Old Town Zadar

 

It was our last port of the cruise and we were ready for a relaxing day with no commitments.  We took the bus provided by the cruise line to Old Town Zadar in Croatia.  Yes, we could have ubered there for less money, but we appreciated the ease of taking the ships transport.  Plus at this point we had spent all our Euros and needed an ATM machine.  The bus transfer would be charged to our room.  We walked the town with another couple we met traveling in our group.  The bus dropped us off at the Greeting to the Sun  though it was daytime so it was not glowing with light.  As we walked along the coast, we could hear the Sea Organ created by Nikola Basic - the same artist who create "Greeting to the Sun".  As the waves roll in and out it creates a beautiful, almost whale like moan, that changes with the power of the water.  Click Here to listen to the Sea Organ.

I discovered a free walking tour online from Jetting Setting Fools so we followed it and gave ourselves and our new friends a private tour of the area.  I always love when I discover a hidden gem of information that allows me to save money and have some autonomy when I  am a tourist. I was still amazed how the ancient ruins would almost rise up in the middle of a thriving and busy city.  I saw ancient columns laying down in the yards of apartments.  I kept thinking "Wow that is so cool, but I bet the inhabitants of the apartments buildings are thinking. "Ugh, I have to weed eat around that column again."" Surreal.

The Greeting to the Sun

Sitting Seaside

Dipping our toes in the Adriatic Sea

Pillar located behind an apartment building

The Pillar of Shame

Bruce on the Pillar of Shame

St. James Cathedral / Katedrala sv. Jakov – Šibenik

                                                             

No pizza, opted for a greek salad

Glass covers the street so you can peer into ancient ruins

A walk through a garden

A tourist submarine

Steps/Mile Walked= 12450 steps / 4.5 miles

Glasses of Wine = 2

Cocktails Experienced = Lavender Daiquiri

Gelato Enjoyed = 1

Pizza Partaken = 0 (greek salad instead)

Photos Taken = 118

Souvenir = photos

Firsts = standing in the Adriatic Sea, lighting a prayer candle in a ancient church

Reflection:   We really enjoyed our seaside stroll around old Zadar.  At this point in the trip, though still fascinated with the history of the old basilicas and churches, was getting a little "churched - out".  All the architecture and history was becoming too much to absorb.  On my next trip to Croatia, I would like to travel to Plitvice Lakes National Park to see the waterfalls.  We had thought about going to the park on our visit, but I was a bit nervous about the distance.