Tag: Croatia
Beli to Ljubljana
by Bob_Thompson on Sep.18, 2011, under Croatia Sept 10, 2011
From Beli we climbed back up to the ridge of the island before descending back down to Merag where we caught another ferry. On the way we were fortunate in that we came across 8 or 9 Griffon's vultures soaring on the cliffside. I don't think the pictures will really do them justice. The are majestic creatures.
We hopped the ferry over to Valbiska and and then made our way to our lunch stop in Krk on the island of Krk before heading on to Vrbnik. No Well, we finished up in Ljubjana right on schedule. The weather the entire trip was just about perfect.,,From Beli we climbed back up to the ridge of the island before descending back down to Merag. On the way we were fortunate in that we came across 8 or 9 Griffon's vultures soaring on the cliffside.
I don't think the pictures will really do them justice. The are majestic.
No one seemed to have much trouble finding our hotel (it is the only one in town). That was the good news. The bad news was that there was a big padlock on the door. I called their number. No answer. That is not good sign. No amount of confirmations or pieces of paper can do much good at that point. I beat it over to the tourist office (Mare) where Helena did a great job of helping me out. We ended up in very nice private suites by the beach and went swimming in the Adriatic followed by a nice dinner at the Gospora restaurant down the street.
The following day we biked 14k to Silo and met our Superfast Croatian Speedboat which gave all of us a lift (all at the same time!) back to the mainland. The remaining part of the ride to Brod Na Kupi on the border with Slovenia is the toughest. Myself, Ann and Andymann rode the whole enchilada.
When we arrived in Brod Na Kupi, guess what? No room at the hotel…AGAIN! Kind of hard to believe it could happen two days in a row, but somehow Croatia just seems to be of that nature. 6 of us ended up in a house and Ann and I had a couple rooms next door. It was fine, but still, I and everyone else could do without the uncertainty. Our hosts were fun….they offered homemade "raki" made from apples. Regardless of where we stayed, there is no beating the Hotel Mance for food. It is out of this world.
Our last day took us past the Turjak Castle where we stopped for a tour (a real dungeon! and a 400 year old tree in front!) We then made our way down to the old Ljubjana road, which is spectacular and carries virtually no traffic. Everyone foundour hotel…the Pri Mrak U after arriving back in LJU….eventually.
Eric and Andy and Frank are back in the US by now. Ann left for Frankort, Geoff and Mary (from Australia) are headed to Venice and then Verona. Brian and I are headed towards Hungary with our bikes and panniers for some exploring. We plan to take the train from LJU to Ptuj ("pooay") where we will start to ride to….wherever.
Best, Bob
We walked around in after dinner. It is down right spooky at night. There are only 45 full time residents
The view on the ride from Beli in the morning.
The ferry at Merag
Brian contemplating a dive in the Adriatic in Vrbnik.
Frank looking like he is going under....while smiling!
Beli...the mainland is in the background.
Our bikes lashed to the "Superfast Croatian Speedboat for the 10 minute ride to the mainland
Gettin set for launch. The van takes a bridge to the mainland and meets us up the road.
Andymann and Eric wondering if they will ever see the van again.
Disembarking in Crikvenica
This is one of the places we stayed at in Brod Na Kupi.
Ann got along very well with Marco, the owner.
...as yo.u can see
In front of Hotel Mance
We had some great views on the run back to Ljubljana
Croatia half way point
by Bob_Thompson on Sep.17, 2011, under Croatia Sept 10, 2011
It is already the mid-point of this tour. We are in the town of Beli on the island of Cres. Cres is about 70k long and maybe 7 or 8k wide. It is a half hour ferry boat ride from the mainland. There aren't many cars on the island and the roads are in good shape so it is a very nice place to ride. The road ascends to the ridge that runs down the island like a long spine. You ride on top and alternate views of either side of the island. The weather on today's ride was perfect as it has been
for this entire tour.
Beli is an old town. There are no streets…only passage ways. The town only has 45 year round residents. The buildings are all stone and give every appearance of dating back to the Roman era origins of the place. We walked around town after dinner. Spooky.
On the ride in to Beli I spotted a Griffon's vulture perched in a tree. This area is known for them and there is a sanctuary right next to La Tramontana, where we are staying. The young birds are startled by gun shots
and or the noise of tourist boats. They can't fly and plummet to the see where they are frequently rescued by the folks from the sanctuary.
Dinner outside in Motovun. There was a big a concert next door...free music.
The view in the morning from Motovun. Motovun perched right at the top of a hill.
The archway entrance into Motovun. Everyone goes up the single cobblestone road.
The sunrise view from the wall that surrounds the village.
I gave my camera a workout. It is hard not to.
Motovun in the distance as we rode away the next morning.
Brian and Andymann on their way to Rabac...we take a small road out of Motovun....kind of steep in parts actually.
Mr. Eric with Motovun in the background
Everyone taking a break at the Castle in Pazin. The gorge next door inspired Jules Verne to write some of his books.
Ann and Eric enjoying the deck of our hotel in Rabac
Ann checking out the map at the overlook. We are headed to the ferry which we take over to Beli on the island of Cres.
Geoff cruising to the Ferry boat.
This is the high point of the Island. We ride along the top of the ridge.
Ann on Cres
A griffon's vulture in the top of a tree.
The town of Beli. It dates to Roman times. There is an old Roman road leading to town.
Signed Up: Brian T (Baltimore MD) for Croatia
by Bob_Thompson on Jul.22, 2011, under Croatia Sept 10, 2011
Brian has done all the tours in our bag, save the Canadian Rockies (which we only did once). A lot of them he has done more than once, some of them more than twice. Eventually I suspect some will be more than thrice. Only Graeme has done more.
Brian's home away from home, Le Petite Cafe in Ljubljana, awaits him. Brian is in for Croatia.
Brian and I plan to poke around the following week and perhaps scout some new territory. Brian will need to go shopping for some panniers before then.
