Many of you will guess from my surname that my ancestry hails from Croatia, although it was still Yugoslavia when my grandparents left to make the journey to South Africa. It was only a matter of time before I made the pilgrimage back to the land of my forefathers. Croatian is only one part of my ancestry, but that’s a conversation for another day.
Having seen many brochures and sailing magazines depicting the beauty of the country, Anneli and I were blown away by the place. The hospitality of the people we encountered was incredible, warm and welcoming and as we later learned, eight days is not enough to even scratch the surface.
The itinerary was to spend two days in Split (my grandfather was born nearby), then three days on the island of Vis, two days on the island of Brač and then a final day back in Split. There was way too much to see and do, but we made a good fist of what we could get to see in that space of time. Croatia is a place that needs time to explore, and you cannot do it justice in a short visit. We are going back.
Favourite things:
- Cruising around Vis with Mrs M, on two Scooters.
- Peka – slow cooked lamb or octopus in a Peka, covered with coals
- Croatian hospitality
- Falling out of my sea-kayak for the tenth time (they’re made for dainty people)
- History of Croatia – Roman history, military Tunnels.
- Stiniva
Vis Harbour
Having a coffee while planning the best way to tackle the city of Split
Window shutters galore
Trg Republike – Split
Trg Republike archways – Split
Gargoyle Art – Split
Narodni Trg – Split. A great little plaza to start your exploring
Zlatna Vrata – Golden Gate, Split, Croatia
Old gate and walls, Poljana kraljice Jelene, Old Town, Split
Bougainvillea beauty
The Cathedral of Saint Domnius known locally as the Saint Dujam (Sveti Dujam)
Street dining in the shadows of the Old Wall, Split
Street dining
Preparing for the night rush, Narodni trg
The old wall at night
Mrs M 0n the Ferry from Split to Vis. About a two-hour journey
Lemon beer for the journey
Vis Harbour, Croatia
Our Beach. Five minutes walk from our Airbnb apartment
The front porch. Hanging bed, stone garden and view of the sea
Both great places to visit
Vineyards galore. My favourite fruit – giving its life to make wine.
The odd bullet hole
Komiža, Vis. Another breathtaking little town
My obsession with doors and windows continues
Old fisherman, Komiza, island of Vis
Kilometres of military tunnels were commissioned by Josip Broz Tito after WWII and can be explored if you can find them
Mrs M taking a closer look at one of the tunnels we found leaving Komiza
Stiniva beach and cove.
Old and the new. My obsession with photographing scooters continues
Flower Market – Split, Croatia
You just have to try the Octopus slow-cooked in a Peka
Croatian dining
Worn cobblestone walkways – Split, Croatia
Murals, Split
Of course, street art is always welcome
The National Flag
Old transport
More street art. I can never walk past it without photographing it
Canon on all our travels.
All kinds of blue sea
Town of Bol on the Island of Brač. Catching the ferry.
Such a good set of images. Looking forward to our next visit.