Storm clouds gone and a clear day, about 22 C. Today we spend the majority of the time riding along the coast. Because the sky was clear, the sea looked a rich blue. Rocky hills with a scrubby covering were on our right as we headed north. Beautiful smooth, bendy road. Quick speeds. The mountain range to the east facilitated fierce winds. So fierce that they burn any vegetation off the east facing terrain of the islands that run parallel to the shore. The terrain is absolutely barren. Quite a sight. This sight continued for about 80 kms. We stopped for coffee close to 11.30 and marvelled at the road and the terrain.
We eventually reached the far north coast of Croatia and had lunch in another off-main-road cove. Quite a popular spot with a healthy number of beachgoers. We also passed through an area that must be the Bellagio of Croatia. Many elaborate villas, although their glory was becoming a little faded.
To our HUGE hotel in Rovinj on the west coast of the Istrian Peninsula. To our surprise this peninsula was lush and fertile, growing a variety of crops and many grapevines. Such a contrast to what we had seen all morning.
In the evening we walked to the town centre for dinner. The main harbour is a U shape with a pedestrian boulevarde around the edge. This town is a major holiday destination with the usual inundation of restaurants bordering the streets. Our host for the evening was obviously trying to impress Anze, as this was the first time that the company had used this facility. He was enthusiastically exuberant, mentioning that he had relatives in both Oz and the U.S. The food was beautifully fresh and he deserved our tips.
The mountains that contribute to the barren islands.
Smooth riding with the barren islands off-shore.
Coffee stop.
Lunch stop.
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The people on the bridge wearing helmets look like robots. Lunch stop looks more salubrious than coffee stop.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of parts of Turkey.
ReplyDelete