Drank a lot today; both Slovenia and Croatia lay claim to some of the safest tap water in the world, so Dubrovnik, just 40.5km from Montenegro, was all good, safe and still in Croatia. No sickness here.  Population 41,562 (census 2021), Dubrovnik welcomed about 1.5m tourists during 2023. The city dates back to the 7th century, it is famous for medieval Old Town, a UNESCO … Continue reading Dubrovnik, Croatia

It was a driving day, it’s late at night as I get around to writing this, so todays’ writing might be less writing and more pictures. But I will give it my best…..…. Croatia is a country of about 3.85million, at least 1.15 million more than NZ, and yet the roads and infrastructure here are incredible.  We headed up the highway where the speed limit … Continue reading Onwards to Split & Dubrovnik

The oldest continuously habituated city in Croatia, located along the Dalmatian Coast. The earliest evidence of human life comes from the late Stone Age times whilst numerous settlements date back to Neolithic. Population about 75,000.  MoD had booked us an apartment right in old town, which proved quite tricky to find, prompting him to wonder what on earth he had gotten us into. Can’t possibly … Continue reading Zadar

The oldest and largest national park in the Republic of Croatia.  Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. The lake system of 16 larger named lakes and several smaller cascading lakes occupies only 1% of the total area of the Park. The park is about 300km. Huge.  Recreational activities include walking, mountain climbing, rowing, skiing, sledding and snowboarding.  Today we chose to walk. … Continue reading Plitvice Lakes National Park – Croatia

Today was a total driving day. But first, a breakfast of champions, served from a wooden piano. Our driver took us to Umag to pick up our rental car. MoD wasn’t keen to engage too much in conversation on the 40 minute drive, claimed the driver talked with his hands. And he might have, but given how hard it was to organise transport from Piran … Continue reading Piran to Plitvice Lakes

We had the opportunity today to sleep in to an 11am checkout time. But there we were, wide awake at 6.30am and ready to say goodbye to our friends – again. Doug and Annabel are heading to Lake Como for a few days before leaving for home and of course we are heading to Croatia. Bye guys! Again.  Time to pack up and head to … Continue reading Piran!

We started the day with a drive to Postojna Cave.  24.34km long, it is the second longest cave system in the country. The caves were created by the Pivka River and first described in the 17th century. To get down to the caves we took a cute little train. So cute, you could buy stuffed trains in the mandatory gift shop on the way out.  … Continue reading Day 7 – Slovenia Cycle Tour – Postojna to Piran

In 2015 when I moved to Christchurch for a ‘year’ I bought a bike. I had a bike in Ballarat which hadn’t been ridden for about 24 years. Not knowing if I would stay, I didn’t want to buy a car. I became a cyclist. Baptism of fire. My work was 12km each way. On the flat. Four years later I bought a car, but … Continue reading Day 6 – Slovenia Cycling Tour – Smartno to Postojna

Today we popped into Italy. For lunch. But first, a breakfast of champions.  I have to admit, those donuts were the naughty part of breakfast. The breakfasts, and accommodations have been fabulous on this trip. All healthy stuff. I’m guessing because there are so many cyclists here they really need to make sure they provide decent food. I’m also guessing this country is pretty healthy … Continue reading Day 5 – Slovenia Cycling Tour – Smartno loop cycling

Started the day with a pretty cruisy bus ride up to the top of Vrsic Pass. Located in the Julian Alps, it’s the highest pass in Slovenia. Elevation 1611 metres. In 1915/16 the Austrian army engaged 10,000 Russian prisoners of war to build the road from Kranjska Gora over Vrsic Mountain Pass to Trenta. In March 2016 more than 100 prisoners and some Austrian guards … Continue reading Day 4 – Slovenia Cycle Tour – Vrsic Pass to Bovec