Anyway, its been a few weeks. The main thing that has happened: I have been to Croatia. It was a lovely country, very hot, nice women, nice food, lovely beaches. That basically sums it up. As I knew I wouldn't remember everything that went on, I kept a journal from leaving the airport on the first day until the plane flight back. Here they are.
Journal 1:
Got on plane around 3.30 UK time. Had a bit of a boring flight, listened to music and watched a tv program (mock the week :P )
Got to Dubrovnik airport around 8pm Dubrovnik time (time is 1 hour ahead here). Got met by the woman who owned the flat we are swapping with her for our house in Italy. Really interesting woman. Anyway, took around 30 mins to drive to the apartment. On the way she showed us the shop and old town from the top of the mountain which we drove on. Amazing sunset over the bay.
Got to the flat, unpacked a bit and got changed. Then we hunted down a restaurant cause we were all starving. About 9pm we left the flat and made our way around the marina. Found a touristy pizza place and had margherita and a beer. Lovely.
Stumbled back to the flat cause we were all tired and went straight to bed.
Journal 2:
Just woke up, about 12 noon. Lovely sleep. Next objective is to get up and go get some breakfast/lunch. We are probably going to go into the old town of Dubrovnik today. I'll try and get some sunglasses and maybe a watch if I can find one. Currency they use here is Kuna, which is weird. It's 8.2 Kuna to the pound, so my pizza last night (20 kuna) cost less than 2.50.
Anyway, after we left the flat, we went to the shop for basics like bread, milk, cereal, etc. Then we came back and pigged out on the food for about half an hour. Hung around for a bit then got a bus into the old town about 3. Loads of tourists, lovely town. Lots of pictures. Literally hundreds of stray cats around the place. Anyway, had a drink in the harbour and organised a boat trip for tomorrow.
After we had a drink we went around the old town to hunt for some sunglasses. Found a shop that sold a few pairs and eventually settled on a pair for 70 Kuna. Not bad, about £9.
After that we looked for a restaurant. Found a couple of expensive places that we didn't like. Eventually we found a nice little place down one of the side streets in the old town. Had spaghetti. Mmm.
Nice stroll back to the bus station. Got ice cream on the way. got bus back, walked to flat, changed into swimming shorts.
We left the flat and tried to find the beach. Instead we found another huge cluster of restaraunts, bars, and even an Internet Park. Loads of computers in a park. The only one in the world apparantly! Eventually we found the sad excuse for a beach, a 500 meter stretch of pebbles next to the sea. Anyway, we skimmed some stones and walked in the sea for a bit. Then we came back to flat and hung out for a bit. I read a magazine while they played cards.
In bed now. Got a boat trip early tomorrow so want to be nice and fresh for that. I won't even bother taking my phone with me tomorrow because:
A: I have decided there is no free wifi ANYWHERE in this town
B: I might drop it in the sea tomorrow on our boat trip.
C: Nobody has called me anyway :(
Journal 3:
Got up far too early today (about 8.30) so that we could catch a boat we had booked. It was a very nice boat trip, well worth getting up for. We were taken to an island off Croatia for an hour then we left. When we got to the next island half of us stayed on the boat while the other half went and had time on the island. Very nice lunch of freshly caught fish, free range chicken and local wine. After we had eaten and been on the island, we got back on the boat and went to the final island on the itinerary which was lovely. Rocky beaches, sandy beaches, loads of bars. We went to the rocky beach first cause the water was much clearer. Unfortunately I got a lot of sand in my eyes from under the water and we had to leave the beach and hunt down a bar for a bit of self imposed first aid and a bit of cold drink. Eventually I sorted my eye and then we strolled around a bit more until we had to return to the boat for the return journey back to Dubrovnik's old town where we had set off that morning. It was a great boat trip overall lasting 8 hours! Very good price too, €63/500 Kuna for all 3 of us, a boat trip with lunch and wine all included.
After we arrived back in town we went to a awesome looking place with really cool chairs (my sister is 12, ok?). I managed to find wifi there and had a quick check for emails etc. Only 4 emails, 3 mentions on twitter and a facebook message about James' party on the 7th August. Haven't recieved a single text or phone call while here but it is actually quite nice to be away from everything. Just relaxing in the sun and enjoying magazines and books and music and drinking.
Tomorrow is a lazy day. Nothing planned. Off to bed now.
Journal 4:
A late rise this morning, for we had nothing interesting to do. I got up about 11.45 then had a shower. After that, we had a bit of a brunch. Of course we couldn't spend the whole day doing that so we decided to go down to the beach.
I was ready within 10 minutes of course, but mum and Gaby being young women both had to "get ready". This required a shower, makeup, fresh towels, hair doing etc. So about 1.30 we finally left, half an hour after I was ready. Oh well.
Got down the beach about 2. We managed to get a spot right next to the sea which was nice. I took up a spot in the shade of our umbrella while the girls took up the two sub loungers to do what women do on sunny holidays, which is frazzle themselves in the sun. I sat there reading a book while they did the same except I didn't want to burn to a crisp (damn my ultra fair skin).
Most of the day I spent there sitting reading my book and listening to music and generally chilling. We somehow managed to stay there till 6.30, so then we left to get changed fo the evenings trip out. Got back to flat about 7, I got ready within about 15 mins while the girls showered (again), make up'ed and whatever else girls do inbetween showering and getting ready to leave the house. Eventually, after 2 hours at 9pm, we left and walked back to the seaside to find a restaurant. We settled on a beachside restaurant in front of a hotel in which there was a band that sang old classics and had the accent of typical Croatians. It added a nice twist to the singing of 'Ring of Fire', 'Viva Las Vegas' and even 'Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone'. Anyway, I had pizza, mum had pizza and Gaby had a disgusting carbonara. She had quite a bit with some bread to help with the taste. We then played some more cards after the meal was done and listen to the band sing some song originally sung by Eric Clapton that my mum loved. Apparently it was about his 2 year old daughter who fell out of a 5th storey window. Nice.
After the restaraunt, we went to a nice bar with swingy chairs that the other 2 just HAD to sit in. So I sat in the other boring chair and played Bejeweled on my phone while they played rummy cause I was bored of cards. Cause that is all we do every time we sit down, I get poked and a wide eyed sister of mine will say, "Got the cards?", and of course I oblige and give her the cards. But somehow I always got dragged into the same game.
After the place with swingy chairs came and gave us the bill cause they seemed to shut at midnight everywhere (why?) we went home and managed to finally find BBC world on the tv. Something about a huge oil price fall and how a bomb had gone off in Majorca. Not much happening then.
Now in bed doing this and listening to a bit of music before another random day tomorrow. Might head to another bit of the area that we haven't been to yet. Apparently it was the capital before some people left and started another one, incedentally called Dubrovnik. Now it is not the capital anyway. But it was.
Anyway really going to sleep now.
Journal 5:
Woke up late again today as usual. Had a shower, had a bit of brunch then we set off for Dubrovnik Old Town, from which we got the boat to Cavtat, the ex-captal of Croatia. It was very similar to the rest of Croatia I have been to. Anyway, we went off to a bar and had a drink. Then the girls wanted to go shopping, so I was dragged along into shops on the way to the beaches. My sister started being annoying and decided she wanted to sit right next to the water on the one beach that was unsuitable - one without shade. Cause me and my mum both burn really easily. So she sulked on the beach for half an hour while me and my mum took some shade higher up the hill. Eventually she came up and we found a better beach where we could relax.
After that beach about 5.30, we went bak to another bar for a drink and then caught the boat back to Dubrovnik old town. We found a little cheap restaurant, I had a lovely burger which made a nice change from pizza and pasta. Gaby had a burger too and my mum had.. a salad.
After that we started to slowly walk back to the bus station. On the way we stopped in a few shops, bought presents, I got an ice cream and we watched a little band for 15 mins. After that we got the bus back to the apartment and enjoyed some chill time watching tv, reading and talking.
Now in bed. Really really hot! Can't get to sleep! Anyway, I'll just play games for a bit till I feel tired. Late start again tomorrow so no rush to get to sleep!
Journal 6:
Today was a pretty average day. Got up about 12, just as the girls were leaving for the shop cause we were about to run out of various things. I got ready to go out while they went and then we had lunch when they got back.
After lunch and getting ready, at about 2.30, we left for the beach. Today was also by far the hottest day. Anyway, we dragged our feet down to the beach and found a nice place in the shade. My mum and sister also bought 2 pairs of goggles and a snorkel, so mr and my sister went snorkelling for a couple of hours. Lots of tropical fish under the water. Lovely experience. Then we got out of the water and chilled on the beach for another couple of hours, then about 6.30 we got home.
We got ready to go out then caught a bus to the city center. The buses were absolutely packed! We missed the first one cause it didn't bother to stop and the second one was quite a squeeze. We got into town, where we headed to a restaurant down by the harbour that we wanted to go to. We asked for a table and he lead us inside and we nearly stopped him until we realised there was a little terrace right next to the sea with only a few tables. Lively peaceful meal, then we left to have a look at the sea at night from a little lookout point just around the corner. We then headed back towards the only gate in the city, getting ice cream on the way. Unfortunately I got a bit stressy cause a few things were bugging me and all they wanted to do was go and have another drink while all I wanted to do was go home.
Eventually after waiting for the bus for 20 mins we managed to get on one and got back to the flat around 11.30pm.
Just went straight to my room, I had a few things to think about and stuff. Watched mock the week and Dragons Den in the past couple of hours while I have not bothered trying to sleep cause it is so hot. I think it is about 25°C. Now listening to sone chille music and will go to sleep after I have finished this journal.
Tomorrow - to the beach! Our last full day in Croatia, we will be going to the airport at 6pm local time on Monday, with our flight at 8.30pm, arriving in England at around 10.30pm English time. Won't be home till around 1am. Long day on Monday.
Anyway sleep time.
Journal 7:
We went to the beach today. Not much else. Got up late, got ready, then went out. Had another snorkel in the sea which was fun. We also had a very nice set of seats right next to the bar with some stairs down to the water.
After we had a few hours at the beach, at around 7pm, we left the beach and headed home. We got dressed etc and then headed out again for dinner. We walked down to the beach again and found a nice little restaurant that had pasta and pizza. Kept us happy. Then we went to some shops and I bought a wallet, my mum bought a necklace and my sister... didn't buy anything. We then got ice cream and walked home. Chilled in bed for a bit with a bit of TV (Mock The Week and Dragons Den :P )
Then now going to sleep. Night.
Journal 8:
Final day today. Got up about 10.30, had breakfast and packed a bit of stuff. Then we headed into town for a bit to enjoy some of the old buildings (yawn). Looked around a bit, saw a temperature display that said 38°C, sat at a bar and had a drink and some chips about 3.30, then headed back. Got our final ice cream on the way back. Then got the extremely hot bus and left the city.
Now just finished packing. Leaving in 10 mins. Next stop: Airport.
~~~~~
On airplane now. Got to airport, on the way talked to Asra (who's boyfriend owned the flat) who experienced the war in Ugoslavia a few years ago. Interesting story about how she left the country with an English family and didn't have contact with her family for years. Very interesting.
Anyway, got to airport, checked in, had sandwhich, went through security, spent every single Kuna we had (Croatian currency) then we spent some Euros on the Tax-Free Shop. I bought chocolate, my mum bought alcohol. Surprise surprise.
Then got on airplane. Got the last 3 seats together, which was good. Now listening to music and enjoying chocolate. Next stop - England then home.
Overall, I have really enjoyed this holiday. Really hot, really nice sea, nice food. Although the people could have been nicer, most were lovely. Enjoyed 2 boat trips and walking a lot. Lots of women in bikinis and nice makeup in the evenings was nice to look at but a bit depressing :P
There it is. Not incredibly interesting. But I also got some nice pics:
Some of my favourites:
Considering these were taken with my iPhone, I think they are alright :P
Anyway, nothing much else has happened apart from Croatia. Had to cancel my trip to the Tomorrow's web conference on Saturday ;-( because of a meal in the evening with my grandparents. It is their 50th wedding anniversary, so a really posh meal at a really posh place in really smart clothing. Should be fun. Get to see my uncle and his girlfriend as well, who we haven't seen in ages. Also going to a party later on today. Musn't drink too much otherwise my grandparents will suspect something (like i drink :P )
