Croatia in September is warm, mostly dry (though we had one diluge that was quickly over)and beautiful. For the first weeks of the journey we were in the good hands of VBT and guides Marko and Mattej. We can't say enough about how much Marko and Mattej enriched our experience. Not only did we do a lot besides biking, but we were wonderfully supported every step of the way. Both of us feel that we want to do another tour with VBT -- maybe Vietnam?
The other part of the happy equation was the 16 people with whom we toured. A brighter, more engaged, fun loving, compatible group I could not imagine. We enjoyed them to a one.
Interestingly, not very many Americans travel to Croatia. A conversation we had with two American's on leave from Iraq (one a doctor, the other a therapist) is telling. Upon hearing that her daughter was taking her leave in Croatia, the mother said, "Croatia. Is that safe?" Amusing, given that her daughter was stationed in Baghdad. So there is the perception that hostilities exist and they do but now they are in the form of disparaging comments.
Okay, now for some quick impressions of Croatia:
Rocks -- it's a very rocky place, that is, the islands are;
Vineyards being harvest by friends and family and carted away bags at a time to be pressed -- someone said that Croatia is like Italy was 40 years ago and I agree;
Fig trees -- everywhere and in addition, carob, pomegranate, quince, walnuts and somewhere orange, as candied orange slices are ubiquitous;
Homemade grappa -- herbal, walnut, everything that grows seems to make its way into grappa;
Water -- clear, green to deep blue;
Donkeys -- a smart means of getting around the rocky, steep slopes;
Kunas, Tito, grilled squid, octopus, gigantic yachts, boats of all sizes, rivas, pizza, pasticada and gnocchi.
Lasting evidence of war -- from the new brick roofs of Dubrovnik to the holes in roofs, lot's of people still talking about it and thinly veiled hostility.
Photos and more follows.
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