The day after we got back from Turkey we were headed off once more. This time to Croatia. It was a trip, once more, that i was really looking forward to. It would be really interesting to see this part of the world.
I had been quite a few times in Slovenia, which was the border of the iron curtain, but i had never ventured further than that. This would be an interesting trip, but one i really wanted to see. One thing that most people dont realise, however, is that Austria was on the border of the iron curtain. Its a pretty interesting thought, i have spoken to heaps of people here about what they think. It is really interesting the difference between the generations on how they react to it. The general reaction, however, is that there really was a great feeling of fear. I mean, Vienna is only 1 and a half hours from the czech republic, and Graz is only 40 minutes drive from Slovenia, it was a serious worry. But all the same, i wanted so much to see this new place, and see the results and effects that communism had on a country like this.
My parents had said it was their favourite place on their trip, and they had enjoyed immensly being in Croatia, so that was a good sign.
We left on the 5 hour drive to Rijeka sometime around midday. It was a really pleasant drive, and the time passed really easily. Reminded me of all the family holidays we had done, driving to Lakes Entrance, or Melbourne, or Brissy. We got there in the afternoon and were greeted by the two friends of the Griemers who owned the house. They were the family Grohs. They were both very relaxed and nice people, i could tell this would be heaps of fun. The first thing that i did, however, was to dive straight into the water! Their house was right on the water and it was a little walk down, so i bolted in. I was surprised how warm it was. I took a ball in and had a paddle around with it. It rocked, i loved swiming, with waves!!!!! It was great.
That night we went to a local restaurant for fish. We ordered a whole snapper like fish, and although it was too big, it was incredible. They smoked it for ever, and it cost an arm and a leg, but it was really really good fish.
The next two days were spent chillin out around the house and going swimming and things. We went into town quite often, and sat around and played games, listened to music and watched movies. It was really good fun. I was really enjoying the relaxed and chilled out lifestyle in Croatia.