So long Croatia

Sigh. Vacation is over. I am at the airport in Dubrovnik waiting for my flights to Rome, and this is unexpected as I was I was supposed to be going to Venice... here as usual in my travel plans, Venice "is problem". For those of you who travel a lot, the deep exhale of someone checking you in, followed by "is problem" is NEVER a good thing.




I spent the day is wondering around the old city of Dubrovnik, absolutely amazing. I also jumped on several ferries and small island taxis and ran around between the islands of Lokrum and the Elephite Islands.






The most fun yesterday with meeting a couple of girls from New Zealand. They were a riot! I had a great time with them wondering around and helping them slip and slide all over the rocks that are what they call "beaches" here in Croatia.





So right now I am waiting on my flight and I have no idea what it's supposed to arrive. I know I have to re-checking in Rome but my bag seems to be happy going off to Venice without me. I'm a little concerned. But what can I do? There's nothing in the bag that I cannot replace. I'm sure I'll get to Venice tonight I will be fine. Doing my positive thinking.

The hotel in Dubrovnik, (well actually it was a guest House), was run by the most fun family ever. The mother was a lost, younger, Gabor Sister, who used the word daaaharling every other sentence. No daaaharling, sit, sit, we settle daaaharling bill later, daaaharling. I loved her!




Dubrovnik did get very crowded, when the cruise ships arrived. I can't imagine having to deal with that every day. I think that's why some of the locals have become honey badger locals. They just don't give a a sh*t about what needs to happen if they are in the way of your picture, too bad, honey badger don't care.

Of course the Germans have to run everything. Or try to run everything. They got on the bus with me in Split to come to Dubrovnik. They were late and they had no seats for them even though they were clearly assigned seats. There tickets show a seats number. They must have a seat. We have to have a seat!!! The panic started to mount for them.

Well nobody in the bus was paying any attention to seat numbers except the Germans. Power lesbians from Düsseldorf. They made the people sitting in their seats get up... which caused the entire Bus to go into a German version of musical chairs with everyone now scrambling to change seats. I dug deep deep into my German vocabulary and used several choice words on them. Honey badger didn't care.

I really do see why people get annoyed with them for traveling

All in all this is been a wonderful trip it's been beautiful weather I cannot complain about the food, the people I've met along the way. I am going home now rested and relaxed and going to enjoy my house for little bit thank you all for following me and I will be in touch.

Location:Dubrovnik

Hvar-ing a good time.

Because of high winds (and by "high" I mean "a fantastic breeze") I'm going to just perch in my hotel here in Hvar today.












A quick hour on the fast boat from Split is where I'll be for the next few days. I've got Adele on the iPod and books and Movies. My plans to take the boat from here to Dubrovnik have been a little foiled as this boat only runs twice a week. Neither day works for me so I have to go back to Split and take a bus. Ugh. More big drunk smelly patrons. And way way too close to the Bosnian border for me.








Look at the Sea.








See!!! Just taken. "huge, roaring surf". Ha.

Speaking of Split, is it me or is this just the wrong name for your boat? It's just rude and (thanks to Maleaha Creighton) I giggle. Thanks to her I can't even eat "fish tacos" with out giggling.











On the crowd: There are quite a number of Singaporean tourists here. Bizarre. I recognize the accent and the attempt to try and fit in. It's painful, but they do stand out. I've also just noticed that there is a complete lack of Africans selling fake crap and constantly looking around for the police. These can be found in every major European city, but oddly not here. Again bizarre.

Totally unrelated segue, promise, but I'm thinking that Split just might, might think of reworking their flag. And don't give me this "historical" argument, this whole country had a complete reboot/do-over in 1991.










Just sayin'

Ah.. House keeping is done with my room... Time for mid-morning nap.

Location:Šetnica,Hvar,Croatia

Split: the difference

Split Coatia is certainly a little more busy than Rovinj. However it was busy in a good kind of way. I got to relax on the beach (and by "beach" I mean a bunch of rocks and gravel) and enjoy some blazing hot sun. Got a little color on my skin and explored this very busy port.










I spent yesterday going to Šupetar on the island of Brač. I just love typing the funny characters on my phone. A sweet little island with not a lot to do except relax. Perfect. The ferry there and back, a total of about $USD 6.








Next it's off to Hvar for a little more relaxation. It's hard to believe that I'm now in the home stretch of this vacation but it has been lovely. My little set of ferry boats are ready to carry me away.









P.s. It's was a bittersweet day for me. I'm in one of the most stunning places, and I've ever been and I've just heard that my friend Bo has passed on. There are lots of fundamental reasons that this has affected me but the basis of my sorrow lays in the fact that He was just too young and too gentle of a soul to have left us.







Bo, this is for you. Rest now...

Location:Morgupova poljana,Split,Croatia

Croatia, can you see?

Two lovely days in Rovinj. Waking up with seagulls. Being escorted from island to island by dolphins. Relaxing in the center of the old cobbled roads with a scoop of simple Vanilla Gelato. Life is good.


I spent the last day today up in the Istrian Hilltops in a town called Motovum. Look it up. It really is a castle in the sky. The perfect end of everything was the Wine Tasting and various dried hams and Cheeses in the White Truffle capital of the world. BTW Olive Brandy...who knew?




It is weird being in a country where none of my languages can even possibly help me decipher the signs. I can fumble my way through a lot of languages to get the basics. Even Greek and Russian are 'simple' when you break the code and figure out what they can mean. But Croatian ....nada.




For example. It took me a good 15 mins to figure out this sign... What was a Bo Show and why was it Le Bo.... Hint. The star is a missing letter. Hmmm.

What else am I learning on this solo trip? It's been fun watching the Italians arrive late for EVERY tour departure. This sends the über-punctual Germans into a fit, while the Brits make snarky comments. Good luck with that whole EU thingy.

And speaking of the Brits, when did they become such frickin' experts on everything? Really? If this place looks so much like the Scottish lake district, but 'not as nice'...why are you here?

And finally. WHAT THE HELL DO OLD FRENCH LADIES HAVE TO TALK ABOUT? They prattle on endlessly about the most mundane nonsense. But they never shut up...ever... I suppose that could be said about me now,.. So I'm signing off...

Ps. Who introduced Crocs to Europe???




Everywhere! Noooooo!

Location:Istrian Peninsular.

O solo Mio.

So three fantastic days in Venice. It real is as amazing as everyone had made it put to be. A fantastic working city on the water with a luscious past and a PRETTY present. Being on my own I got to eat and walk around the city at my own pace and I only indulged in Gelato on my Birthday. I was very proud of myself.

I flew over on Delta. Those of you who know me know how much i dislike them. Still have not seen this "love of flying that they love to show". Nt to me they don't. I knew it was going to be a rough crowd when the Stewardess (I'm sur she was trained in the 40s and was hired as one) leaned in and asked "Mr. & Mrs Kushner" what they wanted to eat... "Mrs" Kushner quickly corrected her with a thick "Dawk-tah"... I settled on for the flight while the granny next to me burried her head in the Jewish Week newspaper (who knew?) and patiently waited until sundown to order her meal.

I've had perfect weather. Rihanna has kept me company at every stop along the way (they love her here) and the views and food have been lovely. I scored a hotel room right next to the Rialto Bridge (lovely) and sipped on my cafė latte with the well dressed in St. Mark's.






Some people just should not travel. The Midwestern couple who commented that the Gondolas here were not "as nice as the ones in Vegas" or the Nurse from Utah who complained on our tour that the guide spoke "American" to quickly and with a funny accent. These people should not leave home.

Highlights of the trip were the day tour of Murano, Burano and Torcello. I happened to be here for day 1 of the binanle and even got an invite from Mr. Bernard. Sadly I was about to jump on the ferry (where I'm typing this) and was very inappropriately dressed for the occasion.

On to Croatia....

Location:Venice