Single on a July Day: The Croatia Files, pt 1

After an exhilarating stay in a city I longed to see, it was time to head to the beach. This half of the trip is even more so filled with drinking and partying, but without the full cultural experience. Sometimes you just gotta have fun. 

I spent my time gazing out the windows.

From Sarajevo I hopped two flights to Zadar. Normally I don't fly, but Croatia Airlines had an amazing fare going on Expedia.ca, and money talks when you are travelling alone on a budget! 

SJJ is one of those simple, cute airports. It's easy to navigate and just a few gates take you around the world. Not much to do. There is a duty free shop, but it's best to bring your own entertainment.

I was doing SJJ-ZAG-ZAD and both of my flights were late getting in and out. Apparently this is just what to expect from this airline. I didn't mind; the great service and low price made up for it! 

A little snack during my stopover in ZAG

I arrived in Zadar after 10pm. It was dark and everything was pretty much closed. I already looked things up before so I knew there was a bus and how much it cost and how to get to my hostel, so I wasn't worried about anything.  I grabbed my pack and made my way to the bus...it was pretty full and I think he waited for the flight to get in before departing... pretty decent! 

I was staying the Old Town and it was the last of two stops on the bus. Easy enough. The place was packed still with visitors enjoying their vacation and it was a little after 11pm. I checked in to what I'm going to consider a luxury hostel. As usual, Booking.com was a score. The Boutique Hostel Forum in Zadar was awesome. I think it is important to remember that this comes after the grossness in Novi Sad and the dormitory setting in Sarajevo. I feel like I spoiled myself on this stay.  I had my own room with bathroom and regular cleaning...I loved it. Not really hostel-esk, but single occupancy in a double room was under $50CDN/night....so I guess I can call it a budget hotel..whatever the label, it was great!!

Zadar was a definite good time. I spent my whole time in the Old Town, but I think I should have stayed longer and did more. You can walk the Old Town...you kind of have to since cars are not permitted in most of it. This was great since it was only people traffic that you had to deal with. Plus it was easy to navigate after a few beers...

What to do:
-The Sea Organs (of course!!): The Adriatic Sea feeds into this piece of art and creates music! You just have to go.
-Swim in the sea: I liked sitting by it and smelling that sea like odour that cannot be captured in a room freshener. I saw people jumping in and there was a shallow section for kids to walk around in.
-The Greeting to the Sun: Another wonderful piece of art. It lights up and is very nice to see at sunset or night.

I saw these growing out of rocks by the waterside

-Drink Maraschino: I haven't steered you wrong so far in the booze department so I'm not even going to explain this one...just do it!
-Walk around/take a tour: I'm a firm believer in wondering around, taking it all it in. Or have someone take you around. It was not a big town. I didn't get lost and if I felt lost I just kept going...eventually I saw a building that I recognized.

The lackadaisical life of solo vacationing....

I took in the Museum of Archeology.. ...after a few beers at the Boutique Caffe Forum-- oddly enough it is connected to my hotel, but no discounts were given. Whatever, it's not like it was that expensive to drink...15k for a Tomislav .5l...wonderful!

7.3% and didn't taste like a dark beer  

As usual my trip had some music involved...Havana Club put on a promotion with live band! Smart move since Manu Chao was playing there the next night. That really wasn't the highlight of the trip though....on my second night, I met a cool local and chilled on the pier facing the Adriatic Sea drinking beer from a 2L bottle...that's how it comes...in the convenience store...and they give you cups. Then you relax and enjoy the coast. 

Breath taking....just remember to clean up after yourdamnself!  There were a lot of bottles around and the person I was with outright said that it was probably tourists....of course it is. Not all tourists, but some just see every part of their trip like it's a hotel...someone else will pick up after them.

Folks remember: take pictures, leave footprints....not: take advantage and leave garbage!!

I wish I could have captured the scent!

Well a couple of days of luxury was all that I had...then it was a 1.5h bus ride to Novalja for the final stop on this grand vacation.