I have been eager to visit Croatia ever since I heard about the gorgeous coastline and succulent seafood. The local airline German Wings has a special discount fare service called "Blind Booking." You just book flights within 60 days of your optimal travel dates by choosing one of many destination categories (Culture, Sun & Beach, Gay-friendly, Metropolis). Thus, it's "blind" because you don't know exactly where you fly until you have entered dates and payment info (price always between 59-99 euro roundtrip). We picked "Sun & Beach" knowing we would be happy to fly to any of the potential destinations (including Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Ibiza, Crete...). We got online with the Ballards for our first "blind booking" drumroll......... Rijeka, Croatia!? At first, it was a bit anti-climatic, having never heard of Rijeka, but after researching the area we were relieved to find scuba diving and beautiful beaches (priorities for this trip).
We rented apartments, a few hundred meters from the beach, in the town of Baska on the island of KRK.
 |
Adriatic Sea with the island of Prvic in the distance
Baska has a fishing harbor and unique pebble beaches.
|
The seafood was fresh and inexpensive.
|
 |
| Octopus salad and sardines |
There is a long promenade running along the beach with many souvenir stalls, restaurants, and bars.
 |
| 1st night exploring the beach "boardwalk" |
Mariel & Joe are fun travel mates because they also like to eat family style!
 |
| Black risotto, Mussels, Greek salad, and a Huge grilled fish fresh from the Sea |
Gelato stands were everywhere! Many years ago, Baska was considered part of Venice so the Italian influence is strong and delicious.
 |
| Red Bull gelato- barf |
 |
| Scoots was handed this creative monstrosity after requestng a small "cup" |
 |
I ordered dark chocolate and the gelato man named my cup "The Barack Obama"
The next morning, we went scuba diving with a Danish Padi Dive Center. |
 |
View of Adriatic Sea from Squatina Dive Shop
On Dive Boat - Ghana hat's first vacation |
 |
| View of Karst Velebit Mountain and parasailor in the distance |
 |
| Pals in hats |
 |
| Mariel's first real dive trip after certification in a German lake- Yay to clear water |
Speedos are the most popular apparel in Croatia (based on my observations).
 |
| Boat Captain Dario with Scuba Scoots |
 |
| Floating in my thick wetsuit with dive boats in background |
 |
| Sunscreen is crucial - Zinc, a key ingredient, does not absorb easily |
I stayed on board in the afternoon and learned some Croation words from the boat captains. Živjeli (jiv-e-leee) means "cheers" and hvala (pronounced like the Aussie animal Koala) means "thank you" and was thus easy to remember.
 |
| Dario and I sharing beers and repeatedly clanking "Jivili" practicing my Croatian skills |
After diving, it was time for chilling with refreshments back in town.
The relaxing beach bar had a special playlist (Elvis, Snow "Informer", Spanish techno...) and a wonderful vantage point to observe Eastern European tourist's sensible approach to fashion:
 |
| Classic fanny pack, turtleneck and wide brimmed hat (that made Scoot's jealous) |
 |
| White speedo - no white thighs on this guy |
 |
| This boxer brief style suit is what I call a "Euro speedo" - it appears less aggressive than a typical banana hammock |
We found Bistro Francesca (ranked #1 on Trip Advisor) in the Old Town and enjoyed a splendid late evening dinner. Mariel ordered the greatest fried calamari which I helped devour.
 |
Scoot's black risotto with squid ink and prawns
Mariel, bored of our routine photo shoots, encouraged us to "pose"
After dinner, we checked out the party scene and Daft Punk's "Up all night" was playing on repeat in every bar.
|
 |
| Tall Europeans with very tall straws in their tall fruity cocktails |
The next day, we rented beach chairs with amazing face shields (pebble beach not optimal for towels).
 |
| Many views on the beach seemed unreal (fake?) |
 |
| Structure in distance on left for jumping, Scoot's new bandana look |
 |
| Joe excited to chug his 2 Liter plastic bottle of beer (approx 4 Pints and destined to get warm) |
On a stroll, I was not shocked to see a plethora of fanny packs and Crocs.
My favorite style is the speedo with a fanny pack around the waist so it's drooping down to cover the man package. It is a sight to behold but unfortunately I did not capture it on film (from the front).
 |
| View from behind of the "speedo fanny pack combo" |
 |
| Vendors all over beach sell fresh corn and fried potatoes ( I prefer Jamaicans who sell fresh coconut and pineapple) |
 |
Baby Croatian sporting mini croc sandals while begging for gelato
 |
Halleluya No Speedos on these specimen
|
The crowded beaches and fantastic people watching reminded me of Ocean City, MD (FYI- this is a complement since I LOVE boardwalk games, fried dough, pina coladas, and rednecks). |
After working up an appetite, we feasted on a late lunch at Amadeus (known for the baked octopus that must be ordered 3 hours ahead).
 |
| Local lager beer reminded us of refreshing Mexican beers |
 |
| House Specialty Baked Octopus, well worth the wait! |
So far, all the Italian food was top notch so we had to try a pizza.
 |
Succulent Quattro formaggio (4 cheese pizza) Al Forno style (wood fire oven)
Later, I was peer pressured to go swimming in the chilly crystal clear Sea.
|
 |
| Scoots romantically carried me over the rocky beach but devilishly dropped me in the deep water |
We swam many meters to a wood structure and climbed up to the top.
 |
| BRRRRRRRRR - goose bumps galore |
 |
| Scoots flying into the air like a tai chi master |
 |
| Graceful Mariel the mermaid |
 |
| Super GI Joe flying off the structure |
 |
| Scoots attempting to do the "running man" |
 |
| Croatia is a happy land! |
We plan to go back and experience more Croatian culture and nature! Next time we must check out the Plitvice Lakes National Park:
