Zadar
So, I decided to head to Croatia because it was the easiest place to "go with the flow" as it were. I'd heard that it was pretty easy to just hop on a bus, pick a city that's fun and have a room by sundown. I pretty much did just that, and man am I happy to be here.
I hopped on a train to Trieste, Italy yesterday morning with the hopes of catching a bus or ferry. I decided between Zadar and Pula. Pula being closer, but potentially not as pretty. Zadar being far, but with more to do and see. I picked Zadar on a whim.
Before I hopped the bus, I checked on dropping my bag at the train station. The self service lockers were out of order, and the cost for the checking service was 6 euro a day. So, I still have my bag with me. On the upside, I was able to buy a new pair of shoes for 30 Euro at the local payless equivalent. That let me ditch my boots, which were falling apart after 3 months of hard use, and transfer my running shoes to my big green bag. I got lucky with a nice fitting pair of very stable reeboks. Awesome.
Anyhow, I got on the bus, and it was a beautiful ride down along the coast. Everything I'd imagined was true. Croatia really is where the mountains meet the sea.
I got in late, so I just went to a hostel that I knew would suck. Because of it's bad reviews, I figured nobody would be there, and I was right. It worked fine for a first night, and it was worth the cost of a taxi to get there and be safe.
Now I've managed to find a room for rent for about $20 a day with a nice woman who doesn't really speak English well. It's located right on the tip of the old town, and when I go out of the apartment complex I'm right on the sea. It's a pretty good setup.
Zadar itself is wonderful. Croatia's new tag line is "The Mediterranean as it used to be," or something like that. I say it's the Mediterranean as it should be. It's exactly what I'd hoped for.
The sea is a beautiful blue, and the buildings are red and white and all around old and rustic. Where I am has no beaches, but it has a beautiful pier and walkway surrounding the old town that more than makes up for it. At one point there is what only can be described as the worlds largest organ/harmonica powered by the surf. Basically there are holes drilled into the stones of the waterfront in such a way that the water flows in and displaces the air which is pushed out in different notes. The effect is somewhat like the ocean is breathing.
I sat for two hours drinking a bottle of wine and eating my lunch, mesmerized.
As a counterpoint to that, I saw Star Wars Episode III. At this point, I knew better than to expect that much from a prequel, but I was quite surprised. It starts a bit clunky, but the last half is amazing. I'd put it down as the third best Star Wars film behind Empire and A New Hope.
Anyhow, I'm here till the 21st, but I might stay for another night. After that, I'm heading to Split. After that, perhaps Dubrovnik.