Croatia...just drive through Slovenia, and then you're at the beach!

We have just arrived home from a wonderful holiday in Croatia. Last Monday we rented a car and hit the road--the drive was approximately 6 hours plus traffic.  To get to Croatia from Vienna, there are numerous routes.  We drove through Burgenland, "The Sunny Side of Austria," through Slovenia, where we had lunch (both ways) at Pizzeria Diavolo (where they brew their own beer), and then down the Istrian Peninsula in Croatia.  The drive was beautiful, although we did hit a bit of traffic each way.  In fact, today it took us 2 1/2 hours to go about 5 miles, crossing the Croatia/Slovenia border.  It was like sitting in Jersey Shore Traffic on the GSPW on a Saturday morning in the summer.

We stayed in the small town of Banjole, which is in between Pula and Prementura.  It is a lovely little spot, and the location was perfect.  We stay at the Aparthotel Del Mar, which we would give *** out of *****.  Some things about the hotel were perfect--nice people, helpful staff, great pool, nice restaurant that was also Hersh friendly, and perfectly located.  We had a one bedroom apartment, so we could put Hersh to bed and then make dinner and enjoy our evening.  At the same time, there were some not so great things--one roll of toilet paper for your whole stay (we bought our own!), and broken air conditioning!!!!  It was sooo hot the first few nights, that Jacob and I each freaked out--me about not being able to breath because of the heat and Jacob because of all of the mosquitoes that came in because we left the window open.  You see, we didn't realize the A/C was broken.  It turned on and some air came out.  Also, hotel (and Croatian) policy is that the A/C can only be 5 deg C less than the outside temp.  Thus, we thought that although very hot, it was working.  Well, I couldn't take it anymore and contemplated sleeping in the car.  I spoke with the front desk and they fixed the A/C that day.  Needless to say, we slept much better after that.

Each day we woke up and spent the morning at the pool.  Hersh loved swimming around, jumping in and out, and standing in the shower.  We also enjoyed the poolside entertainment each morning--so hilarious.  We then had Hersh's nap, which gave Jacob and me time to watch some TV (which we love to do while on vacation).  Then we grabbed lunch and ventured out for the afternoon.  We visited different beaches each day and went into Pula to tour their Ancient Roman Ampitheatre.  Although there were free beaches everywhere, we really enjoyed the beaches inside of Kamenjak National Park best--well worth the 25 Kuna admission.  We found all sorts of slugs, snails, crabs, rocks, shells, and anemone for Hersh to enjoy and explore. 

It was such a wonderful week.  Freedom, beach, sun, and just the three of us.  And Hersh, there is so much to say about him. I can remember back to last summer when he was this wonderful new baby--the best baby I had ever met.  And now, he is a wonderful 1 year old.  He is easy going, happy, adventurous, funny, and just overall delicious.  He loved swimming and exploring, seeing new people and places, and trying new foods.  We  just feel so fortunate to have him as our son.  Each day with him is better than the last and it is so nice knowing that he is enjoying the life that he has been given.

Now we are turning our attention to these last two weeks of our life in Wien.  There is so much to do to be packed and organized before we leave.  At the same time, we will do everything we can to enjoy the time we have in this wonderful European city we call home.

Enjoying time at the beach:

Wading through the clear waters.

Inspecting snails.

A little swimming spot.

Jacob carries Hersh down the rocks to the water.

Post-swim chit chat.

Hersh telling Abba about what he sees in the trees.

Drying off after a swim.

Local Croatian wine; very nice.

Our favorite Slovenian pizzeria.

Enjoying breakfast.

 Ampitheatre in Pula:

Jacob explaining the map.

Hanging out:

Underneath the olive tree.

Twins!