Aug 15 - Luck in Diklo

Highlights

The historic hostel

My new beach

Learnings

I’m not really alone

After the late night, I knew I would be sleeping in and with check out at 11 it worked out well. I had everything packed (again) and was on my way by 1030. This time moving to a new hostel - apparently when I booked the two nights through Hostelworld there was an error (surprise)and the hostel contacted me saying they only had one night available. I’m really not concerned - other than the packing - it’s been fun going to new places and new hostels - plus I didn’t really meet anyone here. Actually I was in a mixed room and it was mostly guys, I think there is still a timidness within that kind of weird intimacy of sharing a room.

I’m off! The info said it was an easy bus ride but I couldn’t find any info on buses to Diklo, so Uber I did. It was great actually to go this way - especially with my bags. Only ended up being 36Kuna which is about 7$ and it was a 15 minute drive so, the bus would have been only 10 Kuna.

I arrived earlier than check in would allow but Bruno the owner was very welcoming and gave me a place to leave my things while I geared up for the beach! In reading the reviews it noted the beach here was very nice. On my way I stopped quickly at a small grocery to grab a snack and a beer - it’s hot! So, I got two beer... and an orange with a fresh breaded hot dog! They are a little different here - fully wrapped in bread - I’ve seen them also open faced with cheese and things. So much bread here... everywhere. Bread. People eat it while walking down the street!? I would be dead. Bread dead. Was that a poem?

The woman working at the grocery - which by the way was maybe 10 by 16 feet - chatted with me a little saying she had family in Toronto! She asked if it’s cold and I noted that if we compared then yes, it’s absolutely frigid in Canada compared to this magic. She laughed.

My snacks in tow I headed to the water! There I stayed for the afternoon. Today is a chill day. Decompress. Although there was still some excitement! Now, they say being hit by a bird excrement is good luck... today was not my day - LUCKILY. Just minding my own, I didn’t even have my food out, and I hear something land beside my head - I know what you’re thinking or at least what I initially thought - a moth... I slowly prop myself up and timidly look to find on my towel the blackest bird shit I’ve ever seen. Could have been disastrous. Other than that, pretty relaxing.

I made it back to the hostel around 4 checked in and cleaned up a bit to venture out to Zadar for the evening. The bus does exist! I learned from Bruno, and it is very easy to use. I enjoyed the ac until about the third stop when 30 or so people were waiting to get on... glad I took a seat. It wasn’t so bad really. Everyone seemed to be beaching along this quieter stretch outside the city and then venturing back in similar to me for the night. Did I mention today is actually a national holiday in Croatia! I don’t think I did!!

Goodness I also didn’t mention my new hostel is a historic building! Located right beside a lovely little church! So, let’s put this together now. The reviews of the hostel actually noted the it was ‘annoying’ how the church bells rang every hour - I was like COOL! Then because of the holiday when I arrived this morning they had a huge crowd - the holiday is called ‘The assumption of Mary’ but basically is the Independence Day of Croatia - similar to what we would do for Canada Day. Croatians are also very very loyal to their country which I find very inspiring. I definitely feel a sense of home here. Especially since I get to chat with my mom while I’m here. She’s my first message most days - unless some friends are up super late and I’m up early. 8-9 hour difference. Mom hears about all my queries and knows so much from her trip here when she was younger. Mom - I know we talked about it but - I promise to bring you here with me. It will be such an amazing trip! Then my future daughter will travel and you her and I can go together! Ahem, maybe I’m getting a little ahead of myself.

Ok so there was quite a bit to tell about today. I kind of thought there wasn’t that much since it was pretty ‘lame’ compared to most days.

I walked through the city again, checked out a lot of tourist shops and picked up a few items as I’m packing a box to send home with a few other things - like every T-shirt I packed - my sleeping bag - and a couple other things. (Kees Amy if you’re reading this... heads up)

I just wanted a light snack so I went to a bar type stop and ordered a beer and pizza - thinking it would ‘snack’ size right? Wrong. Turns into a fricken full size pizza. I did what I could and took the rest to go, but the entire time I was there a british family sat next to me and it’s not JUST because you’re british Antony - it’s more so this guys demeanour that reminded me of you. Maybe you would have got along lol he had a daughter and son as well. They were having quite a time and also ordered a pizza - for the 4 of them! Im also quite sure the guy made fun of me when I left since I had eaten half the pizza to myself... maybe that was the familiarity I felt between him and you Antony (ha ha)

At this point I had enough, and walked back to the bus station only to find about 40 people trying to get on... half a pizza and a full beer in me, ain’t having none of that. Uber to the rescue. Bus is 10Kuna - Uber is 35Kuna. Take my money.

Hostel is amazing, but I would give both my feet for some ac. Only downfall really, reason I would give my feet? They’re so hot!