Gradually moving south along Dalmatia-Opatija

Blogging our travels like this is self indulgent but it is a good way to capture experiences and thoughts as we go along. Also living like this is an opportunity to get back to basics. What ARE we doing? Why are we here? What will we do today? I wonder what is happening back home? How are the kids and their kids going? What will I get for Yvonne's birthday coming soon? What outfit will I put on today?

So, as you might pick up from the above ramblings, today is a another transition day with no set targets other than to make transport connections. It has rained a little overnight and the day does not look like it will go to our plan which was to go for a swim before checking out of the hotel, get a bite to eat, check the web and then catch a local bus into Rijeka where we aim to catch a late afternoon ferry south to Rab Island.

Yesterday we walked along the very well constructed coastal pathway to the old fishing village of Volosko where we sat by the water for some lunch. In the afternoon and after walking back into Opatija, we spent a few hours relaxing on our segment of the “beach”. A segment of concrete and tiling with a roped off area of the sea. The water was surprisingly warm so we are now expecting to be spending more time over the next week or so in the sea. Of course the water experience is just so different to Australia's with the possible exception of Port Philip Bay in Melbourne.

Today the hotel web site is down so Randall is just a little at sea without it. So with the weather not so good and no web we take our time clearing out of the hotel room.

By 1 pm things have improved so we take lunch at the “beach” whilst being mystified and entertained by a couple of holidaying eastern european families nearby. It is clear in this part of the world shape is not a reason to hide the body, whatever the age. So here we are, happy to be sharing the “beach” with all.

And eventually we caught our ferry and found our hotel in Rab town, some 2 hours south of Rijeka. Ready for a little more experience of holidays in Croatia.