Up at 6am again.
Just to let you know, I'm not doing that on purpose.
My alarm is set for 8.30am.
( And it scares the living day lights out of me when it does go off.)

Walked to the Riva.
Watched a big cruise ship manoeuvre into place.
Another just stunning day.
This is my absolute favourite time of the day here.
Hardly anyone about yet.
Perfect blue sky over the water.
And so very, very peaceful.
I just sit on one of these amazing white seats and take it all in.
Love it.

I've had breakfast.
Doing some washing.
And then going to walk up Marjan Hill.
Leaving about 8.30am to beat the tourists!!

Taking the selfie stick.
This will be interesting.

Oh, and walking up the hill today because my legs are a bit sore.
Decided to put the climb up the Bell Tower off for another day.

Hey, Andrew ... I'm off to Cafe Vidilica!

Slight hold up.
Selfie stick not working.
Found the instructions.

Yep, I packed them.
( Really, I knew I'd need them.)

There's an on/off switch.
Who knew?
That's better.
All set now.

And I'm off.

I got a tip from Petra at Reception.
She told me to walk past the fountain and up that road, thereby avoiding all the steps.
And just take the route with the steps on the way down.
Much easier.

No.
I had steps on the way up.
And quite a few of them.
Must have missed the turn off.
Anyway, it was a great walk and surprisingly warm at that time of the morning.
Found Cafe Vidilica and the wonderful view from that vantage point.
Then walked on to the next lookout.
Took photos and selfies!

Then walked on.
Found a tiny little church.
It was absolutely beautiful.

Walked on and up several tracks.
Lots and lots of steps, but no view to speak of.
Apparently, over the other side of the hill there are magnificent beaches.
I walked for about quite a way up paths and through scenic bush land but not what I was after.
Also, I was the only person on this hike and decided it was too deserted for me so decided to turn back and just enjoy the view of Split.
After a very long walk back, I took a seat in the shade at Cafe Vidilica and ordered a very large bottle of water.
" Very cold, please."
And sat quietly taking in the view.
The view is just amazing from up here.
You can see all of the waterfront, the pedestrian Riva with this magnificent palms, the Bell Tower and Diocletian Palace.
And, I could work out where the Jupiters Hotel was.
Spectacular.

Walking down the steps later, I talked to 2 ladies from Sydney.
We had quite a chat.
Emily, she looked in her bag for her map and said, "I always open the wrong zip on this bag."
Closer inspection ....
Same bag that I have.
The lady and I decided we are tossing them after this trip!

Wandered Riva.
Back to my room and rang both Mum and Emily.

Regrouped in the air conditioning
And then off in search of the Vestibul Hotel.
Asked at Reception.
They seemed a bit loath to direct me there but we got there in the end.

Andrew, that trip took me 2 minutes.
Your hotel backs onto that wonderful round building with the huge round opening in the roof!
( which probably has a name!)
I think I'd walked past it many times already.

I went in and thanked the girls for delivering your chocolates and my note OK.
She remembered the email trail.
I'm not surprised she remembered!
We had a lovely chat and then I wandered around.
It was beautiful.
You will see from the photos that I touched your wall!
And stood at your front door.
Sorry....
I wish you were still there too.

Wandered.
Shopped... (Fridge Magnet)

Oh!
Sat for lunch in a restaurant on the Riva.
Yep.
Actually, really needed to sit.
People watched.
Went to the underground market at The Palace again, because it was cool in there.

Wandered around.
Found an antique market ... outdoor.
Just on the quiet road outside the Golden Gate, opposite a wonderful park.
Had lovely chats.
Long line of stalls, so much stuff.
Really fascinating.
So much you can't fit in a case though.
Bought a brooch.
It just appealed to me.

( Mum remember that donkey and angel brooch that Warwick gave me years and years ago?
I know it's really strange, but this one reminded me of that brooch.
Wait til you see the photo.
It's a bit weird.)

Attached myself to a tour group at the Golden Gate and heard a lot of history.
Have a look at the photo.
The Romans would let the enemy storm into this quadrangle, then drop the gate down.
See where the hidden gate would have slid down?
And then they would just stone them to death.

Saw a magnificent statue of a Holy Man, Grgur Ninski.
This massive statue was made in 1929 by Ivan Mestrović.
Grgo Ninski was a 10th century bishop who stood up to the Pope insisting that Croatian language be used to promote prosperity and education among the people instead of Latin.
Ostracised, he prevailed and helped Croatia develop its own identity.

This statue was removed and cut into pieces in WW2.
It's a massive statue.
And the pieces were discovered in a dump and welded back together after the war.
It looks absolutely stunning outside this city gate.

Listened to a busker singing "Hallelujah" in Croatian.
Simply beautiful ... and the acoustics inside the round stone room were amazing!
Further on, in the narrow alleyways, I heard people still singing it to themselves as they walked.

Wandering back saw the most magnificent statues of ladies in elegant gowns.
Local artist.
They looked great.

Bought tea to have in the room.

I have my bottle of wine on ice, but I don't really want to just sit in my room and drink it.
I am hoping on Thursday to have a room with a balcony in Trogir.
That's where I am having my wine.

No qualms eating the chocolate in my room though.
Seriously demolished that box after the walk up the hill.
( Second breakfast.)

That's it.
Great day!

Xxxx