Ahh Eastern Europe you beautiful oasis between two foriegn lands. We had a great time in Eastern Europe even though it was shorter than we would have liked and probably longer than our budget can afford. We watched the waves roll in on the beach, climed castle walls, indulged in all things western, walked the streets of Sarajevo, and best of all we were able to spend time with Lindsey’s younger brother.

There really isn’t much that can be said against our time in the region, although I dont think anyone would complain if Croatia either instilled a diet/workout ethic or made some of the beaches a bit more “clothed”…

(Don’t forget to check out the Eastern Europe Photo Gallery here)

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July 3, 2009 – Day 190 – Zagreb, Croatia

Wow, Croatian food is not normally a top world cuisine but the pastries here are just out of this world! Definitely stop in at one of the many bakeries and feast on some of the delicious goodies they offer. Our favorites tend to be the blackberry, cherry and chocolate ones. My mouth is watering just imagining them!

Traditional Dancers not dancing

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July 2, 2009 – Day 189 – Zagreb, Croatia

It was a rainy morning and we used the time to get to Zagreb from Zadar. Zagreb is a very big, very traditional looking eastern European city with lots of great architecture, colorful heritage, and sketchy looking guys. It is a damp, dreary day and after strolling tentatively around the city square, we decided to head back to the hostel for a day “in.”

In the park

July 1, 2009 – Day 188 – Zadar, Croatia

Since Morgan has to leave on a late flight tonight, we had to head back to Zadar this morning. Saben and Lin checked into the hostel and then we spent a warm sunny day at the beach. The water is still quite cold but it is just as clear and blue as the famous pictures of Croatia suggest.

Ice cream tends to be where the action is

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June 30, Day 187: Sibenik, Croatia

Sightseeing in Sibenik. Very interesting and famous cathedral, a lovely old city, and dilapidated remains of the old castle walls. From the high walls, much of the city is visible but most spectacular is the view over the sea. It was a warm, clear blue day and we were able to see the nearby Kornati islands and boats of all sizes zipping through the azure water below.

Heads around the Cathedral

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June 29, 2009 – Day 186 – Sibenik, Croatia

A good base for visiting the Krka National Park, Sibenik is only an hour or so away from Biograd. When we arrived, we were scooped up immediately by a very flamboyant man with a bad toupee and a cheap room to rent. It was decent enough for a couple nights and after settling in, we set out for “Skradin,” the bus stop for visiting Krka. It was maybe 20 minutes from town and dropped us right at the park entrance.

Path through the park

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June 28, 2009 – Day 185 – Biograd, Croatia

In the park, we savored our pastries and passed around the orange juice in the early morning light. Today we spent a sunny, warm day on the pebbley beach of Biograd far away from the loads of naked and nearly naked vacationers and locals.

Beach...obviously

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June 27, 2009 – Day 184 – Biograd, Croatia

Picked up Morgan at the little airport in Zadar before heading to charming Biograd, about an hour and a half away! We’re really excited to have company and glad he could visit us all the way in Croatia!

Lin at the airport

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June 26, 2009 – Day 183 – Zadar, Croatia

A painfully slow travel day….Eight hours from Dubrovnik and we were the only 2 passengers on board the bus for at least 4 hours (so the driver felt compelled to “take breaks” at least once an hour). Very beautiful views on a very narrow mountain highway that winds back and forth, back and forth til you have nearly lost your head! In Zadar, had trouble finding lodging (just like Izmir). Had to take city bus 3km out of town to the HI hostel (cheap but lame place). Spent evening walking around the beach and throwing rocks in the water while we waited for the sun to set. Lindsey’s brother Morgan will be arriving to meet us tomorrow!

June 25, 2009 – Day 182 – Dubrovnik, Croatia

Feeling well rested and happy to have found such a great place to stay, we woke up early and walked back into the old town, about 20 minutes from our apartment. We easily found a cheap bakery for breakfast and enjoyed our pastries in the courtyard just outside the city walls looking down at the clear turquoise water below.

The blue sea

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