Split, Roman Palace on the Azure Adriatic.



We have been in Split for a few days now. I think we can honestly say that we love it here. We're still adjusting to the idea of long term travel. It's a little bit scary being freelance and travelling as well. But we're doing ok, we've had some good food as well. I would show you pictures but we ate them before we thought about it...

On a postcard

No sunburn yet, a few showers of rain, we're both well. Food has been good, lovely tomatoes in our pasta, some pancake and coffee today (gorgeous apricot jam) And yesterday had some Croatian food of a kind of kebab with a roasted red pepper and onion sauce in a flat bread and a hot chicken salad sandwich.

Diocletian's Palace

This place is great, it's a massive Roman Palace built for Diocletian's retirement in the year 305 AD. After Split fell to the Slavs it became a sort of Byzantine commune and has stayed sort of autonomous throughout the various other invasions (Venetians, French, Austria-Hungary, you name it they've been there) Now it is home to a variety of colorful artisan shops, restaurants and some accommodation along with the tourist site dotted around. For any keen Game of Thrones fans the crypt in the palace was used during the fourth season. We have wandered around here pretty much every day. It's best to go see later in the evening as then it is not so heaving with people. The architecture is all very interesting and as mentioned above there are some good places for street food.

Just outside of the Northern Gate (the Golden Gate) is a big statues of Gregory of Nin (Grgur Ninski). He was a bishop who basically did the same thing as Martin Luther but in Croatia. This was revolutionary in making Croatia a predominantly Catholic Country. In short he made sure that Church services were in Croatian rather than the non-spoken Latin. His statues in Split is made by local sculptor Ivan Mestrovic and it is said that good luck or a granted wish will come to those who rub his toe (which is consequently rather shiny and worn).



The Adriatic Sea

We've had a few days now where we're kind of enchanted by the sea. I don't mean in a sunbathing way (mind you I am beige now as oppose to chalky) But more that we've just really enjoyed meandering by the sea or just sitting and watching the clear blue waves. It's probably something to do with living in the middle of the country miles away from the sea.


Marjan


We climbed up here today, this is a lush green area to the west of Split's old town. It's a relatively steep hill (I say relatively because it was steep, but had nothing on that hill we lived on in Matlock). It was lovely to push ourselves a bit and we were rewarded with some fantastic views over Split and the surrounding Adriatic coast. If you ever think about coming to Split make sure you climb up the second part of the hill to the Croatian flag so as to get the best views.




Where Next?

Tomorrow (16th May) we go to Bosnia and Herzegovina to a place called Mostar. We should update the blog again after we have been there a few days, but in the meantime I do try and put a few photos on Instagram each day (a picture is worth a thousand words and all that). I hope that you are all well and we'll send you more travel related stuff soon

Olivia and Andrew

Links to other parts of the world

Location: 21000, Split, Croatia

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