Hibernation is over!

Finally, we are reunited!

It has been a long and wet winter. So much so that some parts of me and things in me caught a bit of mold, like the driver's seat, a couple of cupboard dividers and a few clothes.

Oh well, at least the batteries are fine, the motor started on the first try and the fridge sprang to life immediately.

And, most importantly, my human is back, and we are ready for new adventures!

Itˋs been pretty exactly four months since she left me here in this little olive tree lined backyard, belonging to a friend of a friend, in Croatia, close to the small town of Porec.

While I was hibernating, she has been working double time to pile up some money we can blow over the coming five month or so.

She arrived late on Friday, just in time with the last daylight to re-attach the batteries, get the worst of the mold off me, make the bed and go to sleep.

We started this year's adventure on Saturday, planning on visiting Croatia (obviously), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, maybe the western part of Serbia and Greece. Let´s see how far we get.

Having been to Porec in November when we arrived, we had another little look around now in March. Things are starting to open up, there are definitely more businesses open and more people around. At least half of them Italian.

But since Istria used to be part of Italy until 1943 and is so close to the border, this is not surprising.

We didnˋt drive far on the first day, just a skip, hop and a jump over to Vrsar. Itˋs a pretty little town built on a small hill with great views over the Adriatic Sea from the top.

Since wild camping is strictly prohibited in Croatia, and apparently regularly enforced, one is happy to find “official” places to stay which are not campgrounds.

Like the one here next to Vrsar, which is literally 50 meters from the entrance to such a campground. Itˋs the overflow parking for people whoˋs spots are not free yet, and you are allowed to stay for 12 hours. Or closer to 40, in the off season, anyway.

Vrsar

Cassanova used to visit Vrsar back in the day

What a life!

We parked next to a bigger version of me and when my human got back from her walk around town and the harbor, our neighbors came home as well, a very nice couple from Austria, Jenny and Robert.

This day and the next, they had some good conversations, swapping tips and tricks, useful apps, how to avoid getting robbed - things campers talk about.

Robert even helped to fix a little issue on the bicycle.

Jenny & Robert; nice meeting you guys

Which lead to a rather extensive, not overly scenic tour around the area the next day, loosely following the course of the Limski Fjord, but hardly ever seeing it, which cuts 10km into the mainland.

Cat hotels, seen this before in Slovenia

Limski Fjord; one of the rare glimpses, but a good one

These two just jumped out of the bushes

More new (short-term) friends

Since it was so quiet the first night, we spent a second at the same spot.

On we went the next day to Rovinj, another charming seaside town.

It reminds one a bit of Venice, with itˋs small cobbled alleys and lanes. With the difference that you donˋt end up in a canal if you donˋt watch your step.

The seagulls are just as aggressive here as they are in Venice as well. You donˋt watch out for your lunch, you get attacked from behind and above and thatˋs that.

Rovinj from one side...

... and from the other.

The afternoon looked rather gray and threatening. Not to be deterred from her plan, my human went on another bike ride anyway, less scenic than the last, and was soaked by the time she got back.

Further down the coast is Pula, the largest city of Istria.

The Roman Theater here is one of the best preserved and most complete in the world, and the cities biggest attraction.

If I wanted to be nasty, I would say it is also the only one.

Almost forgot, there is also this 3rd Century arch

The attraction of the area is of course the coastline with itˋs islands, coves and beaches.

Some of the most idyllic are part of the Brijuni National Park, which you can reach by ferry from Fazana, a small fishing village 10 minutes drive from Pula.

History is abundant on these islands.

Beginning with the Romans, who had lavish villas and fortifications here, parts of which are still well-preserved.

President Josip Broz Tito established his summer residence here and welcomed leaders and dignitaries from all over the world in the White Villa.

Robert Koch studied Malaria here and succeeded in ridding the islands of the disease.

The Non-alignment-movement was founded here by Tito, Nehru and Nasser in 1956, as a reaction to the Korean War.

To name just a few things that happened here.

This floor mosaik is from the 1st Century AD!

Not the original but a good replica of "Danses Macabre" by Vincent of Kastav

A 1600 years old olive tree. It still bears fruit every year which is made into olive oil.

Carmelo having fun with the monument to an elephant that used to live on the island. His female mate still does.

Its skin is made of capital city maps.

Monument to Robert Koch

Kochˋs original microscope

Tito meeting interesting people, Fidel Castro,

Indira Gandhi,

Jawaharlal Nehru and Gamal Abdel Nasser

Oh, did I mention the dinosaurs?

That evening we had a stunning sunset, West coasts are just the best! Besides East coasts, obviously.

A short way from Pula is Kap Kamenjak, a protected natural area and the southern tip of Istria.
A lot of protected plant species grow here, including 23 varieties of orchid.
To round the peninsula on foot, you just follow the little path along the shoreline and enjoy the views.
My human even got to see some dolphins!

She got excited there for a moment, but just beause it says "Augustiner" on the outhside doesnˋt mean...

We spent the night right on the ocean, the only ones there as far as the eye could see.

There is something to say about the relentless sound of small waves hitting the land, "singing" you to sleep.

The next day held some unwanted and very much unasked for excitement. As we were trying to get going, my motor wouldnˋt start.

So we checked the connection on the battery, gave that a little jiggle.
Then the motor started, but a control light came on. Something about air in the system.

As we stopped to pick up some groceries, my human noticed that the fridge wasnˋt working and the battery display was playing havoc.

On the upside, the control light was now off.

Since we were a bit out in the woods, we drove to the next bigger town and visited a car shop. The owner sent us on to an auto electrician.
He checked the battery with a phasing tester, which sent some sparks flying.
It showed a full battery and next thing you know, the display was back to normal, also showing a full battery.

Letˋs hope it was just a jinxed day and there are no more surprises waiting for us. None of the electrical and engineering sort, anyway!