(18) When I arrived at 7:00 am, I made friends with Riwfka at the airport and we caught a cab together into Zadar with a Canadian hockey player from the airport. She was leaving later that day so left her bags with mine at the hostel and we went off to explore the Old Town. Zadar is a nice place with cute, white cobblestone streets. We were both exhausted from late nights/early mornings so we went to the beach (of rocks) and snoozed. I burned my butt, stomach and legs where my shorts normally cover even after putting on sunscreen three times! We started talking to Horaccio, a Mexican guy who drives a bike pedal taxi. He speaks seven languages and was just in Croatia for a couple months doing that because he loves it here. He gave us a free ride to the Ild Town!

When Rifwka left, I went to a pub nearby the hostel to catch the Croatia vs. Spain Eurocup game. There was an empty chair so I ended up sitting with two Croatian guys, Marin and R... It was fun sitting with locals because you really get into the game! This was a big game too - it determined whether they stayed in or out. Unfortunately, they lost. People are really into their football here! They have all these songs dedicated to it and everyone busts outs their red-and-white checked Croatia jerseys. And SO loud and passionate! I don't even watch the football, just everyone around me. Oh, and did I mention Croatian women? They are absolutely gorgeous. I don't think I have seen so many good looking people in my life! You don't even notice the guys (they are good looking too) because the women are just so stunning!

(19) I accidentally slept in, missing the only bus out to Plizvica National Park. Ugh. I was sitting in the Internet room of the hostel trying to figure out what to do next when I overheard that some people there had a car and were headed there. Being nosey, I asked if I could hop in with them. Todd and Nancy are married, teaching ESL in Spain and Jenn's husband just left the day before to go back to Georgia, so they had a spot. I left my backpack in Zadar because the hostel owner told me there wasn't a bus from there directly to Split. We made the three hour trek out to Plizvica. Turns out the last bus leaving there was 5:00 pm. I wasn't too worried though - they had an extra bed in their room as a result of Jenn's hubby leaving. I met a group of Aussies and Canadians who were doing the trail I wanted to do. I was actually going at a pace to make the bus, but the ferry to transport you back was late (nothing seems to be on time here). So I stuck with the group and in total we did a 12 km hike. So gorgeous there! All the insanely clean, clear, sparkling blue lakes are lined with a board walk and there are so many waterfalls! So happy I decided to stay longer. I went with the group back to the entrance where I thought I came into, but turned out to be 16km away from where I needed to be. There were no buses headed to Grabovac, where the Americans were staying. I went to the fire station and they gave me a complimentary ride back to the B&B, House Tina (such a nice accomodation - highly recommend!). Todd, Nancy and Jenn didn't actually think they would see me again! I am very blessed to have met them, they made my trip! We had a glass of wine and played cards, a fun night indeed!

(20). I caught the bus to Zadar to pick up my backpack (in hindsight - so stupid to have left it there) and took the bus to Split. I didn't do much sightseeing there because I was trying to figure out a cost-effective way to get to Greece to meet Pat. We were supposed to backpack together there for a week. I was so discouraged! I learned the hard way transportation in Eastern Europe is not easy, timely or necessarily cheap. Poor organization on my part, but I have been spoiled by the West for the past two months and assumed it would be a breeze. In the end, even though I felt awful, I decided not to go to Greece.

(21). I caught the two hour ferry (45 kuna) from Split to Hvar. Everyone sits up on the roof and tans themselves. I opted for the shade and sat with some lovely Columbian girls. Hvar is lovely! With a population of 4,000 in the Adriatic, it is definitely becoming a tourist hotspot. Trees with purple flowers everywhere, white buildings, white cobblestone streets, yachts pulled into the harbor! There was even a yacht worth $30,000,000! There are so many stairs! As you climb up, you begin to overlook the city/Adriatic. It's built into a hill/mountain. I got to the hostel (beautiful again with a balcony overlooking Hvar) and met three American guys, Jeremy, Zac and Taylor - who I had seen earlier on the ferry. Jeremy, Taylor and I trekked down to a beautiful beach to go for a swim. Ahhh! Every time I get to go in the water I get so excited! After we all went out for supper - I had a tuna steak fresh from the ocean that day and it was SO good! And the prices are so reasonable too! Right down the street there are two clubs, Keva and Nautika so we went dancing! Here is the cool part - went these places close down at 2 am, a boat starts running to a little island, Carpe Diem beach, an outdoor club surrounded by beach with a pool, couches and a tiki hut theme. Everyone stays up to watch the sunrise, which was absolutely beautiful; the sun rising behind Hvar reflecting off the Adriatic.

(22). The boys and I rented a little 6 horsepower motorboat for 350 kuna to go out to Paklenski Otoci, a collection of islands a short distance away. We got the gears from this little Croatian man who owns the boat for being a bit later than we thought we would be. We didn't have to sign waivers or anything, and after we were way out on water I realized we didn't have lifejackets either! The island we went to was gorgeous! There were these platforms in the trees with bean bags in them and people were just lounging in them. Paradise!

(23). We got up early to catch the bus to the ferry port for an eight hour ride to Dubrovnik, coined the "Pearl of the Adriatic". The ferries are decently nice, with restaurants and a lounge area inside. Everyone sets up camp and sleeps on the floor. It was so hot out too, 37 C! Arriving in Dubrovnik, my guest house picked me up right at the port - I was staying about three kilometers away from the Old town! I caught the beautiful sunset and fell into bed exhausted!