Ok.
So I was a little bit presumptuous in how much I would accomplish today, as I thought I would get some more exploring time, which just didn't really happen, though I guess, I did get lost looking for a "corner" shop. I swear, it was there on the map, but there were no roads leading to it, just a path of some kind, and I just couldn't find it. It was literally within 50m of me and only 300m from where I started, but I ended up walking almost four kilometers up and down hills, to get back to the starting point.
I am normally good with maps.
But, all goo - the majority of the day was spent like this:
Until she got burnt and we had to head inside. We had put plenty of sunscreen several times throughout the day, but we didn't have an umbrella to protect us, because people had "booked" their places at 7 in the morning, even though most of them weren't there most of the day.
There is a C word for these kinds of people.
Speaking of Cs....
That was the rogue cloud of the day.
And I am not sure if you can see them in the picture, but going on the unintelligible English being spoken, I am pretty sure @slobberchops and @meesterboom were sitting there under the umbrellas drinking.
but going on the unintelligible English being spoken, I am pretty sure @slobberchops and @meesterboom were sitting there under the umbrellas drinking.
We aren't staying in a hotel, we have a villa apartment, which is so we can get enough food for Smallsteps to eat. It isn't that she eats that much, but there aren't many gluten and lactose free options available, so we have had to eat at fancier restaurants where they are willing to make something off-menu.
That was not the path to the shop - but it wasn't far from where the shop was meant to be.
And I have to say, the views are pretty idyllic, aren't they?
This is the private villa beach area that is about a 20 second walk from our door. It isn't suitable for Smallsteps to swim there though, so we will check out the beach a bit later - today was mostly pool.
And this was on my walk, about a kilometer (according to the map) from the shop I was looking for. There was literally no way to go back down the hill, unless going back the way I came and, *I wasn't going to give them that satisfaction. So I humped it in fucking Crocs (I hate sandals) up the mountain, along a main road and then down a million stairs back the same bloody place.
That'll teach them.
In the evening, we decided to go for a walk to see the infamous tourist attraction of a H&M store, to get Smallsteps a full rashie for tomorrows sun protection. As obviously, the sunscreen isn't going to cut it. It was about a 20 minute walk on the map, but walking with a six (almost 7) year old meant it took about an hour.
But, it was a nice walk and a good way to see a bit more of the coastline, other beaches, check possible dining places and work up an appetite. There are a lot of people here on holiday, but it isn't the high season yet I assume, since most of Europe will take the end of July and August off instead. It is only in the north that they take late-June and July off I think, It is pretty good that way, because it means that when we have travelled, it is busy, but not peak.
And then, dinner - starting with a cocktail. My wife had a "Hugo" (Freudian choice) and I mojito. We don't drink much, but having one before the meal was nice and I squeezed in a red to go with my black risotto, which is made with squid ink.
And, a kiss before the meals came proper. as said, they don't have much anywhere that is suitable, but Smallsteps is a bit of a trooper when it comes to these food and allergy things, and will eat the same thing several times or, make do with what she can. Tonight, they had gluten-free past they boiled up, but there were no sauces that suited, so she had it plain, with a grilled breast of chicken, unseasoned or sauced.
She was happy.
The most expensive plain pasta ever.
And now, after being in the sun and heat all day, we are pretty buggered and will likely get to bed early in the hope to wake up early enough to be assholes and put our towels on a couple chairs with an umbrella, so we don't cook again - even I am a little baked - *and not in a good way.
But before bed, I will get to the comments section! I have been trying to be mostly analogue here, barely even using my phone, other than to take some photos.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Was it that glary in the third photo or did it overcook?
Looks like a lovely spot. I love that tunnel arch thing.
Who are "they"? XD Though honestly depending on my mood I may have doubled back (if I realised I'd missed it) or may have kept walking because it looks like there were more interesting things further up and seeing more stuff might have been more interesting than doubling back. 4km is not too far, just mildly time consuming XD
I'm happy to get a bed under an umbrella. I get the sun walking around, no need to lie in it all day.., bloody crazy! The laying out of the towels at 7am is a universal annoyance, you need to get used to it.
You sound like my guy...he's not very patient when it comes to laying around the pool, unless he has a book (or dark glasses on for obvious reasons I'd say) however getting him to do it in full sun...impossible.
Becca 🌷
This is our first of these kinds of trips - so tomorrow, we will know better and have a towel ready... if we wake up early enough :D
Haha, I would give my left nut to be under one of those umbrellas, the place looks amazing!!!
Next time have two mojitos and two reds!! 😀😀
Umbrellas are quite important to you it seems. I get it. 😊
Becca 🌷
Hahah, if you could see the rain here you would realise how much! :OD
But you'd miss it. The one you gave up I mean.
Becca 🥜🥜
Hahahah! Oh yes, I think I would actually!
Loves em
It really is a nice place and the views are amazing. It might be on a list of places to come back to even - though it is only day one and I don't want to get too excited.
The last night I will be up to 6 and 6. ;D
If it is even being considered a potential return to place then it must be tickling your fancy even for that first day! Its defo on our list to go to,
Would love to get into Dubrovnik soon. I want to take some photos!
Surely you read the news articles on our favourite site news.com.au about people racing to get the sunbeds the moment they are available :D
Looks like an amazing place though. Could definitely use some sun over the Melbourne winter..... Is the private villa swimming area too deep for Smallsteps or just the rough rocks? Looks like a nice private area to play around in as long as she has a floaties.
I did not read that one. Damn it! The time they have something useful and I miss it... :D
Won't be long til Melbourne has some sun. The rocks are too big for her - it steps straight into the water, so nowhere to stand.
Bugger.......that would have been a nice spot to just relax. Hotel pools everywhere are pretty crowded. Never fully understood flying hour and hours just to lounge at the pool. Beach I understand, but the pool.....for the whole day?
Very nice clicks. A pretty place to visit. Spending time on beach, its wonderful. I also like to visit such places but I don't have such places near me. But I always prefer to plan vacations on mountain and village areas.
mountains would be nice. Never really had a mountain holiday.
I want to be smallsteps in that pool...although I might not need the arm floats. I'm just a little older than her as well, but I'd love to have an outfit like hers, hat and all!
Have a good time with your family.
Becca 🌷
She has some pretty good looks. Fashionable parents - or unfashionable as the case may be.
Well, she looks like a little darling and I assume that's due to fortunate parentage.
Becca 🌷
It seems you chose a beautiful place. Where is it exactly? And, what do you think about living in a more warmer country than Finland?
We are in a place called Mlini, about ten clicks from Dubrobnik. It is nice here :)
I have lived in the tropics for years, and of course, Australia isn't the coolest. But for the family, they would be happy, but not yet - there is school and elderly relatives for now. Perhaps later.
It sounds like a perfect day to me! That beach outside your villa is swell, so beautiful. And you got some great exercise. And you made a couple of posts. All in a day for Taraz. Lovely family you've got there.
Pretty lucky to have this family. Extra lucky to get away this week :)
My wife has a similar issue with the sun. No matter how much sunscreen she puts on she always seems to burn. Even when it is 60 spf. She just has really sensitive skin I guess. Her mom's side of the family is Swedish, and they always complain about their fair skin. This does look like a really beautiful place. My friends who just visited Mexico has similar stories about the umbrellas and cabanas getting snatched up early in the day.
Yep - my daughter is weirdly fairer than my wife! :D
Wife went and put towels down this morning - there was a massive line waiting and she got two places - but not "great" places.
Ah man, that's too bad. Plus you said this isn't even the busy season? I think that kind of stress would make it hard for me to relax.
Some of them "corner" shops can be hard to find. Did you happen to have a gin or two before looking? 😀 That place looks amazing. I do hope you continue to enjoy your holiday with the family. That is unless @meesterboom and @slobberchops crashes the party.
I think I would have done better - or at least been happier!
Wouldn't mind having some Hive gatecrashers :)
I can only virtually gatecrash these days. But if it was 15 years ago and I knew where you were, I might have taken you up on it. 😀
It almost looks like you are on the Mediterranean somewhere.
Looks freaking fantastic! I can understand why the majority of the day was spent at the pool, although your walk seemed to become a bit of a mystery walk lol, at least it's really nice and scenic along the way.
Hope you get those umbrellas next time. ☂️
looks like you are enjoying your time and I get that reading maps can be confusing sometimes so I try to ask around a lot
Хорошо!
The place looks really nice. In which part of Croatia are you?
Besides, Croatian are usually quite welcome, especially in not too much touristic places as they feel the tourist as an opportunity for them and they try to fix things at their best
I like your style! Fancy! A nice little villa apartment. That sounds so much nicer than a hotel, even a nice one.
I have to admit, I hadn't thought of travel with gluten-free, lactose-free. That is a nightmare in mainstream dining. I am allergic to black pepper and I want to say that everything, everything in the world has black pepper in it. Even when it says spices, 99% chance, it is black pepper. I manage and it looks like you both do a great job at helping her manage it. She doesn't look any worse for wear, but, yes! Quite the trooper.
The scenery is I love the Croatian cuisine, their fish and meat stews, and the hearty flavors of their meat, spiced nicely. The best was their black risotto, I hope you enjoyed yours. Drinks before dinner are a nice break from everyday life.
Somehow, walking to go to the store is pure pleasure when your journey takes in such sights and the stone walls, rustic coastline, and arched walkways that support bridges. It is definitely drop-dead gorgeous, and those stairs were in the romantically beautiful category in some places. Seems like you hit a home run with this trip!
I really enjoyed driving on the right. :) Challenging myself while on vacation is not fun.
Thanks for sharing a piece of your trip with us. Good luck with the sunscreen! That can surely ruin a good time!
Beaches are looking nice and who doesn't love a quick stop at H&M? Classic!
Good luck with the umbrellas!
Wow this place looks incredible! And you all look like you’re having a ton of fun! I was recently in Greece and this reminds me of the beautiful scenery there. I’m missing it! Enjoy the trip though!