Croatia was a dream come true. I can't reiterate enough how much I absolutely adored the country - the sights, sounds, people, food and drinks (basically everything). It was perfect. And of course seeing King's Landing was in my bucket list so I got that checked off. It was stunning.
Spent 5 days in Croatia in total: flew into Pula from Helsinki and spent a night and an entire day wandering the little Old Town not as populated by tourists. Didn't expect much of Pula because the other coastal cities seem more popular whenever you google 'Croatia'. Nonetheless, the weather was great and the people were wonderful.
The pretty sunset when I got out of the airport in Pula
Wandered around the market listening to the chatter in a language I had completely no knowledge of
The Pula Arena is pretty similar to the Colosseum in Rome and is the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers
Had to shamelessly put my phone on self timer for this shot hahahaha
Since it was a coastal city, I had to have fish for a meal ;)
Caught this when I was walking to my hostel from the bus station and it was really really really breathtaking
Arrived in Split at 6am after a 10-hour long overnight bus ride. It was really not the most uncomfortable ride tbh... Imagine trying to sleep but having the bus stop every 30 minutes with the lights switched on and people shuffling up and down. The bus conductors spoke Croatian so I had no idea where we were most of the time. And when it arrived in Split earlier than scheduled I was sitting in my seat fretting out wondering where the hell we were and the guy next to me said, "This, Split". I jumped out of the seat, no joke. The bus only stops for 10 minutes tops for people to get on and off.
Split was gorgeous, probably like every other Croatian coastal city. It was definitely a tourist destination and prices were slightly higher on average compared to those in Pula. I spent two full days there BUT IT WASN'T ENOUGH. On a side note, I also bumped into a group of SMU kids and it was wonderful hearing and speaking some Singlish hahahaha.
Split is really near Italy and so much of the food and drinks (and gelato) are very Italian-influenced -- think pizza, pasta and lots of carbs (my weakness)!!!
I wanted to visit the famous Hvar Islands and spend a day there sunbathing but the ferry tickets were sold out :( I told the lady at the counter to give me any return ticket to any pretty island hahahaha and I arrived in Stari Grad after a 2-hour ferry ride.
So in Croatia the beaches have rocks instead of sand and people usually rent a beach bed or bring their own towels for the ground. I spent 3 hours sunbathing before it started becoming chilly and took the ferry back to Split at around 6pm.
Heard about a tower I could climb to find these views so why not
The bus ride from Split to Dubrovnik was much shorter and more comfortable. I boarded the bus at 8pm and arrived in Dubrovnik slightly before 11pm.
Halfway through the ride the bus stopped and the conductor walked around speaking in Croatian and I looked ever so lost... The uncle in the adjacent seat told me that we were in Bosnia and this was the customs checkpoint where everyone probably had to show their identity cards.
What went through my mind:
1) WHY THE HELL ARE WE IN BOSNIA?
2) MY PASSPORT IS IN MY BAG WHICH IS UNDER THE BUS IN THE STORAGE AREA
3) UGH I KNEW I SHOULD'VE KEPT MY PASSPORT WITH ME
4) I DON'T EVEN HAVE MY IC
5) NOOOOOOO NOW I'M GOING TO BE AN ILLEGAL TRESPASSER
6) IN BOSNIA NO LESS
The Customs officer walked down the aisle and he didn't stop to check anyone's identities until he saw me. I was obviously not from Europe... He asked for my passport and I very gently showed him a photocopy of it (!!!) that I keep in my wallet at all times. Then I showed him my driver's license and student card (lol I practically showed him every card I had). He looked at me very sternly and finally, finally, nodded and walked off.
WHEW. Lesson learnt: always have your passport at all times!!!!
Anyway, the uncle who spoke to me explained that a small part of Bosnia cuts into Croatia so we travelled around 2km in Bosnia before arriving in Dubrovnik. Look at the map it's true.
After we got off at Dubrovnik, the Croatian uncle asked where I was headed (and yes I was alert and vigilant but hey this uncle helped me out earlier I don't think he's a bad guy) and he was walking in the same direction. We talked along the way and he told me about how peaceful and small Dubrovnik is, and how tourism has helped and changed their lives for the better. He also said that this city is safe for solo travellers such as myself hahahaha. And he walked me to my hostel!! I was so thankful for this kind stranger :')
Got up bright and early, packed my day pack and walked towards the hostel receptionist's favourite beach
Welcome to Copacabana Beach!! It's not the real Copacabana as in the one in Rio de Janeiro but this one was really nice nonetheless
Rented a beach chair for 10 euros (prices in Dubrovnik far exceeds both Pula and Split because it's one of the most popular tourist destination in Croatia) and spent the afternoon reading a book I bought in Pula, and people-watching.
Came across an old couple fishing by the rocks and the man reminded me a lot of my dad cos he would really love to sit and fish all day after his retirement (but doubt my mom wants to sunbathe all day lol)
It took me an hour to walk to the Old Town (King's Landing!!!) because there were so many hills to climb and when I finally got there, I was famished
Fell in love with the streets!
Also went for a Game of Thrones tour where our tour guide was an extra in the series (she even showed us her selfies with the cast hahahaha)
SHAME STREET
Took a cable car to the highest point in Dubrovnik to watch the sunset and I was flabbergasted
Couldn't resist a gelato before I walked back to the hostel because I was leaving the following morning
All day err day
Ah... my thoughts about Croatia are also influenced by how I was exploring it alone. I can't even keep track of the times where "wish you were here" crossed my mind. Beautiful things should be shared and gushed over together!!! I really really wish I spent more time there because I didn't get to go to Hvar, nor did I see the Plitvice National Park. Therefore I have concluded that Croatia will be the one place I want to go again in future just to be able to savour it a little longer. Also, ugh what a gorgeous place but all I could manage were selfies of my big round face and the embarrassment of asking people to take unsatisfactory shots for you hahahahaha. Yet another reason why I'm going back there, this time with companions!!!
Croatia's got me sold for sho.
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