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Vienna & Croatia
  • Gabrielle Ingram

Vienna & Croatia

Finn has finished Grade 12 so we are heading off on a family holiday before he starts uni. Read more
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  • Trip start
    November 25, 2023
    Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Technology alreadyDoha airportThe rainforest in Doha International AirportReady for the next legSchnitzel and bier at Schöne PerleAnd it was delicious!

    Brisbane to Vienna via Doha

    November 26, 2023 in Qatar ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Leaving late in the evening made the entire trip seem to go past really quickly. Doha International Airport was huge outside, quite lovely inside with a domed rainforest setting. We arrived to a temp of 1°C in Vienna. After a great schnitzel and bier at Schöne Perle around the corner from our accommodation, we all had an early night, in bed by 7pm.Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Breakfast in our itty bitty kitchen
    A sneak peek at Kirche St PeterSt Stephen's was spectacular. A Christmas market was in full swing nearby.The Christmas markets at RathausplatzGluhweinFancy hotdogs for lunch

    Vienna

    November 27, 2023 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Craig and I woke up early(ish) and went to the local supermarket to stock up on some breakfast items. A little bit drizzly out. Breakfast back at the unit with the best supermarket home brand muesli ever (seriously thinking of buying some to take home with us!). Then we just headed off and wandered around Vienna with no real destination in mind. We came across Kirsche St Peter (baroque church), Domkirche St Stephan (medieval church) with Christmas markets, then wandered over to Rathausplatz.

    Here we had käserkrainer for lunch with some extremely delicious glühwein which had the dual purpose of tasting great and warming our hands! Each market has their own ceramic mug design. You pay a deposit for the mug and it saves the environment.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Cafe Melange and apfelstrudel
    Belvedere PalaceBelvedere PalaceCafe cultureBretzel for lunchCannot get enough of this. Photo taken at 4.30pm.Belvedere PalaceBelvedere PalaceChristmas lightsCafe cultureWalked past Hotel Sacher, famous for torteThis place was over the top

    Cafe Hawelka, Belvedere Palace

    November 28, 2023 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Today's adventure started a bit later due to the drizzle, but after a bit of meandering we ended up stumbling across Cafe Hawelka and got a table straightaway in a cafe which has been in operation across 3 generations since 1945, so was a well worn environment. We then set off to the opera house. Glen and Jeff headed off on their own, and we set off to Schloss Belvedere. We had a quick lunch at the Christmas markets set up in the garden, before spending time in the Upper Apartments which has now been converted into a museum. Notably it houses Gustav Klimt and a few Monets. I have several jigsaw puzzles based on Klimt, so I was surprised to learn of their actual aspect ratios being nothing like my puzzles. Beautiful to see the real artworks.

    The kids headed home, Craig and I spent a bit more time in the city centre. By 4.15pm we had a glimpse of the Christmas lights on St Stephen's Cathedral and through the streets. Rain forced us home after that.

    Despite feeling like we walked for ages today, it was only about 14.5km. Vienna is so flat and easy to walk.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Waking up to a small amount of snow
    Mozart coffeeLunch with RebeccaKaiserschmarrnA glimpse into the national library1Gluhwein at Schloss Schönbrunn Christmas marketsThe back yardAll of us with RebeccaThe view of the back of their summer residenceOut of the coldChristmas lights on steroids1Can't get enough of this churchOur walk through a tiny amount of snow2Christmas lights

    The Danube, Schloss Schönbrunn & Rebecca

    November 29, 2023 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C

    We woke up to a thin layer of snow on the cars in the street, which didn't seem to melt all day, probably because it didn't get above 2°C. A little bit exciting!

    Craig and I went out to forage for some pastries for breakfast, and not long after we set off for a walk to clap eyes on the Danube River. The Blue Danube by Austrian composer Johann Strauss II was the piece I played at my first piano recital in 1978 (I assume an abridged version for novice players), so it didn't seem right to be staying so close to the river and not actually see it. It also meant we got to see more of the modern Vienna. We also saw all the long ships that older generations cruise the Danube on lined up along the bank. The Viking one looked the most tired... More like a floating fibro shack, so we thought we'd feel a bit ripped off if you rocked up to get on the Viking one and you were docked next to all the other significantly more fancy ones!

    Walking back into the old town it started to snow. ❄️

    Finn was not impressed that we decided to have a coffee sitting outside with snow wafting around with a great view of St Stephen's Cathedral.

    We then had the absolute thrill of having the company of Rebecca (#5 and our last au pair) for the day. She booked the train across from Germany yesterday as a last minute thing and it was so special to see her. She could also be our translator for the day. It was a welcomed relief to spend several hours in a traditional Austrian restaurant with great bier, schnitzel and kaiserschmarrn for dessert.

    We poked our heads into the National Bibliotek (and I wasn't even wearing a cardigan), and Rebecca's Austrian friend Rahel, who she met in Noosa, joined us as our unwitting tourist guide. We caught the train out to Schloss Schonbrunn... more incredible Christmas markets, glühwein, and a wander through the gardens. We then went to the nachtmarkets which was like a long linear version of the Queen Victoria Markets in Melbourne, took refuge from the extreme cold in a small pub, and then later got the full Christmas lights experience back at St Stephen's Cathedral.

    Sadly it was then time to say goodbye to Rebecca 😞. Thanks for visiting us!    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Just cleared the Viennese traffic and now on the motorway at about 120km/h
    Driving in light snowThe Austrian marketing machine + our carOur lovely waterfront apartment for the next 7 nights

    Driving from Vienna to Poreč in Croatia

    November 30, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    Today was a day of driving through various forms of precipitation... snow, extreme rain and fog. On the wrong side of the road. In a foreign car. What could go wrong?

    Thankfully nothing! Craig and Jeff were exhausted from excessive concentration by the time we made it to our lovely waterfront apartment in Poreč, Istria, Croatia.

    We stopped at a raststation for coffee and soup for lunch. A strange sort of Austrian style of Macca's extreme marketing. Still, a welcomed stop.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler

    Dormant resorts

    December 1, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    Craig and I went for a walk this afternoon heading south along the waterfront as we could see several headlands jutting out. After we got past the marina we came across a lot of parkland which morphed into resorts which looked abandoned, but looking them up on booking.com, they are still a going concern, so obviously just being mothballed for the winter season. It was incredibly bizarre. Pretty sure we have scouted an excellent location for another offshoot series of The Walking Dead.Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Craig on the way back from the shop
    Juliet waiting for Romeo ❤️Sun!Adriatic sunsetChristmas lights and no peopleThe main squareScouting for tomorrow night's dinner optionsPluck Your Quack BoutiqueKatie playing some bassThe great push-up challenge

    Poreč at night

    December 1, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    At about 4.15pm this afternoon the clouds cleared enough to get a brief glimpse of a sunset over the Adriatic Sea.

    After dinner Craig and I partook of an evening constitutional through the old town to see the more modest Christmas lights of Poreč. We came across the best name for a beauty business... "Pluck Your Quack"! ☺️Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Nice view of the Adriatic Sea from my bed
    This posh apart had a Pierre Cardin blanket... The only time I'm likely to ever sleep on one.Beautiful views from the dining room, but I'm amazed by how healthy this fig tree is.Breakfast viewLovely old staircase in our buildingKatie in our apartment on the 2nd floorWalking along the Riva (waterfront)Impossibly clear waterBeautiful streetsLove these streetsDerelict buildingCute... ok, and the husband too!Another derelict building1Coffee in the main square

    Old town Poreč

    December 1, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    Craig and I meandered through the old town of Poreč this morning. Lots of Italian influence here and some of the narrow laneways reminded me of Venice. Not many shops are open so you can certainly tell this is a town heavily reliant on tourist season. We tracked down a konoba (traditional tavern) I've had my eyes on but it was shut with a hand written note taped to the door which said "see you next year"! No konoba delicacies to be had in Poreč for us. Oh well, we will have to try out one of the many pizzerias or seafood places instead.Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Nothing bad ever comes from a bakery
    Wet blustery dayA walk through the old townKate found her first Croatian catThe black and white cat was not quite as welcomingThe streets to ourselvesHam and salad focaccia for lunch2Luckily Craig doesn't suffer from bread cutting anxietyClosed down resort and really strong windI found my first dojo!View looking back at Poreč from further up the coastlineSquid was excellent, pizzas were large

    Poreč

    December 2, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    In July this year the Croatian government legislated for no trading on Sunday to promote better work life balance and closer family relationships. So we stocked up at the Spar! After having found a sour dough bakery, we bought some focaccia for lunch and pastries for lunch dessert. Yum! The kids came across their first few very well fed and quite friendly cats which Croatia seems to be renowned for.

    Craig and I took a long walk north along the coastline during a break in the very windy and rainy weather. Loads more resorts which look like they have been under construction for some years, and plenty more which have closed down for the winter.

    It was Saturday night and not much was open, but we went to a pizzeria a few minutes walk from the apartment.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    1Best view from a car park ever!
    Inside the amphitheatreNot sure this bull fight would be considered historically accurateGreat view for a bit of blood sports if that's your thingUnder the arenaExhibition under the arenaDouble arch gateIt was time for lunch according to FinnTemple of AugustusForum now town squareBeautiful old buildingsKatie found another cat (I suspect this will be a theme)Nice lunch spot with a great view of the streetFinn traded his bowl of salad for Kate's bowl of wedges. He has a nice sister.My lunch, and a giant bowl of salad was very welcomedTriumphal archThe citadelView of the amphitheatre from the citadel

    Pula

    December 3, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C

    We drove about one hour on the back roads to Pula which is also on the coastline, has a large port, and is known for its Roman ruins. Parking is free on Sundays so I chose a car park right next to the Roman amphitheatre (built 27 BC to 68 AD), and the view was already amazing! We paid to go in and had the entire place ourselves. The downside to travelling in winter in Europe is that lots of places are closed, upside is that when they aren't, you are not sharing with too many others! The added benefit today was clear blue skies.

    We then wandered through the streets of Pula where the old Roman Forum is now the town square with a beautiful temple (Temple of Augustus). Came across several Roman gates to the city. Porta Gemina was the twin arch gate (2nd century) and a stage was being set up near the Triumphal Arch Sergii. We then went up steep streets to find ourselves walking around the perimeter of the Pula Citadel.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    The view across the valley to Motovun
    DrivingLove the cobblestone hereThrough the main gateWalking up the main street into MotovunA gate leading up to the main square. Quite steep and gorgeous paving.The main squareWalking along the wallsOur very warm restaurant was a welcome relief to the 3-4°C outsideOlive and truffle tapenadeTagliatelle and black truffle sauce 😋Craig's chicken and homemade gnocchiGO TO THIS RESTAURANT IF YOU ARE EVER IN MOTOVUNKate found another catWorth bottling 😄

    Hilltop village of Motovun

    December 4, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    About 40 minutes drive inland is the medieval hilltop of Motovun, smack bang in the middle of truffle territory... And olive oil territory... And vineyards...

    We almost had the entire place to ourselves to wander around. There was only one restaurant open from what would have been at least a dozen if not more, so that combined with the fact it had a loo, meant that was where we had lunch.

    And OMG, these places are why I love food so much. We were told later it was the best restaurant in Motovun. I had tagliatelle with truffle sauce, the kids had soup, Craig had a 1/4 chicken with a cheese sauce which unexpectedly came with a side of homemade gnocchi in a crispy cheese basket. The parents had omelette where truffle was shaved by hand over the top at the time of serving.

    We were given olive and truffle tapenade with house made bread as starters on the house, and after the meal complimentary red wine liqueur specific to Motovun. It was like Christmas in a glass, and sent us back up the hill to the distillery shop where we had some tasting of limoncello and orangcello. And then bought a bottle of the limoncello and aforementioned red wine liqueur called teranino.

    And after Jeff made us dinner of poached eggs, a wee limoncello has gone down a treat. We have already looked up where we can restock on our trip 🫢.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    1

    Poreč

    December 5, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    We had a lazy day today, so not much to write about. I did find a great use for egg cups though! In lieu of not having any shot glasses, they made a reasonable substitute for our red wine liqueur.

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    The houses are built right up to the water.
    This was a quaint gin and cigar bar with a tiny doorway leading down into the barThe church on the hillLove the paving1I want to know the covenant for choosing building colours2Little alleys down to the water2The familyLunch on the waterfrontLinguineLasagneSeafood including scampiThe marinaOne of many cats. This one got called Moped Cat for obvious reasons.More catsDown where people swim during summerImagine doing the walk to or from the champagne and cocktail bar after one too many!

    Rovinj

    December 6, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    We spent Finn's last day of being 17 and our last day in Istria in the village of Rovinj, also known as "The Venice of Croatia". This fishing port was one of the more bustling places we've experienced since we've been here, but still a sense of having it to ourselves. We were immediately able to plunge ourselves into the narrow cobblestoned alleys, with glimpses out to the ocean. In the centre of the old town up on the hill was a church. It was midday when we were up at the church so got the full church bell experience.

    A lunch of fish and chips and calamari seemed in order since we were in a fishing village. Finn had one of his favourite meals (lasagne), Kate went for linguine... Everything is dual signed in Italian here.

    The kids spent their time befriending the many cats. We also managed to make one local rather grumpy because we didn't buy a tacky souvenir of a goat or turtle magnet made out of tiny local sea shells.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Snow off to the side of the road
    Service station lunch was a little bit gourmet by Australian standardsThese mountains looked quite dramaticLoads of tunnels today, including one which was 5km longToday's "cat of the day" met us at our front door of the apartment in SplitStairway to his domainFinn's birthday presentLord of his manor for the next 7 daysIce skating on the waterfrontOut buying groceries at 5pmKebabs for dinner

    Poreč to Split

    December 7, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY TO OUR BOY 🎂

    We spent about 7 hours on the road today driving through many tunnels and the remnants of last night's light snow fall. A couple of service station stops for coffee and later a hot meal for lunch.

    We eventually made it down the narrowest of lane ways to Maki Stone House in Split's old town area, which has three apartments in the one house. Finn's 18th birthday present is one of the apartments all to himself. The owner said her favourite was the one on the top floor so that was the one he got.

    We did a quick scout around the Riva when we went out for a few groceries.

    Finn's birthday dinner wish was kebabs, so takeaway kebabs it was.

    At 10pm tonight we will head back into town to meet au pair #5. Hannah has caught a bus from Germany to come and visit us this week in Split.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    The fruit and veg section, in an old palace, as you do
    Through a 1,700 year old arch to the checkoutAnd a glass floor so you can fully appreciate the base of your Ionic (?) columnDinner in the upstairs apartment courtesy of the Ingram SeniorsA Christmas moose in the apartmentFinn + Poppy + KatieOur apartment immortalized on the complimentary vino

    Amazing supermarket

    December 8, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    I am in a little bit of awe at the incredible location of this Spar supermarket which was set up in part of Diocletian's Palace. A strange thing, this taking of photos of a supermarket, but it was rather spectacular!

    Dinner tonight at Glen and Jeff's apartment. The night might have degraded somewhat.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Check out the biscuit selection
    Captivating alleysSpontaneous singing broke out just as this photo was taken. A tourist group loved the acoustics.Our kitty kat and a random cat enjoying the sunAll of usUnderneath the palace, where shops where all set up in each nookThis cat had a great view over the RivaAs we admired the cat, we were lured in for a coffee. And free honey liqueur...The unique vistas at every turn. Love the laundry hanging everywhere.Great muralView back over Split with cartoon like mountains in the backgroundThe island of Brac

    Diocletian's Palace, Old town Split

    December 8, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    We picked up Hannah from the bus station last night just after 10pm. She left her home in Saarbrucken Germany at 8am in the morning, and after a train to Paris, a flight to Zagreb and a bus to Split, she came back to our place for a bit.

    Bearing gifts... A beautiful array of Christmas biscuits she had made. We have had to show great restraint to not eat them all in one sitting.

    This morning we plunged into the alleys of the old town, through the labyrinth of old town mixed with Diocletian's Palace shops, and a meander through the farmers' markets.

    We spent some time just following the impossibly narrow streets with beautiful points of interest and general awe as to where over time restaurants, cafes, bars and shops have managed to establish themselves.

    We bought rolls at the pekata (bakery) which we took down to the Riva (waterfront) and ate, for a cheaper, lighter but incredibly yummy lunch.

    Later we started to meander along the marina with views of a very ugly and prominent building being actively demolished, and saw the island of Brac which is where we are heading after we leave Split.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Going up at the beginning of our walk
    Cats outside the zooOur first viewing platform at the park looking back over SplitView from the ridge running through the parkThis was always going to be a battleOn the trailThe hill we walked the ridge of todayAnother cat on a very interesting stone wallBurek for lunchThis is the replica of where Kate patted the cat yesterday was located 😄A bronze replica of Split old townCoffee in the square, Craig and Hannah1I can't imagine being an electrician is fun in these placesCuttlefish and squid ink risottoGrilled sea breamDinner at Fife Restaurant

    Marjan Forest Park

    December 9, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    This morning we set off for a walk up the middle and peak of Marjan Forest Park which occupies the peninsula overlooking Split with views out over the islands of the Adriatic Sea and the mainland. Today we nearly broke the 20,000 steps.

    Lunch was another Balkan dish called
    Burek which is a filo pastry layered pie thing. We stumbled across the bakery it happened to be selling them, so we tried them out.

    On the way home, we scouted out how to navigate where we need to go for the car ferry across to an island next week. We then stopped for a coffee in a beautiful square before restocking at the (now favourite) supermarket.

    Given it was a Saturday night we thought we would join the fray at a local Dalmatian restaurant. There was only one other customer. Seafood is big in this region as you'd naturally expect. I had a local dish of cuttlefish and squid ink risotto. Craig had grilled sea bream. Delicious.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    The two gnomes
    Kate impersonating the gnomeHanging around for some foodHello fat cat1Hannah, Kate and me

    Wet day no play

    December 10, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    We had a zero day today (getting in my future hiking terminology right there) because it was raining and when combined with it being a Sunday and all the shops being closed, we stayed in our cosy apartment and watched Christmas movies on Netflix and played card games.

    My annual viewing of The Holiday is ticked off, Love Actually still to go, but there is time. We ducked out to see if we could find bread to accompany Glen and Jeff's stew, but no luck with finding an open bakery. About 4.30pm the skies cleared and we found a gelato shop which was open out on the main boulevard. Yum!

    There is a ginger and white cat hanging around the apartment, so we invited it in for a bit of affection.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    12

    Split

    December 11, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Craig, Hannah and Kate did an 11km round trip to The Split Mall for Kate to buy fake Ugg boots from H&M and a pair of Christmas PJ pants she can wear all year round. I will add here we live approximately 2.7km from the H&M at Mt Gravatt! Still, the walk did contribute to Craig hitting 20,000 steps today.

    I took a load of washing to the laundromat and then did some aimless wandering through Diocletian's Palace between washing and drying.

    Finn and I went out to lunch at a great pizzeria.

    Dinner in the upstairs apartment of the Ingram Seniors.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    No hiding having a cold sore in Croatia
    Online rummikub is brilliantThe stray cat motherlodeHighly interactive rummikub online

    Split

    December 12, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Another wet day with little doing. We played online rummikub with each other, an outing to the pizzeria for lunch, shopping at the asian supermarket. I have found plenty of things you could make money on if you could import cost effectively. About €6 for a 5-pack of mi goreng noodles that we buy in bulk because Kate eats them in great quantities. €3.80 for a can of coconut cream. Crazy.

    Craig made a yummy massaman curry for dinner and we kept on playing rummikub. Somewhere in all of that we semi-watched a couple of B-grade Christmas movies.

    EDIT: Our game statistics said we played 5.5 hours of Rummikub today 🫢    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Vestibul
    PeristilSaint Domnius Bell TowerMarmontova ulicaMarmontova ulicaOur little laneWe're home

    Last night in Split

    December 13, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    We ended up taking a stroll through the streets on our last night before escorting Hannah back to her hostel.

    Fun fact: Hannah's hostel is costing her €12 per night. During summer it is €40 per night!Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Water bubbling up
    We walked the purple route today and the blue one a few days agoAn amphitheatre in the forestDoing our log exercisesWalking the route and trying to pretend I am a youtuber. It is quite tricky.Views on our trekOn the home stretchAnother pussycat which appeared out of nowhereCaffe with a view1The streets of SplitWe just bought roasted chestnutsA peeled chestnut1My last look in Split old town1I'm loving the street lamps2Christmas time in one of the squaresCraig cooking dinner in Maki Stone HouseDinner in Glen and Jeff's apartment

    Last day in Split

    December 13, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    We walked the other half of Marjan Forest today. Throughout one part were the suggested stations to stop and do various exercises which included using logs.

    There was a fabulous cafe with views over Split at the end where we stopped to have a cappuccino. Here I looked up the various options for Croatian street food so we could narrow down some options not yet tried

    Walking back into Split Craig and I bought pljeakavica for lunch which is a burger with a special type of bun which had small sausages, a sauce made from roasted capsicum and eggplant and a type of cottage cheese. Really yummy! Are this down on the waterfront

    Next stop was a street stall for our first ever roasted chestnuts... I would say these most resemble a roasted bunya nut on taste and texture, although somewhat easier to come by 🙂.

    Dinner at the parents place again, Craig made a yummy massaman curry again tonight.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    Saying bye to Hannah
    Our ferryLooking back.at our new house from the sea, and Katie in the top windowA room with a viewA lovely view from the dining roomKate loves a window seatThere are a lot of tiny windy stairs up to level two where our bedrooms and bathroom isThis very large resort is closed for the winterBeautiful bays and incredibly clear waterView from the town church on the hill"Sunset" is nowhere near as spectacular when you face east!5pm, and it's already darkOur beautiful stone cottagePostiraThe twinkling lights on the mainlandThis jigsaw might need massage therapy to complete

    Split to Brac

    December 14, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    This morning we said goodbye to Hannah after a week of hanging out in Split. She is heading to Zagreb for a few days before going back to Germany.

    We packed up our three little stone apartments and drove down to the ferry to come across to the island of Brac. It was all very smooth even though you can't do a reservation for vehicles. Whilst we do appreciate all the safety aspects Australian regulations offer, it always amazes us how "rule abiding" we are in comparison. In Australia we would have had announcementa on the car ferry about not remaining in your vehicle, not returning to your vehicle until there was an announcement etc. Still, without these it was the quickest and most orderly ferry process I've ever seen! Apparently you don't die if you stay in your car on the big ferry when it is moving across water 😱.

    Fifteen minutes after the ferry landed we were at our new house right next to the water.

    Last night I was texting with the Airbnb owner. She said she is at a loss on what to tell us to do because in the four years she has had here Airbnb we are the first guests to ever stay in winter, and pretty much everything on the island is closed down. Pretty funny.

    Craig and I did a walk into our little town Postira. She was right, most things are shut. A local came down to start fishing on the jetty we were standing on and started to chat to us. He owns a restaurant on the island and works 7 days a week for seven months straight during high season, and for the remaining five months tends to his olives and wine venture and has a holiday (off to Vienna and Dublin he said). But this arvo, he was squid fishing off the jetty.

    We made rice paper rolls for dinner and Glen and I started a 2000 piece jigsaw puzzle. Luckily we are here for 8 days because it is H.A.R.D.

    ATAR results are released at midnight our time. Finn just went to bed at 10.40pm even though we threatened to come and wake him up.    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    1Not the most glamorous of celebrations, but there you go...
    It was quite windy and cold out on the deck...This looks much more serene than it isMuch better inside!Coffee, in the sun, in a nice peaceful bayThe village of Supetar is lovelyThe island is famous for its white limestone, so there is a lot of it!The view from one supermarket showing you the view from the other supermarket.1The sea was rough that day my friends.Ooohhhh, the kids are playing together...The sunset turned our mountain view redRoman ruinsPostira at dusk

    Supetar

    December 15, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    A fairly relaxed day today although it did carry on after the very late night excitement at the release of ATAR rankings. Our very unassuming son walked into the bathroom where Craig and I were cleaning our teeth, put toothpaste on his brush and said "99.8". Kate jumped out of bed and came into the tiny little bathroom too, so we did our best to congratulate him through mouthfuls of toothbrush and toothpaste.

    So proud of his absolute and unwavering dedication.

    Craig, Kate and I drove to Supetar to stock up on groceries and look for fishing gear. There were three gigantic supermarkets within metres of each other with the most amazing views. Hard to see how such prime real estate was bought for a grocery shop! We stopped for a coffee on the waterfront in a small bay.

    Although we had brilliant blue skies, it was VERY windy today and got worse as the day progressed. Glen and I cracked on with the world's hardest jigsaw puzzle. Craig and Kate walked to some nearby Roman ruins.

    EDIT: It is 10.30pm and we quite literally just had to batten down the hatches. Gail force winds. Just went outside to rescue a sun lounge from the rocks about to disappear into the sea, chairs on the patio being blown around etc, so decided to close the shutters. The sound of the wind is really loud!    Read more

  • Gabrielle IngramVienna & CroatiaTraveler
    The furniture moved a fair bit during the night
    These trees were growing sidewaysView walking into SplitskaDon't be fooled, it was windyCaffe stopBeautifulKate's cat encounter for the dayCreative pavingProgress on the impossible puzzle

    Splitska

    December 16, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    We survived the night but various members of the household found it difficult to sleep next to a noisy sea.

    Craig, Kate and I walked a 6km round trip to the next village of Splitska this morning. It was so windy at times I felt like my legs were being pushed along. When we got to Splitska we stopped for a coffee. Although today we may have preferred sitting inside, all the locals were inside and smoking, so we demonstrated our crazy tourist nature and sat outside in the sun (and wind) with beautiful bay views. The owner obviously thought we were a little bit nuts.

    To be fair, walking in these conditions would have looked like the residents of the local asylum were let out for an excursion for the day. Still, we did reach 10,000 steps today 😄

    The rest of the day was spent doing the impossible jigsaw puzzle in the warmth.    Read more

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