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    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).

    Photos from Croatia

    There are [263] photos from Croatia

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    Maria - the aussie..no, croatian...no, aussie..., no croatian tourist. It all depends on who we meet and what they want from us. Views[382] Brett, the aussie tourist. Views[376] We still stop to do autographs too! Views[344] This one is available for sale at many Dubrovnik bookstores (and there are many!) Views[441] The main drag within the walled city. An ancient statute enacted in around 1272 governs precisely how these buildings can be erected and maintained in uniformity, so that no building blocks the view or sunlight from other residents. Views[365]
     
    ... but when we boarded the little boat to take us there we were taken to this mother... of a cruiseship instead with all its legit passgenger. We got there eventually! Views[360] One of the nearby islands in the bay that we intended to visit for the afternoon.... Views[347] One of the many pics taken by the passing busloads of Japanese tourists. Views[345] This photo was even spotted on a website in Kyrgyzstan... Views[323] X marks the spot - the view from the old town back up the 538 steps to where we stayed. Views[487]
     
    Maria taking a call from her agent. Views[374] We found a little rabbit-warren hole in the wall that brought us out onto the other side and into this bar by the sea. Views[484] No description required. The wow factor was definitely there. Views[340] Cute old houses that survived the bombings intact. Views[377] One of the many cornerposts of the wall, guarded by St Blaise on all sides - who has watched over Dubrovnik for centuries. Views[409]
     
    This map of Dubrovnik shows the exact locations that suffered damage during the war that raged here only 15 years ago - the dots marking structures that suffered direct hits. The city has largely been rebuilt. Views[476] The view from our balcony in the balmy late afternoon. Note the size of one of the many trans-Adriatic cruisers that easily dwarfs the old city. These ships would cruise in during the morning and leave only hours later. Views[531] Staying at an apartment on a hill overlooking this stunning old city comes at a price - all 538 steps (one way). It's no wonder that the calves on the legs of locals are the size of a Mack truck. Views[406] Markarska - Croatia's answer to Bondi beach. Be sure to bring your rubber mats for lying on the rocky sand, rubber shoes for walking anywhere, and blow-up bed for floating - not surfing - in the water. Views[461] How could we have missed this speccy moment! Views[366]
     
    Mmmmmm, yum... And the seafood looks nice too! Views[343] Luckily there was a pool on hand to put into this shot - otherwise it would've been a non-event. Views[355] Oh, we were there too! Views[383] Hmmmm, I wonder if there's a spot by the sea where we could enjoy some seafood and the sight of the setting sun... Views[354] As the sun sets over the Adriatic... time for another crisp, chilled vino. Pass me some prawns, would ya? Views[295]
     
    Three hire car places and too many coffees and dodgy car-trip cds later, Maria, Klaudia and Brett made it to the gorgeous old town called Primošten - a small island peninsula on the Dalmatian coast. Views[357] Waiting for a replacement hire car, at one of Tome's many favourite 'kafići's. Views[348] Dubrovnik, on Croatia's very south coast is actually surrounded on 3 sides by Bosnia and the other by the sea. To drive to Dubrovnik you must first go through separate Cro/Bos border checkpoints when leaving Croatia, and then respective Bos/Cro checkpoints again about 8km later on the other side. We were astounded to hear that Croatia has started building a 3km bridge from the Croatian side in the north (photo, right hand side) to the peninsular, which eventually adjoins Dubrovnik in the south - hence bypassing Bosnia altogether. Views[478] We would say this was 'typical' Dalmatian scenery, but it was more spectacular than anything else. Views[325] In a land of lunar-like landscapes, it was always a treat to drive almost literally into these gorgeous lakes. When the car is hissing from the heat you could almost believe that the car was driving itself towards these lakes, or 'jezera'. Views[401]
     
    Driving near Bosnia we passed about 4km of these roadside stalls. Not unusual except for the exceptional olive oil they sell, and the way that they pump water from the irrigation systems behind them to spray over their piles of watermelons in fountain-like fashions. Passing waterfall stalls like these every 15 metres can transport you to another time, or world, or just Bosnia perhaps! Views[504] Swimming in the Cetina River. Ahhhh, so cold and refreshing on a balmy day. What are you smiling about, Maria? Views[433] Walking through the quiet old town of Omiš the next day, we were stopped by this dear old man and invited in to see his cellar - all because he'd asked for the empty plastic water bottle we were about to throw into a nearby bin. He made us try his homemade orhavac - a Croatian tipple (read But be careful not to admire the local produce too closely! Actually, these guys and girls were only too happy to show off their toothless smiles. Views[400]
     
    Our cute little hire car (left-hand drive), in a cute part of the world near Omiš - a very typical residence with the obligatory grapevines which sometimes overgrow everything in sight. Views[340] Can you see why the sunflower is now my (Brett's) favourite? They're so stunning - and this farmer was tending to his crop so diligently. Next time you pick up a flower from a market, imagine the love and care gone into it! Views[356] We found out why european cars are so compact - in some parts of europe the roads were built many centuries after some villages, not the other way around. This road is a major thoroughfare linking mountainous towns with the ever-important coastline. Views[356] This is no ordinary disco!!!! We were walking around the headland of Markarska and stumbled - quite literally - across this disco that was built into the side of the cliffs. We walked down some rickety steps over the edge of the cliff face and found a 2-level bar/nightclub in full swing, with the lower level built into a natural cave about 30 metres long, with the water gushing under see-through floors below our feet. However, nothing could excuse the 14 year-old dj who hadn't heard of Madonna... Shameful really. Views[499] The road trip from Zadar to Dubrovnik begins... Wait! Hang on... are you telling me the hire car we booked a week ago and paid for in advance is not available??? The joys of being a tourist in Croatia. Travel Tip #63: don't rent hire cars from cafes. Views[410]
     
    The crew was in great demand - finally we gave in to the numerous photo requests... but after readying ourselves first! Views[394] Beautiful one day, perfect the next - and no, it's not Queensland. Views[478] Under the booooardwalk..... out of the su-uuun.... Where else in the world can you get this close to a national protected area? Views[400] Pristine... At first we were disappointed that we couldn't swim in the national park, but can you imagine what this would look like if the 1000s of visitors per day donned their speedos and ran amuck in here? Views[434] The lakes cascade into one another via these majestic waterfalls - one of many! Views[470]
     
    The crew having a rest after walking about 10 metres (L to R: Paul, Tome, Maria, Klaudia, Danita) Views[472] Only 15 years ago this would have been a beautiful church to visit by the side of a meandering country road, and a proud monument for the local population. But not any more... It is chilling more than majestic. Views[385] Some of the wildlife even move around the lakes about these flaoting things... Interesting species. (These fish are everywhere!) Views[506] The area surrounding the national park is littered with stark reminders of the conflict - this one a church that suffered a direct hit and is no longer in use. Most nearby houses that were similarly destroyed were previously occupied by Serbian Croats, who have since left the area. Views[487] This is a memorial for the first Croatian soldier killed in the recent war between Croatia and Serbia. It also marks the area where the conflict began - quite a reality check after spending the whole day surrounded by such natural beauty. A goosebump moment and one not to take for granted. Views[430]
     
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