It was just like they said it would be traveling to the coast. We exited a 3.5 mile tunnel under the mountains to brilliant skies, blinding sun and a 10 degree boost in temperature.  First, I dug out my sunglasses, and then I peeled off my jacket!

I was captivated by Zadar. This walled city, built on a peninsula, has the remains of a Roman-era forum, Venetian gates, and old churches. We parked the car and explored the tiny pedestrian-only historical city on foot.

A deep harmonious sound reverberated from the malecon. It was so mellow and calming.  The sound is generated from water movement under the sea wall forcing air upward through pipes and making mellow sounds similar to the sounds of wind chimes. They call it the Sea Organ.

Another unique installation on the malecon is the Greeting to the Sun, a large circular solar panel that comes to colorful life after dark and which, unfortunately, I didn’t witness.

(Look for links to YouTube to see and hear Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun videos at the end of the post.)

I was fascinated with The Church of St. Donatus which was constructed on top of odds and ends of recycled materials of an ancient forum. The church is quite old and unusually shaped. Only the central cylindrical core remains from its original form. The exposed foundations reveal the “recycled” pillars and beams from ancient monuments.

Link to Sea Organ video. Link to the Greeting to the Sun video.

Is Zadar on your radar?

Friends, we are doing great, and are happy and healthy in our Split apartment. We usually go out exploring every other day and I love letting the city slowly reveal itself to us. It’s a great walking city!

Coffee bars are abundant and are popular for friends meeting for a drink, but not eating.  Many of them are set up outdoors under awnings or with canvas walls. Some are glassed in with sliding panels to let in the fresh air. We like to find open ones in the sun especially to stay away from the cigarette smoke filled interiors. Fast food stands are very common as well.

Big news on the coffee front. Our apartment has a Nescafé Dolce Gusto machine by Krups and we are each drinking our coffee at home, usually 3-4 coffees a day. The pods cost about .35 each plus the milk, so we can drink 3 coffees at home for the price one at a coffee bar where they cost between 7-12 kuna ($1 – $1.80.) We have to walk a good long distance to buy the coffee pods since they aren’t sold in our little neighborhood groceries.

Food is always a big part of our day. We are constantly amazed at the many markets and bakeries we encounter; there are 3 of each on our block! As we encounter a new bakery, we slowly walk past, craning our necks to see if there’s anything new or interesting to tempt us.

The Burek (pictured below) is one of those new finds I’m crazy about (and it’s not sweet, nor chocolatey.)  Burek are stuffed with meat, cheese, or spinach. My favorite is the cheese. Baked in a round dish and cut into quarters, you want to get them when they are fresh and warm. It is wrapped in paper and you carry it out and hurriedly look for a place to sit and eat.

 

Next week we’ll Meet You in the Morning with more images from gorgeous Croatia.