Croatia

From Austria, we decided it was time to start heading South! We had heard only  but wonderful things about Croatia, so off we went! From Salzburg we had to take a 14 hour night bus to Split (our first Croatian destination). It was a bus ride from hell. First off, we don't think many people enjoy being on a bus for that amount of time. Second, we usually each have 2 seats to ourselves (able to stretch out and sleep), yea not on this baby! Bailey was stuck with a woman who insisted on spreading her legs out as far as they could go, and I was situated next to a man I swear was a part of the Mafia. We got about 3 hours of sleep each, and the bus was really really hot. Fun had by all! 

Arriving in Split, was like heaven on Earth! We stepped off the bus and had to start takin' off some layers! Plus 18 degrees and sunny! Yay! We were oh so very happy. Another thing that made us happy is that Croatia is cheap! Compared to all the other countries we had previously been in, we felt loaded here. Our hostel was cheap and as a bonus we had it all to ourselves! Nice room, big kitchen, and a lovely little veranda to hang our freshly washed clothes on. Like having our own apartment. We had been pretty hustle-bustle so it was really nice to just relax. And doing so on a beach doesn't really hurt. We were only about a 10 minute walk down to the water, so most days we sauntered down threw the market and got to laze by the sea for as long as we liked. :) 

Theres a large, large hill in Split called Marjan. It has about 3000 steps, but trust us it's worth it! The view from the very top is breathtaking. Mind you, our breath had already been taken climbing our bums up the hill! (that was a bad joke). Anyways, the hike was at times a struggle but it was fun and refreshing and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! From the top you can see most of Split, as well as all the surrounding islands. Seriously, SO beautiful. Blissful moment indeed. Our last evening, we sat along the water, drank some Stella's and watched the sun set over the horizon with sailboats casting their shadows upon the light. Perfection if we do say so ourselves. 

From Split, we headed to Dubrovnik (capital of Croatia). The bus to get there took us on a crazy, windy coastal road. But beautiful view! Although, at some points it was really quite nauseating. At one point I had to close my eyes and keep telling myself "we're just on the highway to Humboldt, we're just on the highway to Humboldt" (anyone who has driven it knows it's the straightest road ever). But we made it to beautiful Dubrovnik, and once again stepped off the bus loving the sun and the warmth. We stayed at Dubrovnik Backpackers Hostel, owned by the sweetest, kindest old couple ever. And the BEST THING EVER, the hostel had a KITTY! We're pretty huge cat freaks, so this made our life quite complete. It was the cutest little thing ever, that loved to follow us around and cuddle. 

We spent lots of time down by the harbor, which is beautiful! The Old City part of Dubrovnik is awesome. You feel like your in a completely different place, lost somewhere thousands of years old. There are so many little alley ways and old stairs leading you to the coolest tucked away cafes and stores. Our last day in Dubrovnik, was plus 22 degrees. We of course headed to the beach! Copacabana Beach! ("At the Copa! Copacabana!", c'mon you know the song!). On our way back to the hostel, the weirdest most awesome thing ever happened. We walked down a residential/beach house kind of area and we saw a pretty little kitty. Then! There were two cats. Then, all of a sudden five cats. All different colors, all so cute! We walked, they followed. It was awesome. Then, we look back and there is cats literally coming out of every bush, from under every car, everywhere! We just stood there, would take a few steps, another cat would emerge. It got up to 15 CATS. We aren't even kidding. One five. Fifteen! They kind of just all sat there and surrounded us. So yes, you may now refer to us as "the cat whisperers". 

You have cat to be kitten be right meow ;)

M & B