Backpack Storybook

Split, Croatia - I don't know what I was expecting of Croatia before we arrived. In fact, aside from swimming and drinking cheap beer, I actually hadn't given it much thought.

Spending most of the daylight hours on the top deck as the Penelopa chugged along gave me an unhurried look at the Dalmatian landscape. I was surprised at how rocky and mountainous the coastline between was Split and Dubrovnik.

Small towns and their accompanying olive groves and vineyards had squeezed themselves into the narrow, habitable space between the rocky shoreline and the steep, treeless mountains towering above.

Islands such as Hvar and Korcula were slightly flatter and featured acres of pine forest.

The port towns we stopped at each night were amazing. I always felt a little rushed that there was only an evening or perhaps half a morning to explore. I'd try and be among the first off the boat, Nikon around my neck, racing off to frame the narrow alleyways or capture the afternoon light falling on the moored fishing boats and the sandstone buildings.

The Old Towns of Dubrovnik and Korcula were absolute wonders to walk through. I could have spent days or weeks shooting among the streets, markets and town squares. Dubrovnik in particular was a highlight. Once inside the walls that guarded the city we explored its harbour, markets, narrow alleys, central square and even got up on the 2km long wall for a birds eye view of the town.

With the memory card almost full and the sun setting, Jacq, Chris and I strode off to a bar perched among the cliffs between the sea and the city wall.

Half of the Penelopa had the same idea. We grabbed a drink, a seat and watched the sky turn from pink to orange and then fade to dark blue...

And then we all went out into the town and ate and drank and burned up the dancefloor until 4am.

Labels: Croatia