Saturday, 29 June 2013

Croatia Opatija Friday 28 June 2013








We are off to Krk Island today with a local guide Sandra, who took us on the same trip last year.
Once again we are away at 09:00 and stay off the motorway as we drive through Rijeka past the magnificent outdoor swimming pool and football stadium. This must be one of the best located football stadiums around as it is perched right on the rocks overlooking the sea.
The city itself, Croatia’s third largest, is busy and looks interesting so may have to do a half day here next time.
We follow the coast around the medieval town of Bakker before driving towards Krk. Krk island is reached by a bridge with an 81HRK toll and is long and high with a smaller island in the middle. I’m always glad to reach the other side as I’m not too keen on bridges!
It is warm but cloudy today and Sandra tells us she is 99% sure it won’t rain.
We reach the beautiful town of Krk and it is raining!!
She gives us a short walking tour before we have the best part of an hour free to stroll about in the 1% of rain! It is still lovely here.
Some of us, myself, Arthur, Carol, Dot and Nicola, go for a coffee and find a suitable place out of the rain. When we ask for a coffee we are told they don’t do coffee! What is that all about? We go to a nearby cafe all saying he can stuff his coffee up his arse!!
After an particularly lovely coffee I walk back to the coach and wait for my flock to return. Sandra has even bought herself an umbrella!
We continue with our tour of the island to Vrbinik where we shall enjoy a wine and brandy tasting as well as some lunch.
We reach the coach park in vrbinik and it is then a short steep walk into the village but the wine place will provide a minibus for those who don’t walk too well.
So the walkers set off as I wait with the six going by minibus and we are soon transported to the Nada winery. It isn’t far and the walkers are already there when we arrive. As it is raining still we have a taste of the brandy and schnapps as we watch a small film about the wine production and also a group photo is taken by the young lady here. As soon as the five minute film is finished our group photo can be seen on the large screen! How do they do that? Technology!
They are busy today and we are in a small room off the main dining room and seated at tables each with a plate of local ham and cheese and three bottles of wine and water for us not drinking! There is much noise and laughter from around the room as the wine seems to be hitting the right spots!
After our meal the photo’s are bought along with a few bottles of wine and brandy and all seem to have enjoyed the experience.
On leaving here we drive through the village of Solina (translates to salt) where people cover themselves with the local mud which is supposed to have healing powers! I wish I had stopped for a picture now!
We are soon back on the mainland and then join the motorway back to Rijeka and onto Opatija.
It has been a great day, even with the rain, and Sandra has made it fun and interesting for everyone.
We are back by 16:00 and I’m soon parked up in the out of town car park waiting for my lift back. It is hot and sunny again and I think it has been like this all day in Opatija.
Still that’s me done driving until Sunday morning when we begin our journey home.

This evening I’m going out for dinner at the Italian I like and am joined by my two little mates as we enjoy a fabulous meal. On the table next to us are a young German couple who speak perfect English and live twenty minutes from Petersfield’s twin town of Warendorf! Small world.

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