The Island

Up and sorted by 8am. Backpacks packed and out onto the streets headed once more for the international bus station. Even from here which is relatively small town you can catch a bus for Rome, Frankfurt even Belgrade. Its alien for us as an Island nation to even consider international travel without weeks of planning. Sorting out boats or planes to get us across our greatest historical defence. The sea.
Once on the continent its so easy. Historically that has also been a big problem as armies can move as easy as backpackers and maybe that's why the many small countries here have been constantly "falling out".
Saying that we have been "falling out" with France for a thousand years despite the channel.  We can easily justify this because its France and therefore full of the French and nobody likes the French.

We caught the bus with no problem and were on our way to Rejeka.
This is not a tourist destination but a large working port and large city. I wasn't sure of our connection to Krk from here but was sure there would be no problem. There wasn't.  The connecting bus for the Island was just preparing to depart as we arrived. A quick detour into the ticket office and we were on board and on our way. The long distance buses are all operated by private companies whereas the local buses are run by each individual council. The long distance buses require a ticket from the local office and local buses you can pay on the bus itself. Its a fixed price on local buses regardless of the number of stops you are travelling. in Croatia it seems to be £1 a journey. In Vienna it was mad. It equated to £3 a journey either bus or tram and was not transferable between routes so a journey of a mile may cost upto £12. 

A bus to an island? I sense you wondering. Well its simple there is a road bridge from the mainland.  When we set off from Pula it was unbroken blue sky but as we travelled south the skies darkened and the wind picked up.
The winds were so strong across the sea bridge that all caravans, motorhomes and motorcycles were stopped from crossing. The police had cordoned dozens of them in special parking areas. They must have been there a while because some had set up camp.

Across the bridge and off across the island of krk to its capital which is imaginatively called Krk. I chose this location as its close to a small airport and I was really struggling to find a reasonable route overland by road to our next destination of Split. Road journeys, there are no trains or ferries, take in excess of 12 hours so flying was the only option. Its not an international airport. Its more like a an aerodrome but the plane is only 12 seats and takes less than an hour so perfect for our needs.

We arrived in Krk town and the skies cleared to greet us. The wind has dropped as well. Our accomodation is a ten minute walk from the old walled town and is perfect. Double room, balcony and sea view. One really nice thing about the apartments here is the little niceties they afford. On arrival at every one we have been warmly welcomed and given either beer or wine which is sorely needed after travelling. The people are so friendly and accomodating everywhere we have been.

Krk is small but the purpose of this part of the trip is to kick back and relax. I am sure that we will find some kind of adventuring to do while we are here so Crispy doesn't get bored. I've got sea kayaking in mind but Crispy doesn't know it yet. She's going to be thrilled.

Bare and Crispy signing off, Krk. An island in Croatia