Knives & Kelly's TOP Croatia

It feels like a true vacation being in Croatia - and there is certainly no stress here. A big part of this has to do with the time of year we've chosen to hang out. Off-season Croatia is a beautiful thing. But with relaxation there is a bit less 'excitement' I suppose. Which is a really great thing for Kelly and I - remember there is a reason we camp in the back-country so often on Vancouver Island 😉. It feels good to get away from the pressure and stress of deadlines, meetings, projects, the Outlook Inbox, and being constantly connected by cell.

Now that I think about it, the tagline for this year abroad should really be: "We just do normal, everyday things in - not always so normal - places."

An average dog walk...

Kelly finds the Internet in Split.

So, here's a little breakdown of some of the things we love about this amazing country.

What I 💖 About Croatia: By Knives

1. I love how hospitable and welcoming everyone is here. We have made so many great friends here in Croatia. Where we haven't had friends and family visiting us, we are almost always enjoying a Hadjuk football game with our host Boris, fishing with his father Marikno, or enjoying the company of his extended family or friends. Croatians are generally all heart ALL OF THE TIME! (Well...except that guy that was upset at Kelly for walking the dogs on the beach the other night. But as soon as we said we were staying with Marinko, he changed his tone "Oh! Marinko! He is a very good man."

Hanging out with Marinko & Marija

Sunset Fishing in the Adriatic Sea

Croatian Parking Lessons with Boris

2. Because of Kelly, we get pegged as locals (ALL THE TIME). It was brought to our attention early on in this area that Kelly totally looks Croatian...and so we have been asked to recommend restaurants, told that our English is "really good!", and had our dogs photographed by tourists so much that they must be internet famous by now...!

Kona stealing the thunder of the glorious view

3. THE FOOD. Oh man, where do I even begin on this one?! First have the breads: which are just as fresh and warm as France, but there's more variety and you can get bread sweet or savoury or family sized! There are loaves of bread that are so large they could sustain you for a week! (or a true Croatian family for a single night - ha ha!).

Then there's the meat and seafood;

• Veal or lamb slow cooked by fire (Peka) under a bell ( ispod čripnje)

• langoustines in tomato, garlic and wine ( Skampi na Buzaru).

• Then there's squid, squid, and more squid! So sweet, super tender, unlike anything else in this world.

• Oh, and one of my new favourite discoveries: Sauteed swiss char with garlic, olive oil and potatoes (Blitva)

Traditional Peka

4. Driving the Omiš and Makarska Riviera. I think these views will always leave me in awe. It's been two months and I can still hardly believe my eyes every time we drive this jaw-dropping route.

Kelly's Favourite Things About Croatia:

1. Walking the Brela promenade in November because NOBODY is there. For those from Victoria, BC being in Brela in the autumn is like walking Dallas Road in the summer. The main difference being you only see four people over the course of 10km....and the water is warm enough to swim in. That to me is awesome. It's spectacularly beautiful!

2. You can go to a quality football game for the equivalent of $12 CAD and have a blast! For $20 CAD you can go to a world class Euro Cup qualifier! And it's SAFE! And so much fun! And a beer at the game is a 0.5L and only $4 CAD.

3. THE FOOD. For me it's too impossible to narrow down a single meal or restaurant. The food has been outstanding absolutely everywhere. Even in a high tourist area like Dubrovnik, the food was amazing! Where else can you get such a monster-sized pizza that is also quality; delicious, affordable, and fresh!

4. Pomegranates. ALL OF THEM.

There is really SO much we could talk about and recommend when it comes to Croatia, this is really a list of a couple of items from the top of our head.

For those interested, I will be writing more about Dubrovnik (we've been twice now) as well as sharing our experience along the Istrian Coast (where we spent most of September...wow that seems so long ago now!!)

But if anyone out there has any questions about our time time, or if you're wanting to plan a trip of your own please drop us a note!! We always love hearing from you!!

I can't believe there's only a few more months left of this adventure...time sure does fly.

Guess we'll be seeing you all again sooner than you might think!

Cheers,

xoxoxoxoxoxox