Coastal drive to Split, passing many seaside resorts/apartments, small bays with pebbled beaches and turquoise blue water. Massive Rocky Mountains rising up behind houses. Many Islands off shore. Managed to find good park in Split, headed into Diocletian Palace. This huge palace with a wall round outside is now filled with lots of shops, houses and cafes. All built within walls, arches and temples of palace. Roman soldiers add to the effect. Stinking hot, 37 deg...

Headed to old town Zadar to find somewhere to watch rugby, bumped into Irishman on the same quest, then joined by another Irishman and an Englishman. Found a bar to watch the game and were joined by a further 4 Irishmen, and later by an Englishman. We were completely out numbered. Game watched in good spirits and we all vowed to meet again in 12 years for a repeat !!! Drove to Trogir, gorgeous old town situated on an island in middle of large modern town. Wander...

8am start for 2 hour drive to Plitvice Lakes. Heaving with people by the time we arrived. Network of turquoise coloured lakes dropping down through series of waterfalls surrounded by forest of beech, fir and pine trees. We did a 5 hour circuit along extensive network of wooden walkways and paths zig zagging through the bush, lots of fish in the lakes. Walk included a couple of bus rides and a boat trip on one of the lakes in 36 deg heat. Crowds caused major tra...

Left at 8am for 3 and a hour drive on motorway to Zadar, through tunnels over viaducts travelling up to 130km an hour but still being passed by most other vehicles !! Roading system is very impressive, all toll roads, NZ could well do with this sort of system. Nav lady took us all the way to the Lazy Monkey hostel to find Hugo and Jack waiting. Great to see them both. All squashed into car and drivers visibility was greatly reduced by having a red gollywog in th...

Coastal drive to Hilltop village of Labin, this certainly was a hidden gem !! Cobbled alleys pastel houses with bright coloured umbrellas hung up between the buildings. From there onto Pula, Nav lady took us right through the centre of Pula, very congested, heaving with people and hard to find a park. Finally got one about 100m down from amphitheatre which was our target. This overlooks the harbour, built in 1st century with seating for 20,000. Very Impressive. P...