Croatian Paradise: Part II

Fourth day included walking up to the castle and taking a last glance over Hvar Town. On the ferry trip back to Split I was chatting with three Australian siblings in their 50s and 60s. They were there to see the ruins of the house where their Grandpa used to live before leaving Croatia behind in 1930s. They brought a picture of him inside the stones so now he got back home. How sweet. All of a sudden I started to miss OZ though after hearing the accent and remembering the kindness of the people there. Our way continued to Makarska where we checked the beach (this time we couldn't avoid the crowds) and had a good look around. How I would've like to join the yogis on the beach during the sunset! 

 The view from our balcony at Luka's Lodge, big recommend!

 The fortress Spanjola

 Somewhat impressive view over the town. Pay attention to those biggest boats on the left and right, gonna buy similar ones one day. ;)

 I cannot help it but this picture reminds me of history books

 On the left saying goodbye to Hvar Town and on the right para sailor in the sky. 

 Beautiful sunset and lighthouse in Makarska

 Touristic place since they sold those locks right next to this place..

 Dancer pose - I guess everyone notices I wasn't born to be a dancer. :D

One of my many ice cream portions! <3

Next day we were supposed to go to an organized trip with fish picnic and a visit to Brac Island. They never picked us up though.. An hour and 15 minutes we waited until we gave up. Luckily we got the refund but will never choose the travel agency Atlas again. However, I wasn't disappointed, rather glad. As I say, things happen for a reason and some ”bad” things happen so that something better could occur. We decided to go for a walk to the mountains. Our short walk turned into 7 hours of climbing up stony ground that was full of moving screes up to the peak Vosac (1 425 m high which is higher than the highest point in Finland, Halti 1 323 m) and back down with less than a half litre of water and two small bags of nuts each. Extreme sports I would say! The views from the top were magnificent. It was a crown to our great trip.

 Looks a bit like in Lappland

On the left one can see the top. On the right there's one happy (and exhausted) wanderer. 

 Sunbeams were playing on the surface of the water

 There was a chamois (goat-antelope) in the distance making sure we would get down safely

After getting down it felt unreal that we had been there on top! 

The next two days consisted of sitting in the bus from Makarska to Rijeka (enjoying the views of the Croatian coastline) and Rijeka-Zagreb-Vienna. I was quite happy, though, since my legs were hurting. Haha, after the hike, all I could dream of was the never-ending rocky path from the top of Vosac back down (since coming down isn't one of my strengths). I could really feel my legs everytime we had a short break and I was going down a couple of steps. Our hostel in Rijeka was full of positive energy and smileys all around. I noticed smiling all the time although the weather was rainy and cold (after 30 degrees one would usually complain about the bad weather).

"We'll be raising our hands, shining up to the sky. 'Cause we got the fire, fire, fire, yeah we got the fire, fire, fire. And we gotta let it burn, burn, burn." One of the most amazing sunsets I've ever seen!

Positivity breeds positivity - Hostel Kosy in Rijeka was full of these kinds of notes

Getting back to Vienna and own room was nice and the building doesn't remind a ghost town anymore since a lot of people have arrived. We'll see what the orientation program will bring along!

Hvala Hrvatska (Thank you Croatia), I'll be back one day! :)  

Croatian Paradise: Part I

After 10,5 hours of sitting in the bus (not in a row, thank God!) and exploring Zagreb me and my friend arrived in Split at 01.30 am. I could say it was a pretty long day since I woke up at 6.30 am the day before. A lot happened during that day and we were pretty exhausted once we got to Split. One thing I was really wondering: on the way to Croatia there was a pass control which I do not get since Croatia is part of the EU nowadays as well as Austria and Slovenia. There was no border control between Austria and Slovenia for that matter. Maybe it's due to the quite recent joining the EU. Moreover, a person worthwhile mentioning was a man working for Autotrans Croatia who was our interpreter when we bought our bus tickets in Zagreb. He also gave us his business card in case we would have any problems during our travellings. This is what I call Croatian hospitality! 

Some pictures from Zagreb where we had our 5 hour pit stop

Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Towers - ruined and reconstructed

The colourful roof of the St. Mark's Church in the distance

The view over Zagreb from the Lotrscak Tower

A love letter on a shattered glass - Museum of Broken Relationships and a sailor in a tree

There was an ear, too!

We didn't take a taxi to the hostel but instead we walked all the way (since the friend of mine doesn't trust taxis abroad). In the harbour we saw some cheerful people coming from the bars, somewhat drunk. In the city centre we didn't see that many people though. Our way continued through narrow alleys sure that we were lost. After all we spotted the sign ”Hostell Nikolla” and walked to a garden. Their 24/7 reception wasn't something I am used to. I had to call someone who obviously was sleeping. The person told us to ring a bell at the entrance which we had missed. I could hear someone snooring upstairs and after a while some steps – so we woke up not only one but two persons. It probably goes without saying that we were quite embarrased with my friend but one gotta do what one gotta do. Our apartment (yes: apartment) for the first time was cosy and the air-con functioned so well that we were shivering during the night with only the sheets as our blankets.  

Our hostel's garden, there were some grapes and kiwis growing - yummy!

This is how the alley looked like in the day light. Kind of creepy during the night. Wouldn't have gone there alone..

The highlights of the second day were the breakfast in a cool cafe called Figa where the tables were placed in the stairway and the walk to a remote beach. I am not that into crowded beaches where one has to look for a one square metre spot for ages. So I rather walk a while and stay somewhere further away. The sun was out and the water was nice. That was actually the first dip to Adriactic Sea and how I loved it (even though the water is a bit more saltier than in Baltic Sea)!

Delicious sandwiches!

Split Harbour

From the look-out point

On the beach

Summer toes!

Sea, sun and a sailing boat <3

On our third day we crabbed breakfast and off we went to Hvar Island. It took an hour to reach the island by ferry which cost 60 kunas (less than 8 euros). Our hostel was on the hill so the view from our balcony was impressing. I really enjoyed the rugged coastline and the nature in general. We were lying on a rocky beach which doesn't seem to be that comfy but once you got settled, it was actually pretty okey. The rocks were slippery so one had to be extremely careful on the way to swim. In the evening just enjoying pizzas and the atmosphere at the harbour + one of many icecream portions (can you believe it, one scoop for 7 kunas which is less than a euro!)

Kokolo, the best breakfast place right next to the harbour

The rumour has it if one rubs the toes of the statue's left foot, one will come back to Split. I already did, twice!

Chrystal clear water!

The mermaid on a cliff :D

Sunset

To be continued 

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.” - A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

What I've learnt during the couple of last days is that things somehow arrange in the end. Also the saying ”better food, better mood” is absolutely true! (Haha, me after getting this piece of Sachertarte!)

During my couple days of stay in Vienna I've encountered endless queues, not-so-pleasent bureaucratic changes and end up being in situations which are totally unusual for Finnish people – asking help of random people (when realizing that one cannot pay the student card fee, 18 euros, with non Austrian bankcard. Of course the fee needs to be paid in order to be able to get the travelling card, Semesterkarte, which we by the way didn't get half the price due to the late registration to the city: It should've been done by 1^st of September which is a convenient rule since exchange students get their appartment earliest on 2^nd of September. I kind of forgot how to be a polite customer even though I've been working in customer service for years..). Well at least the random guys were really helpful at university even though they might have been thinking for a second whether we really had cash or not. But as mum said, at least I got a friend with me and didn't have to do it all by myself!

In the end, we got our keys, made the registration, got our student cards with pictures and our prepaids with Internet (not possible to call abroad or send SMS but you can call to me, how nice is that! In case you need the Austrian number: +43 660 396 1015.). After taking care of business, we decided to head to the city center and just start walking to some direction without any maps and tourist guides. We ended up in a nice café with live piano music and relaxed atmosphere. After eating my first Sachertarte here, I was convinced it wouldn't be my last one. All of you who know how much I love chocolate probably started to smile, haha. If I want to stay somewhat fit, I have to find a gym after the...

...CROATIA TRIP!

Reserving the bus tickets was not that smooth either but in the end I got the tickets to email. The route will be: Vienna-Zagreb-Split-Makarska-Rijeka-Zagreb-Vienna! So a lot of sitting in a bus but most of all sunbathing and enjoying the chrystal clear, turquoise Adriatic sea!! Probably some island hopping included as well. If you are not familiar with the map of Croatia, here it comes.

Am I ready for the take-off?

I woke up today at 8.25 am, at the exactly same time my flight is leaving tomorrow! I guess my mind is already on the way..

As many of you might now, I have been on exchange once before, 18 months ago in Australia. Now it's time to go again but it hasn't been an easy decision, though. I was having a constant inner battle from the beginning of the exchange application process whether to take the chance or not. All the duties were crossing in my mind: I was thinking that maybe I should've applied for a job, try to finish uni.. Now just before the take-off I'm quite pleased that I said "yes" instead of "no". Once life gives you opportunities, you'd better take them. Otherwise, life just might stop offering them.

So what are my goals for the second exchange. First of all, I am aiming at improving my German skills (weil Deutsch macht viel Spaß!). I usually refuse talking languages I don't master because there is a slight chance of making myself ridiculous while in reality most people would be left in awe even with the most basic conversation skills.

So getting rid off the inner blocks is one thing. Getting to know new people is another. Enjoying the rich culture (cafeterias and opera) alongside with idyllic wine tastings (how that reminds me of my travellings in OZ, NZ and Argentina..!) the third - haha what would have been more suitable blog title for a wine lover than Wein in Wien (i.e. Wine in Vienna in German). However, most of all I'm looking forward getting new experiences and growing up a little bit as a person and finding new layers of myself.

Stay tuned!