Hello Croatia so lovely to meet you.

Monday 16 July 2012  - Hello Croatia it is so wonderful to meet you.

Day 94 and 65 to go

With a reasonable night’s sleep despite the noisy trains and the whirring of the refrigerated trucks we were awake and up at 7.30 getting our day started. With breakfast complete and the van packed away we left our camping spot to head to Ancona where we were due to catch our ferry to Croatia.

The road followed the coastline where we could see the water and also other campers who had found places to camp along the water’s edge. That would have been nice.

The drive into Ancona was a pretty one with so many fields filled with blooming Sunflowers chasing the sun’s rays. There was only a little traffic so it was also easy to navigate into Ancona and with plenty of signage we found our way to the ferry check-in with no fuss.

We parked our van and then joined the throng of tourists also waiting for the check-in to open at 9am. While in line we chatted with a couple from Perth, Terry & Christine. Once at the front of our line we handed over our tickets and were asked for the car papers. We were then informed that Croatian officials have been sending rented vans back to Italy on arrival if the renters did not have the right paperwork. GREAT. We decided we would take the chance anyway.

With our tickets in hand we drove the car around the ferry terminal, parked in line and then gathered the things we needed for the trip before again joining a line for passport control. We again met up with Terry and Christine and continued to chat. Turns out they are ex teachers. Small world.

Once through passport control Paul had to return to the van while I headed onto the ship sitting with Terry and Christine. Paul joined us once he had put the van on. He came back looking very stressed. Turned out he had to reverse it in between the coaches and metal framework with his mirrors folded in so he would fit and the guys yelling at him in Italian. I am so glad I wasn’t in the vehicle at the time. The only door he could get out of was his and that was one body part at a time. Eeekkkk.

At 11am we set sail for Split in Croatia. The initial sail out of the port and into open water was rough. With passengers unable to walk without landing in other peoples’ laps. It was a bit funny. I stayed put swaying in my chair that was not fixed properly to the floor.

The boat continued to rock for some way. Terry reported seeing vomit puddles in and around the deck. Many people looked a bit green. Luckily for the four of us we faired ok. We were more worried about the van knocking back and to against the busses.

We had our lunch and continued to while the afternoon away with teaching stories, travel adventures and life. Terry and Christine had some great ideas for teaching in retirement that I think we might even look into if we ever get to retire.

The Croatian islands and coastline came into view at about 3pm. We thought we would be docking at around 3.30pm but an announcement told us we would finally pull into port at 4.20pm. I guess the swell had slowed the boat. Oh well. We just filled our time in with more chat, drinks and technology, of which Christine and Terry had so much.

At 4pm we had a good view of Split. It was so beautiful and the water was such a sapphire blue colour, I could have happily jumped over board.

Paul was called to the van and shortly after we docked and disembarked. I said goodbye to our Aussie friends and then waited for Paul to drive off the ship. It took a while as all the cars came off first. Once he was on the dock I joined him in the car line for passport control again. Fingers crossed we would get through.

Paul had noticed the name plate on the ship, turns out it was made by Austel ships in Cockburn Sound in 1996 when he was delivering welding supplies and it is likely he even walked on it’s decks way back then.  Small world.

The move through passport control for vehicles was slow but by 5.15pm it was our turn. With passports handed over and stamps given we were given the all clear and waved through. PHEW! We didn’t look back, not giving them any chance to change their mind, driving through the centre of Split before making our way to the camping ground 6km away in Strobec.

At 5.30pm we pulled into the reception area parked the van and inquired about spaces only to be told they were FULL. NOOOOOOOOO. The crowds of other campers began joining the line, all being told to find an alternative. But then we were told they had only a couple of places with no power and before she could finish the sentence and before anyone else could jump in, I said we would take it. We could live without power.

So three groups were shown the spaces they had available, all around the toilet block, but they were spaces none the less and I was just glad to have something to call home. So with paperwork completed we pulled up on our patch and began to unwind.

We went for a walk around the camp and down to the water’s edge. The water was so warm, clear and such a beautiful colour. Paul realised that he had stayed at this camp ground 24 years ago when there was no one here.

We did a loop of the grounds and then stopped at the shop on the way back. We then cooked up dinner finishing the end of Luca’s produce. Delicious.

I did a little of the blog, mindful of the lack of power and then we went for a walk around the bay of Strobec. The tide was starting to go out. It was so warm still and there were plenty of people, particularly teenage girls, still out and about.  Many old men were out playing petanca or boulles or whatever it is they call it. We watched it for a while, as it was very entertaining.

We made it round to the point before we returned to our van at 9.30pm ready to head to bed so glad to be here in such a beautiful place. 

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