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