Croatia day 4

Split to Dubrovnik drive day. One last selfie from our balcony looking down the promenade.

Then after a breakfast from a pastry shop, out through Diocletian’s palace basement one last time.

To say the Dalmatian coast is spectacular, is just because I have no words beyond that. The whole drive was insane.

We stopped for lunch and a bit of exploring in Makarska. Wow, unbelievable.

We even dipped our toes in the Adriatic before getting back on the road.

We made it to the Dubrovnik airport, turned in the car, then met our shuttle to Dubrovnik old town. 

Everything from Ploce Gate on just didn’t look real. We can’t wait to explore tomorrow. But first, dinner and a proper collapse. We are all pooped.

Croatia day 3

Madison and I were up before Abigail and Bailley, so we walked to a bakery and got coffee.

Well, all the pastries and one coffee made it back. This time it was Madison’s turn to take a tumble (we had just all talked about sicknesses and injuries on trips). A slip on the marble and down they went. A banged knee and two less coffees.

After breakfast, we just explored more of the old town, even going outside the walls to a beautiful little park.

We also explored an open air market that’s open every day. 

We decided to take a hop-on-hop-off bus. We learned some interesting facts and got to see a wider area than just walking. We got off near an archeological museum, but it was closed.

We then walked a bit further to an art museum. It was small, but really nice. The view of the Adriatic from the road in front was tough to beat as well.

Then back to hang/dry clothes we washed and rest a bit. Then a walk through town with a stop for the sunset on the promenade before walking to dinner.

After dinner, the girls went to a really cool bar, while I went to a nanobrewery. But got rave reviews.

Tomorrow we leave to drive south… stopping where we feel.

Croatia day 2

Power packed day today. We got up early and had breakfast at the Airbnb. The lady at the Airbnb not only provided a great spread of food, but good info on Plitvice national park.

We walked to the close, third, hidden entrance, hopped on the boat that took us to the base of the upper lakes. We hiked all the upper lakes… just stunning.

We then took the ‘bus’ down to 2 then 1. The thought being we might hike a tad more. But after buying souvenirs and rain ponchos, it got even colder and started really raining.

So instead, just bus to 2, boat back to our entrance and hiked back to our car. We left Plitvice and drove to Split, stopping on the way for food at a little bistro. 

While we were driving, Bailley landed in Split and beat us to the Airbnb. 

Whew… feels great to be in 100%, full force!

Funny story: we chatted about things to do in Split… my comment was that my only must see/do was Diocletian’s Palace. Ummm the rental until is in the palace grounds. To get in, one route is through the basement of the palace. It’s just insane.

Split seems really nice… can’t wait to explore more tomorrow.

Croatia day 1

We all woke up about 9am. A bit later than expected, but probably good for everyone. Right outside the apartment is the Zagreb marathon. We crossed the race then walked toward Zagreb Cathedral and hit the main square. Beautiful square, with marathon, and nice Sunday market.

Got coffees/drinks and then Zagreb Cathedral. We listened in on the morning service as it’s still a working church.

Just an unexpectedly cool place.

Beautiful park near the art pavilion.

Then to grab lunch. Madison found the coolest spot, Heritage Croatian. Everything was grown in Croatia and the waiter told the story with each meal… was so cool. From the sausage to the olive oil to the wild oregano collected by a grandmother, to the cheese from cows and sheep… where no salt is added since they are near the sea and the wind blows salty air on the grass they eat… was crazy and crazy good.

We drive from Zagreb to Plitvice national park. The scenery looks stunning… can’t wait for our hike tomorrow. Here’s the Airbnb… very fairy tale-esque.

Way up on this mountain inside the national park… one restaurant. And how do we start? Shots!

We _think_ it was slivovitz, a plum brandy. Very tasty. Only ‘bad’ thing was, the waiter kept on bringing more… and more. We will see how hike-y we are feeling tomorrow!

Croatia travel day

Four different sets of flights from three different starting points… always a bit of an episode of Amazing Race kinda feel. Who will make, what will happen. My flights seems the easiest… Austin to Frankfurt then Frankfurt to Zagreb.

In fact, I’m waiting on the Zagreb flight while I  post this. Still learning how the front section works. I think I have the ordering down… seat operation, check. But new wrinkle… they handed out ‘sleep shirts’. Umm sure, I want one. But then I was too scared to ask what I do with it and I wasn’t watching others closely enough to copy, so mine went unused. I’m still learning… maybe next time.

Hopefully I’m awake enough when I get there that I can drive the car and get to the parking garage without my trusty navigators and guides. More later.

Short flight from Frankfurt to Zagreb, then got rental car. Ugh, the insurance hard sell is just so slimy. I can’t help but feel like they’ll try to pull something. Oh well. I did video the car… but in the rain so cannot tell much.

Drove the few miles to downtown to a parking garage. Walked to the apartment. And here I am… trying my best to stave off collapse.

The area is super cool. Wish we had more than a day here, but lots to see and do!

9:24 and we full force, all early attendees made it! 

Japan to home travel day

​    Well, got up and evaluated (again) our time left and plans. Quite the vacation, so we are running on fumes. We left Madison at the Airbnb while Abigail, Bailley, and I walked around one last time, keeping an eye out for anything open. Slim pickings, so hit the 7/11 for a random cornucopia. 

    We eat and drink and talk about the trip, then start picking up and cleaning and organizing before leaving. The plan morphed into all go to Shinjuku, go to a fluffy pancake place, then we take Narita express, leaving Madison for two more days on their own. We say bye to Makoto, the Airbnb owner, and take our last walk down ‘our street’ as we got to know it.

    By the time we reach Shinjuku and then have some issues finding the place, we decided we’d better just try to get to the airport. We said our goodbyes and left Madison to hunt down the pancakes while we searched for the train to the airport. 

    We made it, got bags situated, past security, past immigration, grabbed food and then rested at the gate. In case you were wondering, the report on the pancakes was very positive 😂.

    Great great trip. It sure helped a lot to have Ryo and Yoshiko as people I literally asked all the stupid American questions… and I always got in depth explanations. I can unreservedly recommend a trip to Japan. Nine days and it’s clear we barely scratched the surface to this beautiful country. 

    Until next time!

Japan day 8

     Last full day... wow... this was a good trip!

    Today was day two of two for Madison's tattoo, while Bailley, Abigail, and I went to Disney Sea. But first... breakfast. 

    Then a long metro ride to Disney Sea with a bonus Disney monorail to finish it off.

    Abigail and Bailley wanted to see it all and shop, but we've taken to only riding rides that have a single-rider line and then us all getting in it. That has worked out wonderfully. In Disney Sea we rode one roller coaster, Raging Spirits, and one immersive ride, Peter Pan. 

    Then we split up with them wanting to explore more and me wanting a beverage and sit. However, I got neither! I did end up getting a bite to eat at the very front of the park and they joined me just as I was finishing. They hit one more store, then we reversed our route and headed back to the rental... only stopping at a Santoku convenience store to buy snacks and drinks, because the feeling is that we are so tired, that we will not get out again tonight. Safe bet.

    Madison is done with their tattoo, and is going to go to the eight story stationary store we hit yesterday and maybe grab food before coming back.

    What an epic trip this has been!