Another Day in Paradise
Croatia Stage 2 – Mon 18th May 2015 – Neum (Bosnia) to Baćina Lakes, 3 Km north of Ploče (Croatia) (40 Km)
Today has been so near to perfect that I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming. Rolling along without a care in the world under clear blue skies, 25 degree temp, on smooth traffic free roads, alongside the beautiful Adriatic sea and through flat, fertile river flats growing citrus, olives, and figs, and past well-tended grape vines, and through charming villages by the sea … this is what a bike tourist dreams about. Pure joy!
Setting off at 8 am my plan was to stop at a café in Neum for some breakfast, but the only place I found was a caffe bar that sells thimble-size cups of coffee for 40 Kuna (about A$8) and no food at all. I think they saw me coming! Anyway that sustained me until I got out of Bosnia and Herzegovina (no problems at border security this time). I stopped at a lookout overlooking the spectacular coast and finished off my dried figs … a good balanced high fibre breakfast. Then a little further along the road I came across a fabulous roadside fruit stall, with the merchant plying me with lots of free samples. Good sales tactic that, with me ending up buying a bag of apricots, a couple of massive naval oranges and (naturally) two more bags of dried figs – even though my two panier bags were already full of clothes, electronic devices, cords, chargers, my little 10 inch Acer laptop, etc. The solution was to take my shoes out of the panniers and tie them to the pack rack with an occy strap.
Faced with the decision of going up the mountains again or following the main highway, I chose the latter because the traffic was not too heavy this morning and I trust the motorists in Croatia, who follow the adage “a metre matters” and give cyclists a wide clearance. It is called road courtesy and RESPECT. Are your hearing me Sydney? Anyway it was a good decision and meant that I arrived at beautiful Baćina Lakes before mid-day and fortunately I was allowed an early check-in so I was able to skype my dear Melveta before it was too late in the night in Sydney.
Now I am sitting on the balcony overlooking the beautiful lake, enjoying the serenity and listening to all the birds chirping. Did I mention paradise? I think this is as close as it gets.
