2:45am, what a way to start a new adventure, having to jump out of bed, sling your massive backpack over your shoulder and race down to a bus station to get a transfer to the airport.

I arrived at Gatwick airport, tired out of my mind for my Easyjet (yes, can't believe I'm flying with them yet again) flight, I dropped off my massive bag and boarded my flight to Split. As soon as I was in my seat I fell asleep. Yes, I think the novelty of flying has definitely worn off because I didn't even wake up for take off.

I woke up as the captain was announcing we would be landing in an hour and a half, I looked at my watch, four hours since we had left London or was it? Turns out the flight had been delayed due to fifteen no shows and they had to take all their luggage off the flight. I hadn't even woken up for that.

We landed in Split and I jumped off the plane into the first new country I had been to in six months. The scenery, even around the airport was amazing, the airport was surrounded by beautiful speckled hills and red roof tops, I guess that's why they call it the Dalmatian coast.

I managed to find the shuttle bus into town and got off at the bus station, after walking around for about half an hour I resolved to get a taxi to the bar where I was supposed to collect a key for the staff apartment. I found Paradiso Bar with no trouble and got the key from the manager, Igor and he ad one of his waiters walk me right to the door of the apartment, already more helpful that eastern Europe I thought. The apartment was on the top floor and I really struggled getting up the stairs with all my stuff.

My expectations were low, staff flats are always s*** holes, I told myself, remembering the Absolute Africa staff flat in the industrial area in Arusha, with sometimes no hot water or electricity or both and attached to a truck yard. And who could forget the rats nest that was the Fez staff flat? I remember coming home after one tour and there was water cascading down the stairs and all the doors and windows were open.

I walked into the apartment and I was blown over, this place by comparison was amazing. Three proper bedrooms, an actual kitchen, bathroom with separate shower and toilet, wifi and even a dining table! There is a balcony from which you can see the sea and see out over all the cute little red rooves and see into the central courtyard of the apartment complex. I chose a room, with another view of the sea, with a big pine tree in front of the window and swallows circling around the rooves.

I had a shower, did some washing and got cleaned up after my long trip and then had a bit of a nap, which I thought was well deserved. I then went out to get my bearings and had a walk along the pretty water front and got some dinner. I already noticed the difference between here and Russia, everyone was smiling and no one looked at me because I was too….this really is going to be an entirely different experience.