Cro-A-Ti-A Day 1

Travel and Arrival 


Let's begin with why this travel blog is titled Cro-A-Ti-A.  There is a classic moment in the classic sitcom Cheers, where, let's face it, many of their best bits were classics, the Coach is teaching Sam geography.  (Don't ask why, it doesn't matter.)  Coach tells Sam everything can be learned through a song, and he teaches Sam the Albania song.  Please watch the clip because it is, after all, a classic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_hlcieuNz

Croatia borders on the Adriatic, hence the adaptation for the title of this blog.  And yes, we have already been singing "Cro-A-Ti-A" more than a few times.

Our trip was uneventful, just a long day for two decidedly growing older by the minute people.  We went through some form of security, two involving the removal of all electronic devices, liquids, etc. into bins, at Charles DeGaulle airport in Paris, at least four different times as we changed gates.  As Dan said, we got our steps in, due in no small part to traversing the queue lines.  And for breakfast, I had a baguette avec fromage et jambon et buerre (baguette with cheese and ham and butter), washing it down with a small bottle of French granache rose.  C'est magnifique!  I was surprised that the airport was not awash in Olympic banners, etc.  Very understated, but then again, that's the French. n'est-ce pas?

We are staying in two large homes in Kastel Stari outside of Split.  More to come about the history of the area.  The roads/lanes/driveways in the neighborhoods are very narrow, making driving challenging.  Wi-Fi is also spotty, so hooking into Google Maps for directions can be difficult.  Consequently, we called our friends we are vacationing with, My Best Friend Jeanie, her husband, Bill, 3 of her 4 children and their spouses and grandchildren (numbering 8, ages 10-16), their exchange son Nico and his family (numbering 6) from Hamburg, to be lead to the house.  Even with an operating Google Maps, I don't believe we would have found it without that assistance.  The main property is tucked back through the narrow, winding, alleged roads (more like single car driveway size, which the locals traverse fearlessly).  The balconies overlook mountains and the Adriatic.  Native trees are producing figs, olives, lemons.  It is wonderful.

I didn't take any photos yesterday because, in all honesty, by the time we got here, we were pretty darn tired.  Our house is a quick 5 minute drive away--we'll figure out how to walk there in the next few days.  The beach is about a 15 minute walk away.  Today the plan is to figure out bus transportation into Split, which we also can see shimmering in the distance from the balconies.  Split is currently in the middle of a heat wave.  Yesterday it was 99 F, hot even for me who loves hot weather.  The heat will continue through this week, with the temperatures gradually declining to the low 80s by next week.  Fortunately there is a pool at the main house and I love watching the bonus grands cycle in and out of it all day.

More to come from Cro-A-Ti-A!

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