Strolling Around Sibenik, Croatia

Sibenik is a city most of you have probably never heard of and that’s cool as we were in the same boat. It’s actually the oldest native Croatian city on the eastern Adriatic Coast which is rare as most are Roman, German or Illyrians. The place used to be this industrial city before it recently has been realized that it’s a sweet stop for tourists and it is playing up to that.

The city is old and the small walkways wind around the stone buildings with no rhyme or reason; the place sorta kinda reminded me of Stone Town in Zanzibar in that regard.I wasn’t there long as I was on a busy schedule but I did get a taste and I liked what I tasted. That said, I think this place is more of an appetizer than a main so instead of an afternoon, I think a night or so would be perfect.

It has a UNESCO World Heritage Site for those of you with thick glasses, poor posture and stamp collections; it’s called Cathedral of St. James. It’s nice and the most impressive are all these heads around on the outside; 70 of them carved from stone and all unique and none look at each other. If you’re doing a road trip and driving between Zadar and Split, you’ll pass it and I suggest you do stop.

That said, I think the best way to play it is to leave Split or Zadar in the morning and drive straight to Krka National Park where they have the widest waterfalls in Europe. Spend as much time as you wish there then retire to Sibenik which is 18km away and explore the town at dusk or early the next morning; it gets hot, hot, hot during the day. I’d recommend a restaurant but I think you should follow your nose like Toucan Sam and find whatever it is you were meant to, yes?

I wrote about it on SHABL – further detail with loads of pictures here.

It has been pouring all day here in Gruz Harbour, Dubrovnik and I’m cool with that. I don’t have a car anymore so I have no option to do late night drives and as a result, It’s time for a sunset stroll along the seawall to see what’s occurring. I’ve said it before and I’ll definitely say it again and again; no place like Europe in the summer.

Big thanks to Croatia Tourism for inviting me to visit; appreciated..

Greetings,

I’m alive and well and above is a video of what it was like watching a World Cup game in Zagreb, Croatia. The game was Croatia vs Cameroon and Croatia killed it. I’m writing this from Gruz Harbour in Dubrovnik where I’m basing myself for a few days before heading south to Budva, Montenegro.

I had a great time flying through Croatia on this press trip and I’ll be back at some point to dig deeper. I’m thinking the Balkans only make sense for SHABL to base itself in the summer but first, I need to see the rest of them so I can make an educated decision; yes?

Hopefully this video gives you an idea of what it was like to be there.

Big thanks to Croatia Tourism for their hospitality; appreciated.

If you ever get the chance to watch a World Cup game in the capital of one of the teams playing, just do it. Myself and a small crew rolled down into the center square of Zagreb to watch the match and they blew out their opponent 4-0… To say the place was electric would be an understatement.

I was in Europe during the last World Cup; was in Madrid when Spain lost and Berlin when Germany got eliminated; cool experiences but nothing like being there for an important blowout. I’d go on but I’m off to do some hiking and rock climbing. Oh yeah, left Zagreb yesterday and now I’m in some hotel on the Adriatic Sea about 20 minutes outside of Zadar.

More on Zadar later, stunning spot.

FYI – I’m here as a guest of Croatia Tourism but obviously all thoughts are mine.

I think I’ll be in Dubrovnik for the next game; looking forward to it!

I’m in Zagreb after a long series of flights and a few ear problems; no big deal. So we explored the city and hit up a tie shop; did you know that the neck tie was invented in Croatia? Now you do… This photo is of a tie with gold laminate wrapped around silk thread for $625; indeed. I also learnt how to tie a few knots including the Windsor.

Afterwards we hit up some restaurant where I resisted being a glutton with the cheese and devoured some sea bass before hitting up the Museum of Broken Relationships; could relate as well, I’m single at nearly 34 by choice so definitely a few casualties along the way. Hard to make a magnificent omelet without breaking a few eggs, yes?

Just made a big post on my evening in Zagreb, click here for it.

FYI – I’m here as a guest of Croatia Tourism but obviously all thoughts are mine.

I’d go on but it’s late and I’ve been in transit longer than I wish to count.

In closing, feels fantastic being back in Europe for the summer; no better spot this time of year IMO. Also, in all of Europe, it’s hard to beat the Balkans although some would consider Croatia part of Central Europe but that is neither here nor there…

I’m flying back to Miami on November 27th; indeed.

First off, Uncle Buccs was right when he asked why I’d load up in Managua before Miami. I strolled through the crowded streets of the Oriental Market and his comment came to mind. I bought some socks, got a risky hair-cut from a stranger and bounced. I have a curse, that curse is that whenever things are about to go nuts, I get sick. It’s like I’m fine for months on end when there isn’t something big happening but when a party is about to start; you can count on seeing “Dubz” limping in.

Miami is great for shopping. If you stay in South Beach, hit up 5th Street and just walk away from the Beaches. Right before this bridge you’ll hit a shopping center with all sorts of stuff you need. Suffice to say I’m loaded up with some new clothes and electronics including another iPhone 5s and the Go Pro Hero 3+ Black Edition. I don’t think I need a new GoPro but once you get to Europe everything gets silly expensive. Supposedly the black is best in low-light / only model with a remote control and for an extra $100; why not?!

I’ve also loaded up on new luggage. There really isn’t anything that beats Samsonite; they have a business traveler backpack to carry your laptop and electronics which is spot on and only cost $49.99 at the airport. I also have a big Samsonite duffle bag on rollers which is great. When buying luggage / backpacks for your electronics I strongly suggest you go for all black everything. Luggage is like life, it’s only those with nothing who want attention and to be perceived as if they have something, yes?

If you’re in Miami for a layover, hit up South Beach Group like I always do. Lots of accommodation options to choose from and really reasonable prices. I say this because there is a free shuttle to and from the airport. So basically you just show up, catch a shuttle that comes every hour and jet straight to to South Beach. When it’s time to go, you catch another shuttle; it couldn’t easier and it makes my whole commute between Europe and Central America stress free.

I’ve written about South Beach before but each time I come I like it more. I’d never want to live here as well, it’s in the USA but for a day or so here and there it’s tough to beat. It’s also great for people watching which is most certainly a hobby of mine. I will note that there are lots of characters who look “slightly dodgy” and I can see how things could escalate around here in a hurry. Told my friend “Seems like lots of interesting people and half of them look like the type that could knock your block off.”

In case you missed it, this is the Oriental Market in Managua, Nicaragua.

I’d go on but I’m off to meet an associate for breakfast.

For more info on why I’m going to Croatia, read here.

Have a great week.

I’m out of here tomorrow and finally caught up, sorta. I did end up scrambling for the second permit on my smaller property and it’s in my hand now; indeed. Here are some shots from my time here; didn’t take many as I lost my new phone and have been using an old one which is half dead.

Yes, that is a dolphin swimming in front of the boat at sunset yesterday; a whole school / pod / whatever came and partied in the wake for a while. First time seeing them here! I’m off for a swim, some seafood and a siesta.

Oh yeah, I always talk about Little Corn Island but don’t discount Big Corn Island.

Pardon my absence of late; I’ve had another issue or so with my electronics and I’m only now getting my system back. This weekend like many others while here on the Corn Islands, I enjoyed some island league baseball. I used to play baseball and was often found as a catcher, third base or right field; that said my home was most certainly right field aka the field of dreams where you’re on cloud nine until a ball comes your way; you drop it and overthrow second base.

There are three teams on Little Corn Island and I’m a fan of the Sliders who just happen to be crushing it of late. There is a stadium and the cost of admission is roughly $0.40. Beers cost $1.60 and for $2 you can get some delicious pork or chicken vigoron. The number of spectators in the stands varies greatly but there are some regulars which I’m proud to be becoming one of.

It’s the type of place where at times reggae music blares and people drink rum and milk while blurting out random this and that to whoever is at bat. It’s solid times, the price is right and since the stadium is located at the very top of the hill on the island; always a cool breeze.

I’d go on but I’m in serious catch up mode right now.

P.S: This is also where I practice my pitching / chipping in the early AM.

I had the pleasure of spending at night at The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa while I was in Johannesburg and to say the place is class would be an understatement. It used to be an old stately home of some baller and now it has been turned into a 5 star hotel which hosts the likes of Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey when they’re in town.

There was a function going on while I was there so they asked us not to take photos of any common areas hence I just have this video I made from the room. It has a massive pool and a sweet spa. I decided to go to the steam room and ended up meeting this Canadian girl who went to a rival university; suffice to say I didn’t end up going into the steam room but instead just hung out in the hut tub.

Supposedly they have great food but when I got back to the room I found a bottle of champagne so I called the camera man on this trip and he was already deep into his; we called another gent who was on the trip and just hung out talking shop and drinking champagne. I had an early wake-up call the next morning at like 4am as we were all flying to Port Elizabeth; the breakfast was solid.

To say it’s a nice place wouldn’t do it justice; it had an incredible feel about the place as well as next level staff and service. The kind of place where you need to go through security to get into the premise and when you finally arrive at the front you’re met with fine automobiles such as the Bentley, Rolls Royce and a Ferrari for good measure. Considering it’s only like $450 a night it’s a steal compared to what you’d get in North America.

South Africa is beyond affordable if you can sit through the ~16-20 hour flight over. They also have unreal golf courses all over which I’m looking into investigating next time I’m there. I say next time as there is no doubt that I’ll be back in South Africa at some point; this was my second time and it’s one of those spots that’s on the list if you want to see the world. Johannesburg is cool but I think I’m more of a Cape Town kinda guy.

FYI – I was a guest of South Africa Tourism but obviously opinions are mine.

Was just on FB and a friend posted this video, figured I’d share it with you here as I never get up to much on the islands these days. This video really gives you an idea of what the Little Corn Island experience is all about; the creator did a sweet job. Also know the guy selling snorkeling tours; he just made the first ever Little Corn T-Shirt that says “Just Chillin” on it and they sold faster than the snorkel tour ever could.

While trying to embed this video I  found this one above which is cheesier but shows you lots more of the island. It was also taken a few years ago as now there is far more construction and recognize the kids. Everyone once in a while when things aren’t running smooth I think I’m losing my mind but seeing stuff like this reminds me I’ve found one of the coolest spots on the planet if “jus chillin” is what you’re after.

P.S: It’s becoming a real yoga retreat spot; totally okay with that.

I want to tell you about a small place which seriously, kinda sucks but changed my life forever. It’s called Las Penitas and it’s a small beach town / village / strip on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua not far from Leon. Leon is the old academic capital of Nicaragua, Granada is the commercial capital but enough of that for now.

Long story short, I met another wanderer with a website while living in Chiang Mai and we decided we’d go on a mission sometime. He is from Boston and I have family there; he found $149 one way tickets to Nicaragua; just my style. After a week or two of traveling I was like this is cool but I’m more of a Han Solo than a storm trooper so when he wanted to leave Las Penitas I said, I’m going to stay here…

I had been on the road a while and I was like “what am I doing with my life?” I had no niche or plan, just some guy writing garbage about his day… Also, this was after I had left home and right before I went home, while in Lake Ohrid, Macedonia (you want to go there) I made the biggest trading error of my life which decimated my already shrinking net worth; it was time for some serious change.

In this boring a$$ town I started running on the beach, quit smoking, decided to start writing about golf, fishing and finally got working on some web projects I had. The internet stunk but my resolve was stronger than ever. Then I met these two Spanish girls… They left a few days later and a new friend’s iPhone got stolen. We were sitting on a curb dejected and he said “We should have gone with those Spanish girls!” To that, I quipped “They never asked us…”.

I had no idea where I was going as I’m not a big planner when it comes to travel. I just show up places and wander around eating food and taking photos until I’m bored before going elsewhere. I was in Matagalpa talking to someone on skype and the connection was failing so I went out onto the the second floor patio for a better signal when I saw the girls walking down the streets. I yelled “Hola Chicas” and they came running over and invited me to the Corn Islands.

The rest is history to some extent but I’m telling you this because you never know where you’re going to find that inspiration which changes your life. Many want to go to some big mega destination but seriously, something good can happen anywhere and wherever you are there is meaning in it if you look for it. Las Pentitas, some random spot off the grid with a beach that could kill you changed my life.

That’s the beauty of travel, you’ll never know unless you go…