Well goodbye Porec. Hello Pula.
We had a choice of buses this morning to carry us on our merry way south. Last night we had decided on a mid morning bus to avoid any unnecessary early wake up calls. As it was we were awake st seven so we decided to get to the bus station and grab the nine o-clock bus. It would mean we get more time in Pula and there is a lot to see.
Caught the bus withour a hitch and set off ever southwards.
Its only an hour and a half journey to Pula so it was no hardship and our apartment is only a stones throw from the Roman amphitheatre so it wasn't hard to find. If theres one thing that stands out in a city its a roman ampitheatre.
The accomodation is outstanding. We are in a cellar room with direct access onto a beautiful outdoor terrace. Its all very posh and Crispy is in her element. We are looking forward to quiet glass of Vino after tea in our own little sanctuary.
All of the accomodation has worked out very well and there have been no disappointments. Even our stay in Stallag 13 had its plus points. Well just the location really as the room was poor but it did what we needed it to do.
We are now in Pula. A popular tourist destination for Brits and Germans alike.
It is an ancient place and was once the Roman city of Pola. It comes complete with forum, temples and of course the ampitheatre. I know how much Crispy loves "rubble" so this is going to be a real treat for her.
Today we didn't really get chance to see the city as Crispy wanted a beach and I really fancied a swim in the Adriatic. So shortly after arriving and dropping off the backpacks We caught bus 2a from the city centre to the beaches. Approximately twenty minutes away. There are no real beaches in the city itself as its a huge harbour so to get to one requires a short trip on the public transport. Once at the beaches we had a lovely time sitting in the sun and swimming in the crystal blue sea. A quick beer in a beach bar and back on bus 2a for a quick trip back to the city.The intention was dinner and then relax in the sanctuary of our terrace.
It turned out it wasnt quick and it definately wasn't to the city. Now in most places if you catch a particular bus it goes a particular route. If you get on at a particular stop on that route you expect to be able to get off again at said stop on the return journey. Take for example the 575 to Wigan. You know where you are with the 575 to Wigan and it never holds any surprises or dissappionts. Its a bus that does what most buses do and it does it well. In Pula its a lottery. When we boarded the 2a from the beach I asked the driver for two one way tickets to Pula. He looked at me blankly. "The ampitheatre" I said. Still no light of recognition flickered in his eyes. "The Roman theatre, gladiator, Russel Crowe," I continued. Nothing. I tried a different tack." City centre, zentum, marina, harbour". Again nothing. I had noticed that the street that we had got on the bus in the city began with K but was followed by 36 other letters constucting a word that was completely unpronounceable. I quickly scanned the map of the bus route above his head and could find only one stop starting with a K. I attempted it " kitzobgranbanggranola ....... street". A light came on.
"Ahhhhh" he said with a cheery laugh " Chitzninahgranu"... " Yes, yes. That" I said. I was pleased with myself at my internation communication skills. How wrong I was.
The bus set off and immediately turned away from the city. Crispy and I looked at each other confused. Then the bus headed off up several streets and major roads in the opposite direction to where we should be going. It drove for ages into the middle of no where before stopping and the driver leaned out of his seat and said to us with a beaming smile "Chitzninahgranu". "No, this isnt it" I corrected him. He shrugged his shoulders and set off once more to god knows where. Crispy and I looked at each other again. We assumed, wrongly, that if we sat tight the bus would eventually pass something we recognised and we would be able to make our escape on foot. Nothing. Eventually the bus stopped at a shopping centre miles out of the city. The driver again leaned out of his seat and said in a friendly tone "Finished. Next bus 15 minutes". As we were now the only ones on the bus we knew he was talking to us. We got off the bus lost and confused. I tried once again to read the bus timetable fastened to the bus shelter but it was useless. After 15 minutes another bus arrived, this time the 23a. We got on. It was the same driver. He put his head in his hands dismayed and ushered us down the bus. 30 minutes later we were back at the beach where we had started our journey over an hour and a half ago..
He set off again and within 15 minutes we were at the ampitheatre. The doors hadn't finished opening before Crispy was off the bus and me right behind her. We have travelled through 3 countries on every kind of transport without a hitch but the local buses in Pula had us beat.
Out for Dinner and back to the apartment. Our dreams of a quiet night in bigger ruins than the Roman theatre at the end of our garden.
Tomorrow we plan a morning exploring the sights and rubble that the city has to offer. Tomorrow afternoon may be another bus ride to a national park for a spot of cycling and beach time. It depends if we can face the local buses again....
Bare and Crispy signing off Pula, Croatia
No comments:
Post a Comment