. We visited a Dominican Monastery and a Catholic Cathedral that are both functioning. (we found it odd that the cathedral was not selling rosaries). During some free time in Dubrovnik we visited some stores and picked up a ... read more

Why Rijeka? Jeff has always wanted to dive at the Kantrida Swimming Complex, which features a spectacular world class springboard and platform diving facility with the Adriatic Sea as a backdrop. So, when the Croatian Masters Diving Championship was scheduled for at a time that did not clash with school, he eagerly signed up for the meet. To get to Rijeka, we took a short flight from Berlin. Rijeka is about 18km west of the airport, and our accommodation (and the pool) was another 6km west from the city center. We were planning on taking the local bus, but we lucked out as Jeff's friend and age group rival was on the same flight and he had rented a car. We scored a ride with him. As soon as we checked in to our rented apartment, ... read more

The Croats use a peka, a dome or bell-shaped terracotta, cast iron, or steel lid that is heated by burning wood beneath it. After it is heated, the food to be cooked is placed in a round tray underneath the peka. The peka is used primarily to cook fish or octopus. But potatoes and vegetables are always a welcome addition, often becoming the star of the dish (who else says that?). The potatoes tend to suck up the flavor of the meat or fish. Peka is an ancient technique, often using an outdoor fireplace, specifically built for peka. It is a slow cooking method, allowing the flavors and aromas to blend perfectly. It is believed to be an adaptation of primitive techniques of baking ingredients in clay, for people who could not afford ovens. Now, peka ... read more

After visiting countries around the world, not much can cause culture shock to me. But the experts say to be prepared when visiting Croatia. Croatia is a blend of at least four distinct cultures, with the Illyrian movement the most significant. Croatia is the origin of the cravat, or the precursor to what we know today as the modern necktie, though few wear them anymore. The first order of business is to register with the police within 48 hours of arrival, unless I am booked into a hotel or group tour. I am booked into both, with the first night in Split, then my cycle and cruise down the Dalmatian Coast. All tourists must pay a daily tourist tax, including Croatians staying away from their place of permanent residence! This applies to those staying in private ... read more