Maria & Brett's HUGE Trip 06-07-08-09-?

ok, so the Socceroos lost in 'that' penalty against Italy; Adriatic summers aren't long enough (bliss!); and we found that you should never use the term "Eastern Bloc" when talking to a Czech (Central Europe, please).

Croatia - Zadar & Policnik

There are [45] photos in this gallery.

**There are 2 pages of photos here. Make sure you find the second page!**

Sveti Donat, in the centre of Zadar's old town. Curiously, it appeared that ancient Greek or Roman columns had been laid flat to form the base of the foundations. It's not uncommon to see buildings in Europe built using the plundered stones of other buildings. Views[296] What to do with the rocks that are literally everywhere in Croatia..... Build fences! (which are also everywhere). This spot is by the road/track that leads through Policnik, the village where Maria's mum and dad come from. Views[275] Maria's Baba. She gets up at 5am every morning to take the sheep to the fields, returning a few hours later to do farmwork, housework, cook a hot lunch and babysit Maria's 3 year old cousin. Talk about keeping fit, young and healthy! Views[457] Typical Croatian countryside on the Dalmatian coast. Rocks, shrubs and dramatic scenery from north to south. Views[283] Baba Views[280]
 
Maria trying to her best farmgirl impersonation in the yard at Policnik. Views[316] If you have a nice lamb meal (and they always are in Croatia!), never ask if it's homemade. The guilt that comes soon after will likely spoil the delicious taste still in your mouth! Views[270] On our way to a gathering at the house in Policnik where Maria's dad grew up. Maria's cousin from Slovenia, Eric, was in town with a bunch of mates so we took a couple of roadies and joined them for the night. Views[263] The house where Maria's dad grew up. Views[280] he house where Maria's dad grew up. Views[287]
 
The line-up at the Croatia Games in Policnik, held all over Zadar to gather Croatians from all over the world to participate against other countries. This game saw Australian Croatians go up against Croatian Croatians. Go Australia!!! Views[318] Helen taking a crack shot through some Croatian defenders in the Croatia Games in Policnik. Views[263] Croatians, soccer (or 'nogomet') and flares go together like a meat pie and sauce. It just doesn't exist without one another. This was at the local Croatia Games that were held in the shrubby fields in Policnik. One of the 10s of flares that went off for no reason at all. Views[287] On the same day as the games Polocnik had a local festival (or 'festa'), where everyone gathered to listen to music and walk up and down to these stalls that handed out their local produce for free. There were proscuitto, cheeses, breads, cakes and even beer flying in all directions. Views[297] On our way through Policnik to the house where Maria's dad grew up. Views[266]
 
A Policnik sunset. Ahhh, pass me some wine and cut me some proscuitto... Views[274] Walking past Maria's grandfather's brother's house in Policnik, we were invited - actually dragged inside for a drink of homemade wine. Maria loved the figs that were just ripening on the trees. Views[317] Walking through Policnik to visit some of Maria's relatives Views[284] Maria's grandfather's brother bottling his wine in his cellar. Views[283] Croatians rarely drink wine straight from the bottle. Instead, they mix it with sparkling mineral water to water it down. Whenever we drank wine at someone's house it was always homemade, never from a glass bottle. Views[265]
 
Wherever anyone digs in the old town of Zadar, it is almost certain that ancient ruins like these would be unearthed. There are so many ruins that modern buildings are simply built over the top, otherwise the town wouldn't develop further. Views[293] View from Maria's aunty, Teta Rosa's place in Zadar - typical Yugoslav style. We spent a lot of time here, hanging out with Tomislav (Maria's cousin) and heading into town from here, only a 5 minute walk away. Views[457] Relaxing by the beach in Zadar with Tomi, Maria's cousin. What we're sitting on is actually a pipe organ built over the water that makes sounds of varying pitch when the waves undulate under it. Very unobtrusive sound and peaceful. Views[362] This poster appears on buses, walls, in shopfronts and on huge commercial billboards you pass when driving into town (alongside pictures of the Pope, of course). His name is Ante Gotovina, a general who served in the Croatian army during the war 10-15 years ago. He has recently been charged to appear before the Hague because of war crimes allegedly committed by some troops under his command. It appeared that he has a lot of support among locals. Views[301] Evidence of the war still remains in Zadar in some places. You have to wonder what happened to the person who must've been standing or peering from this window to attrack the attention of enemy fire. Views[271]
 
Heading from Zadar to the Kornati islands. Two seconds later a huge wind came up and blew Maria's hat into the sea behind us. Views[318] The Kornati islands. Expect clear waters and stone houses, not a tropical paradise but very Adriatic! Views[364] On the way to the Kornati islands. If you see this Paparraza, run! Views[339] Prljava Kazaliste - a bunch of rockers who have been around for decades, yet the crowd was made up of mainly teenagers who knew all the words and hugged in groups as they sang all the songs karaoke style. Views[278] We went to Sin City Club, a nightclub in the middle of fields about 30 mins from Zadar to see a band called Prljava Kazaliste. Although we got there for the 9:30pm start, the band decided they didn't want to come on stage and play until..... about 2am. Perhaps so the bar could sell more drinks, or just because the band could do what they wanted! Views[631]
 
Klaudia, Danita, Maria and Maria at a nightclub in Zadar. Go girls! Views[2220] Tomi and Maria at the nightclub Views[442] Us at the nightclub. Views[373] Ever wanted to wear a white uniform, blow a whistle and control the traffic? These traffic people were all students who worked the intersections for the summer, often doing a good job but sometiems causing traffic jams for 10kms (we drove the other way past one down south!). Working in threes, one might stand in the middle of the road while the other two lick their gelatos in the chade or text their friends on mobile phones... Views[380] The first Croatian word that Brett learned was
 
Typical local bus servicing Zadar and the surrounding villages, including Policnik. We jumped on this twice-daily service and found Maria's aunty already on it. Views[238] Maria's 3 year old cousin, Luka. Brett was jealous by how fluently Luka could speak Croatian! Why do kids always make things look so easy? Views[250] Maria showing Luka the swiss army knife Brett's workmates gave him before he left (thanks everyone!). As you can see it can do almost anything, including keeping a hyperactive 3 year old amused for at least 2 minutes! Views[235] Maria with her cousin Tomi, who loves the show 'Oz'. We spent a lot of time with Tomi, a really genuine guy who helped us out a lot when we needed to organise anything for our trip. He didn't speak english very confidently when we arrived, but was speaking quite easily with Brett by the time we left. Views[237] Maria planning our next adventure. We made good use of downtime in the village, or
 
Maria's aunty, Teta Svetka, who also lives in Zadar. We tried her cherry flavoured rakija - with real cherries - and she insisted on giving us a litre of it when we left. They only make a couple of litres each year, leaving it in jars in the sun for months on end, so we appreciated it very much. It's so delicious and sweet (and alcoholic)! Views[202] Stewed wild rabbit in more herbs and spices than the Colonel can spell - delicious! Adding to the wildness were the various gunshot pellets that we bit on every now and then - distincly lead in flavour and texture! Maria's aunty got the rabbit from a friend who'd shot it on his farm. Quite a common meal here, so any fears of lead poisoning were quickly forgotten. Views[205] Farewells in Zadar. This is Bobo, Maria's cousin. A very intelligent, cool and down-to-earth guy. Looking forward to catching up again. Views[176] We loved the sunsets in Zadar too! Views[194] It's not uncommon to see bus drivers take hairpin corners around barrier-less bends at breakneck speed, all while chatting on a mobile phone and having a cigarette at the same time. Views[180]
 

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