For the past month I've
been soaking up the sun in Croatia (though I'm beginning to feel the chill of
autumn I'm afraid). I started off in the gorgeous Dubrovnik accompanied by my
big sis Marijana and our friend Marina. From there a bit of sun, sea and
serenity on the islands of Lopud and Korčula. Along the way, I've
been eating my way through some of my favourite dishes - grilled fish swimming
in homemade olive oil with a side of blitka (swiss chards), grilled squid,
octopus salad, pršut (smoked ham), palačinke (thin pancakes with
marmalade) and krafne (marmalade filled donuts).
Then round one of Le Tour
de Šibenik (my parents home town where everyone seems to be my cousin). If
you've never heard me whinge about my experiences with le Tour, please allow me
to indulge - I have to visit the closest relatives first ie mum and dad's
brothers and sisters, their kids and their kids. Minimum stay is two hours per
house. Standard questions include: How are mum/dad/bro/sis? When are you all
going to sell up in Aus and move to Croatia? When is sis getting married? When
is bro getting married? When are you getting married (to a nice Croatian boy)?
Why aren't you married yet? etc etc
This is my fifth time in
Croatia so I've just about got the routine down. And I've learned to pace
myself. So after round one I headed to the capital city of Zagreb to hang out
with my cousin and chill out in this very fun and funky city. Seeing as I ate
at his restaurants for free every day it's only fair I give his new place a big
fat plug. If you're ever in Zagreb, check out the very chic ManO (Medvedgradska
2, tel 01/4669-433). Ask for Zlatko, tell him you know me and that he couldn't
possibly be a day older than 25, and he'll look after you.
Now I'm back on Le Tour and
nearing the end of round two. It may get a little exhausting at times, but I
bloody love being here. It's a bit hard to explain how dear to my heart this
country is so I think you'll just have to come here next time I'm here and I'll
be happy to show you around!!
Enjoy the pics and be good.
Love Di.
