Croatia!!!

Finally here. Ever since I heard about this place I had wanted to visit. What luck, I though, when my two room mates from Paris shared that same enthusiasm!

My interest in Croatia was first aroused when I went for dinner at a little restaurant in Macedon, a little country town west of Melbourne. Justine and Peter (the owners) and now good friends, own a few properties within the town of Trogir, a 30 minute bus ride from Split. With the promise of a great time and better price, I agreeded to 4 nights accomodation in their 3 storey town house called the Salona!

Arrived off the ferry from Ancona tired and in desperate need of a shower and beverage - preferably beer! So it was a quick ride to the town and we were there! The town is amazing. Feels like it's all ours - part of our backyard. You're literally able to walk from one side of town to the other within 3 minutes. No exageration! It's also UNESCO listed meaning it's a world heratige site. Everything there is in it's original format so it was like stepping back in time.

I have to mention the house while I'm here. The house was just amazing. A stone bricked building, with bright forest green shutters and doors it was the start of the street! Bottom floor was the kitchen/eating area, second floor belonged to the bathroom/sitting area (and if need be, third guest) and the third floor was the master bedroom. Plasma screen, air-con and massive kig size bed. Connecting all three floors was a custom made spiral staircase. It was pure bliss. A welcomed change from the 'ply wood' bunks I'd grown accustom to in the Hostels.

To pass the time there's loads to do. A 15 kuna boat ride to the local beach - there was an inflatable Corona bottle and everything. A visit to the castle (more of a look out point but castle sounds far better) or a bus ride to the town of Split. OR you can take a day trip to the waterfall come lagoon for around 300kn - for those interested, DO NOT go out drinking the night before beause you will not make the 9am departure the next day. There goes my 100kn deposit!

I feel like I'm rambling but I need to mention the food/night life. Food is amazing, don't make the mistake of thinking it's Italy and the pasta/risotto is going to be good - it's not. Their specialty is seafood and Dalmation (not the puppy. the beef) which is served in a type of cassarole with gnocchi. Delicious!! In terms of night life, there is one bar in particular that we just fel in love with. Set in a little square in Trogir is an open air bar. Mario is the man who knows everything there is to know about booze. Makes a great flaming lamborgini (they were free for us!!) and even does a show where he lights the bar and steps of the square's podium on fire! I think we were the last to leave that night. Which is probably why we missed the waterfall tour...

Anyway, if you're ever in Croatia don't miss Trogir or you'll regret it deeply!