Caminokath part 3 - Croatia

This is a very different style of travel on this leg of my Adventure. Croatia is a complete unknown to me. I can't speak or read any Croatian, I have very little practical knowledge of this place so I am learning as I go. I did a fair bit of research planning where to go and how to get there, so I have a broad grasp of the history and geography etc. Arriving at the airport was uneventful and, considering the number of tourists Split receives, the airport was quite small. It was about the size of Ballina which was a nice change after walking miles at Madrid and Charles de Gaulle airports! Finding the local bus was easy, though being the only person off the flight to do so was a little surprising. It cost 17 Kuna to go all the way to the terminal in Split which was then about a small block from the apartment I had booked. Perfect. I had no idea however in which direction I needed to go for the apartment once I arrived and I was glad I had reinstated my Australian phone sim so I could call the owner. Tina gave the directions and I saw her in five minutes. I was very relieved. The place wasn't quite ready so I left my backpack and went for a wander. I found a little bar but I was soon rung and returned for the keys to the apartmebpnt.

The old lady who lives across the hall is 90 and is the owners grandmother. She is very jolly and greets me warmly. I greet her with English and Italian which seems to work better. Tina says the grandmother doesn't understand and she is a bit senile but she understands pleasantries and calls me Madame. The place is more a bedsitter or studio than an apartment but it does have a hot plate, sink and fridge as well as a small washing machine.  Luxury for someone who has been hand washing for weeks! Still the price is reasonable for this time of year and it is ten minutes from the centre of town. It is quite a nice building compared to many I have passed which look rather shabby. And it is quiet but convenient.

 Villa Spalatina. My room is the second floor window above the green door on the right.

I spent most of the first day getting washing and phone sorted. I caught up on emails and just got generally up to date.  Even travellers have maintenance and it requires being in one place for awhile without distractions. I went down town for dinner about 5:00 pm. The centre is the port where all the cruise yachts and ferries dock. It was seething with people all hauling suitcases or backpacks and cars waiting to board or disembarking. They are mostly younger travellers and lots of Aussies. It is a very casual sort of place. 

What I have noticed is there are heaps of public toilets with huge WC signs! I think it is very practical and helpful for tourists. Probably to cater for all the people from the boats.The old part of town is very busy with tourists, most of whom are just here for a few hours or a day. The cobblestones or rather flagstones are worn shiny by all the years of use.  The stone in the buildings is very light cream but it doesn't look like sandstone. 

 Diocletian Palace 

 On the promenade

The next day I slept in and then skyped home. It is hard when you are with other people to find the right time which is usually 9am to lunch time here. It was good to see and talk with every one and reassure Mum. I am feeling a bit homesick now so I know I will be ready to return at the end of the month. 

I went exploring the town again and took a bus ride around Split and it's surroundings. 

It is very hot so walking isn't entirely desirable. I have booked a tour of the Krka National park for tomorrow. Jan doesn't arrive till Monday so I am saving the fullI depth exploration till she arrives. I have scoped the ferry timetables for our next stop and generally feel good about everything. I decided not to go out for dinner as I had a large late lunch and so found the little supermarket and stocked up on yoghurt and fruit for tea. I have also discovered a delicious camomile tea which I am having instead of coffee! The yoghurt is  runny but has a good flavour and not sweet. Delicious. It is more economical to buy my own food and with the fridge and stove I can make tea and my own breakfast.