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From rainy days at Plitvace Lakes National Park to clear blue skies in Zadar, Croatia
Hello my deary dears. GREETINGS from Zadar, Croatia!
Sorry for my shortie on the blog yesterday. I was barely able to keep my eyes open!
So let's now quickly catch up... Our lovely accommodations in Krvavec was at the ski resort waaaaay up high in the Julian Alps. The drive was hairy. It was dark. The road - wasn't so much a road. And I was every bit of nervous that I could possibly be. The last thing on my mind was that we still had to get down and then back up yet again. Well luckily we found out that most guests take the gondola up there and don't even bother with the road thingy. So there we were, all checked out and ready to head down and then hit the road...
And then on the road we went.
Now here's what you missed - Or maybe I should say the thing that I almost missed! Plitvice Lakes National Park The one place that I was most looking forward to seeing in Croatia. Why on Earth would I miss it? Well luckily I didn't. But here's what happened... Dave Y. and I hit the road from Krvavec, Slovenia and drove across the border into Croatia and to Plitvice National Park. The drive took there about of 3.5 hours. It was raining upon our fairly late arrival and DY had to pee. I suggested that he pee once we actually purchase our entry tickets - the park stops selling tickets 2 hours before the park closes. Well Mr. Y. just couldn't wait and ran to the toilet. Once he emerged, we walked to the ticket counter. We were the last visitors of the day. We got our tickets at the very last possible moment! You know that my stress levels were rising and I was ready to be quite upset with Mr. Y. but he got lucky and we got in. And since it was raining, the skies might not have been all blue and perfect for my pictures, but the rain also scared the masses of tourists away and I was lovin' every second of that!
And then someone got hurt!
Just seconds after DY had alerted me to be careful and not to hit my head on the jagged rock overhang, this tall guy - MR. Y. went ahead and did that very thing. UGH OUCH! The cut (although minor) had cause plenty of blood dripping down his face.
We toured until we could tour no more and the dark was upon us. Our tour around the lakes had come to a finish and off to Zadar we went...
For more on Zadar please read 5 Reasons to Visit Zadar, in Elisa's column. I'll be back tomorrow with more pics and memories of my experiences in Zadar. Have a great one until then, -Travelin' Tanya |
World Tourism Day 2019, 5 Reasons to Visit Zadar, Croatia and Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
Well hello and happy Friday. Another weekend is upon us and all I can say is WOW regarding the GORGE weather we have been having!!! Fall is finally here in the northeast.
I have no time to waste today. Lots to chat about. First of all today is World Tourism Day 2019. Rather than go into it, let me simply get right into my latest article in both ThisistheBronX.info and HeartofTheBronx.com
This year marks the thirty-ninth year of World Tourism Day with the theme “Tourism and Jobs, A Better Future for All.”
Beginning in 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization began the annual celebration of World Tourism Day on September 27 with the purpose of raising awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide. Each year, a new theme is chosen and as per the UNWTO General Assembly decision at its Twelfth Session in Istanbul, Turkey in 1997, a host country is designated each year to act as the Organization’s partner, and this year, excitement abounds in India, this year’s World Tourism Day host! read more...
Zadar, Croatia
This week, Tanya has made her way around various destinations in eastern Europe and her latest jaunt was visiting Zadar in Croatia. Home to a historic old town of Roman ruins, medieval churches, cosmopolitan cafes and numerous museums situated on a small peninsula, Zadar is a fascinating city. It’s not too crowded and a must-visit when in Croatia. Let's find out why this Adriatic city is worth visiting!!
5 Reasons to Visit Zadar Croatia
1. OLDEST ADRIATIC CITY
Zadar is the oldest continuously-inhabited Croatian city having been populated since prehistoric times. In fact, the earliest evidence of human life comes from the Late Stone Age, while numerous settlements have been dated as early as the Neolithic.
The people of Zadar, Iadasinoi, were first mentioned in 384 BC as the allies of the natives of Hvar and the leaders of an eastern Adriatic coast coalition in the fight against the Greek colonizers. 2. HISTORY OF TRADING INDUSTRY
By the 7th century BC, Zadar had become an important centre for their trading activities with the Phoenicians, Etruscans, Ancient Greeks and other Mediterranean peoples. From the early days of Roman rule in the 7th Century, Zadar developed into one of the most flourishing centers on the eastern Adriatic coast, lasting for several hundred years.
3. IMPORTANT RENAISSANCE CENTER FOR ART & LITERATURE
Between the 15th and 17th centuries Zadar was an important Renaissance center, producing an array of Italian Dalmatia architects, sculptors, painters and scholars. Additionally, along with Split and Dubrovnik, Zadar was one of the centers of the development of Croatian literature.
4. HOME TO NUMEROUS CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
The city contains a plethora of cultural institutions to visit, which include:
The Archaeological Museum Founded in 1832, the museum holds more than 100,000 items and artifacts from all cultural and historical periods from Palaeolithic time to the end of the 11th century. The Museum of Ancient Glass One of the city's newest attractions, the museum contains the premium collections of Roman glassware outside Italy, with a cornucopia of goblets, jars and vials retrieved from archaeological sites across Dalmatia. Arsenal Zadar If you enjoy experiencing first-class entertainment with exclusive concerts, exhibitions and many other events, the Arsenal is a must-visit. Located next to the city walls and the Muraj promenade, on the ˝Square of Three Wells˝ The Arsenal of Zadar dates from the 16th century. 5. TWO UNIQUE ATTRACTIONS NOT TO BE MISSED
Two of Zadar’s most popular attractions are the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation – two artistic installations, which utilize the power of nature to create beautiful sounds and sights for the everyone in Zadar to enjoy.
The Sea Organ is an experimental musical instrument, which plays music generated by the motion of sea waves through a series of 35 organ pipes built under a set of large marble steps. As the movement and energy of the sea, in terms of tides and winds, is unpredictable then the sea organ produces a infinitely long, random, yet mournful sound. The Sun Salutation is a 22 metre diameter solar panel formed from 300 multi-layered glass panels. Underneath these glass conduction plates, there are a series of solar cells. The solar cells absorb the Sun’s energy from sunrise to sunset, and convert this energy into electricity. The electricity produced is then used to light the entire waterfront at night – a unique example of an efficient and renewable energy source. Wow - so cool!!! Vegan Recipe of the Week: Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Chimichurri Sauce
Cauliflower steaks are an easy, go-to meal for me and my gang. They are super easy to make and very filling!!
Ingredients 1 large head cauliflower 1 tsp. ground cumin 5 tbsp. canola oil 1/4 c. loosely packed cilantro, finely chopped 1/4 c. loosely packed fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped 3 tbsp. red wine vinegar 1 small clove garlic, crushed with press 1 jalapeño chile, seeded and finely chopped Instructions
Cheers, Travelin' Elisa xoxo |