Brac, Croatia

Arriving on the island of Brac was a disaster.

I went to the little town of Bol. I arrived after 5pm.

I had been emailing a travel agent that the owner of my hostel in Split had recommended. They said "Yes, we have a place for you! Just send your credit card information."

I didn't see photos or anything, so I asked for some more information. They never emailed me back.

By the time I arrived on the island, my travel agency had closed, it was getting dark, and I had no place to stay and little cash.

I cried and then I walked. I walked until I found a man, Boris, sitting in an office. I explained my situation to him and he said "I have a room, you can stay here!"

Too bad I didn't have enough money.

This is when things started to turn around.

He gave me the room at a super cheap price. Then he took me to my room. The room was so beautiful. The first thing Boris told me about it?

"It's safe to drink from the tap."

A man after my own heart.

Tap water for life!

I settled in.

Then Boris came up to my room. He gave me a map, access to his work computer (so I could email Mom!), the time of the ferry and bus I would need to take back to Split the following day, and a restaurant recommendation. He said "Ask for ___, she is the owner. They take Visa and she will show you to a cash machine."

After a LOVELY pasta dinner, I found some cash and made my way to my room.

I stopped at a convenience store along the way. Here was my loot:

Cider and chocolate, yum!

I went outside onto my little balcony and just watched the sky. It was so clear. So peaceful. It has been way too long since I've stargazed.

The next morning I woke up to see the sunrise and get in an early swim at Zlatni Rat, a famous Croatian beach.

How often do you get a world famous beach all to yourself?

I wanted to take advantage of it, but it was forbidden ;)

After a quick 7 AM swim in the Adriatic on November 1st, I packed up and went back to shower and prepare for the trek back to Split- my last night in Croatia.

As soon as I arrived on Brac, I felt at home. I was stressed, but it was stunning. I would never hesitate to recommend it to anyone. The island was amazing and I wish I had been able to spend more time there. The scenery was breathtaking, but the people were even kinder.

The islands truly are the heart of the Adriatic Coast.

They also have cute cats:

Bol on Dwellable

Zadar, Croatia

By the time Tuesday came, I had begun to feel like a Split veteran. I wasn't looking forward to my trip to Zadar.

I arrived lost and lonely after a four hour bus ride.

I was stressed.

When I finally made it to the hostel, I felt like I was in a fun house:

I decided that the only way to remedy my sadness was to go for a little jaunt.

That changed everything.

Zadar old town was beautiful.

My hostel was right in the middle of the action- the very centre of the old town. I could see the sea from my hostel bed. Yup. Heaven.

I headed up to the North Western point of the island to experience the number one reason that I chose Zadar: the Sea Organ.

I had read about the Sea Organ when researching my trip, but no article prepared me for the magic.

I don't even know that I could ever describe it to you adequately.

It was peaceful, calming, magical, exciting, relaxing, and just so magnetic.

I often just spent my free time there. I LOVED the Sea Organ. It was easily the best part of my trip.

I will upload a video to Facebook so you can be so jealous!

Zadar was awesome. I made a new friend, Tracey, from Yukon. I went to a glass museum, markets, visited churches, saw the 'Silver and Gold of Zadar', walked around without any hesitation at night, read a book about sex trafficking (not recommended when travelling solo!), sat on many a wharf, walked through parks, ate ice cream, and started to see myself as a travelling gypsy.
Zadar was even better than Split. Be sure to go. And don't miss the sea organ. Go at sunset and then again late at night. Take a book or a journal and just be your own best friend.

Zadar on Dwellable