Opatija, Maps, And Another Road Trip

April 24 – 30, 2011

Before going to Opatija, I added more maps to my blog.  There are now 2 sources of Maps of Croatia available from my Blog:  the Map Page on this Blog and the Maps of Croatia photo album at https://picasaweb.google.com/100390625521976559356/MapsOfCroatia?authkey=Gv1sRgCMKy69HMr_bjvQE#

This photo album has relief maps, land use, economic activity and natural resources, population density, and a map of Croatia's location in central Europe.

 

I had these maps on the Map page but couldn't get them to enlarge and it was impossible to see the details on the maps.  So now they're in my photo album and the details on the maps can actually be seen!  

But, the maps on the Map page can be enlarged by clicking on them.  

 Confused…then I’ve accomplished my mission!

Now, on to Opatija!  Steve has a few seminars to give and I get to take some photos of him in action before heading out on my own to see what is called the Austrian Riviera because Opatija was a favorite holiday destination for 19th century Austrians and still is today.  I’ve got the best “job” ever!

The statue, Girl With A Seagull, by sculptor Zvonko Car represents Opatija to the world and has been standing since 1956 on a rock above the sea.  

On the way to Opatija we decided to drive over the mountain instead of going through the tunnel.  What fabulous views!  But not for those who are afraid of heights…

Opatija is full of Austrian style villas.  The architecture is stunning.  Unfortunately, not all villas have been maintained and it’s sad to see such once beautiful structures fall into ruin.  Even some of the hotels for the rich and famous haven’t survived the ravages of time.  But, the Adriatric Sea is also stunning here!  The Austrians built a 12 Kilometer long Promenade along the coast that is still in use today.  I was able to walk about half of it when Steve was working and it was thoroughly enjoyable.  I loved the sound of the sea as it hit the rocks and the shore, and looking at all the fancy yachts and fishing boats and water taxis. 

Click on the video link below to hear the Adriatic Sea along the Promenade in Opatija, Croatia.

The thermal water sources, fresh sea breezes and mild climate made Opatija a popular tourist destination in the 19^th century when travel was seen as a health-improving activity which took people away from smoky cities and provided them with a dose of fresh sea air.  Many of the hotels still have spa treatments available today.

We stayed at a modern hotel our first night in Opatija and it was very nice.  Our second night we stayed at the historic Hotel Imperial.  When this hotel was built in 1885, only Royalty could stay here.  Carved wooden ceilings and crystal chandeliers still adorn the ballroom, dining room, salons and lounges.  The rooms have very high ceilings and the draperies and furniture are reminiscent of the 19^th century.   Most surprising of all, it had a better shower than the newer hotel!  

The story of our return trip to Pula is on “A Little Humor” Page.  Yes, we had another one of “those” road trips!!!

Check out my photos of Opatija at https://picasaweb.google.com/100390625521976559356/Opatija#

Sunday Afternoon Walk

Easter Sunday Afternoon we went for a walk and found the Archeological Museum in Pula was open.  So, we went in for a look.  Click on the link below to see the photos.

https://picasaweb.google.com/100390625521976559356/ArcheologicalMuseumInPula#

 Here's a collage of photos taken at the Museum.  And I just remembered I have more photos of things outside the Museum...they're in the Walking Around Pula, Part 2 photo album.

Easter Sunday

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

Easter April 24, 2011

Sometimes there’s nothing like an old hymn to help me realize all over again how wonderful is God’s plan for us.  One of the best hymns that celebrates Jesus Christ’s victory over sin and death and God’s redemptive plan for all of us is Christ the Lord Is Risen Today, written by Charles Wesley, 1707-1788.

Click on the link below to hear the hymn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzy7jFNUc3w

Up From the Grave He Arose is another of my favorite Easter hymns.  For a reggae version of this hymn, check out this video from youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI504-YxvDo

This version has puppets and rock-n-roll .  Something for everyone! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uK47WSzt0U

In the US, in addition to the special Easter music and the special church services, kids and adults also enjoy colored eggs and candy; lots of candy.  Chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and marshmallow chicks of all colors.  My favorites are dark chocolate and spicy jelly beans and just one of those little marshmallow chicks would make my Easter basket complete.

When I was a little girl, all the women and girls got new outfits for Easter Sunday.  And I’m not just talking a dress.  This was an entire outfit:  a new dress, new hat, new shoes and new gloves were purchased just for Easter.  To get so many fancy new cloths all at once was a VERY big deal! 

How times have changed…now everyone just buys whatever they want whenever they want…no more special outfits for Easter.  Never thought I’d miss that…my mother and I had different ideas about what to wear back then!

It’s Official. Spring is here and so are the tourists!

Week of April 17 - 23^rd, 2011

A beautiful week full of sunshine and warm spring temperatures!

Steve was busy this week preparing for several seminars he’ll be giving soon and I spent lots of time walking around Pula and taking more photos and listening to lots of German and Italian. 

Link for photos https://picasaweb.google.com/100390625521976559356/WalkingAroundPulaPart2#


I’m hoping all this walking and our Mediterranean type diet means I’m not gaining any weight over here.  The veggies and fruits all taste so good here.  They seem fresher than what is available back home.  And the scallions look like they’re on steroids here!  There are some different salad greens here that all taste good and add a nice variety to our salads.  We can get all the fruits and veggies we’re used to and more at the Green Market in the City Center so we’re very happy with the food over here.  Even the meat and poultry tastes better.  And the egg shells are much harder to crack!  And the fish…fresh off the boats every morning!  Everything is delicious!  And a little expensive too.

In Pula I’ve noticed many more women wearing dresses or skirts instead of slacks or jeans like in the US.  Lots of dark stockings and dark colors for their clothes and even some fish-net stockings too!  Wonder if that will change after Easter this Sunday?

People also dress up for church here.  No slacks for the women in church.  In Oklahoma, jeans are acceptable to wear to church for both men and women!

The other thing I’ve noticed is the fanny pack.  It’s still popular here but is usually found on the front of the person, not the fanny.  Lots of man-purses too.  But don’t expect to see Steve with one!

Unrelated to my walking around observations:  The USA has 6 times zones, counting the time zones in Alaska and Hawaii.  It’s still hard for me to realize here in Croatia I’m living in the same time zone as so many other countries:  the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Serbia, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Liechtenstein, Spain, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belgium, Denmark, Albania, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, and San Marino.  Even more surprising to me is that several counties on the African continent are also in the same time zone:  Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Zambia.  Thanks to the Internet for helping me compile this list – I only knew some of the European countries and a few of the African countries too.

I don't know why some of the countries are in bold and others aren't.  In the text I copied and pasted, none are in bold type.

Good Friday

April 22, 2011:  Good Friday.  

I love Spring, I love Easter, I love Jesus. And I love old hymns and newer songs too.  One of my favorites for Good Friday is Ten Thousand Angels by Ray Overholt. 

The chorus says it all:

He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.

Click on the link below to hear the entire song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbw4aoILXxI

On a not-so-serious note:  In the US, in addition to the special Easter music and the special church services, kids and adults also enjoy colored eggs and candy; lots of candy.  Chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and marshmallow chicks of all colors.  My favorites are dark chocolate and spicy jelly beans and just one of those little marshmallow chicks would make my Easter basket complete.

When I was a little girl, all the women and girls got new outfits for Easter Sunday.  And I’m not just talking a dress.  This was an entire outfit:  a new dress, new hat, new shoes and new gloves were purchased just for Easter.  To get so many fancy new items of clothing at once was a big deal!  

How times have changed…now everyone just buys whatever they want whenever they want…no more special outfits for Easter.  Never thought I’d miss that…my mother and I had different ideas about what to wear back then!

Week of April 10 – 16th, 2011

This week has gone by so fast and yet I wasn’t busy at all.  I’ve been trying to read Beowulf (from my free e-books library); only about half way through it and it’s less than 200 pages.  Guess I’m no more mature now than I was when I had to read it in college!  It’s still a chore to get through this one!  And no one to help me understand it…

Well, it did get me back into the Bible Studies I brought with me.  So, that’s a good thing.  I’m determined to use all the things we brought with us and to wear every item of clothing we brought.  So far, not hard to wear the clothes because after we packed our suitcases we had to unpack and repack them and leave some things behind, including clothes.  Sure am getting tired of these clothes -- can’t wait till it gets a little warmer so I can wear different clothes.

Spring here is like the spring I had where I grew up.  It’s a real season – it lasts more than just a few weeks.  In Oklahoma, spring doesn’t last very long; it’s already in the 70’s and 80’s there.  It gets hot and stays hot beginning in April and lasting through October.  So, I’m enjoying the spring weather here, just wish I had more Spring clothes with me!  

So, why not just buy some clothes?  In Pula, everything is very expensive.  The hair stylist that cut my hair explained it very well:  EU prices but Balkan wages.  I know I’ll buy something eventually but figure I’ll wait awhile to start buying things.  Still 3 months ahead of us here in Pula and only 1 ½ months behind us!  And have to be able to fit everything in the suitcases when it’s time to return to Oklahoma!

Next week, we’re going to Opatija for a few days and I want to see what the prices of clothes are there.  Then I’ll know if I need to buy things when we’re in Pula or away from Pula. 

Time Is On My Side, or, Living for the Weekend.

Apt. living has its perks.  Very little housework and no yard work gives me lots of time to . . . walk around town to the historical sites, read, sit at a sidewalk cafe and enjoy a cup of coffee, check out the local beaches…

Before leaving home I downloaded 20 free ebooks from the Coradella Collegiate Bookshelf.  So far, I’ve read Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, Crime and Punishment (very depressing), The Great Gatsby, Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy (very depressing), and 3 John Grisham novels that were left at the apt.  Yikes, I think I may run out of my free ebooks before we leave in July.

Did I mention the only TV station in English is CNN International?  Even after 6 weeks, I still pick up the remote to change the channel only to remember it’s no use trying that!  Someone told me it only takes 3 weeks to change a habit or make a new one – don’t believe it!!!  There are several radio stations on the TV that play music in English so at least we have that.  And we can watch some American TV shows on the internet, and get news from the US that way too.

The description of Porer Lighthouse found below was copied from the internet.  We don’t have a boat so couldn’t get this close to it!  You can actually rent an apt. in the lighthouse and stay there!  Many lighthouses in Croatia have rental units in them.

Porer lighthouse was built in 1833 on the islet of the same name, southwest of Istria's southernmost cape. The islet is an 80 m cliff, 2.5 km from the mainland and the small town of Premantura. The 35 m lighthouse tower overlooks the rest of the stone building. The islet itself has three smaller berths. We recommend swimming at docking places. Currents around the islet are very strong all day long, therefore, we recommend that you do not swim over 50 m from the islet's shores even if you are an excellent swimmer. The lighthouse keeper will gladly tell you where the best swimming places are at different times of the day. Due to very strong winds during the day, we recommend windsurfing only to very experienced surfers.

Enjoy the photos of some of the local “beaches” and the lighthouse. 

I hear summer calling me…

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/myphotos