Monday, May 30th ~ Pula & Brijuni, Croatia

Morgan


The word of the day: Full. Today was jammed packed with culture, breathtaking sights, food and knowledge. With an early start, we found ourselves wandering the streets of Pula; a stunning port city with a vantage point of the Istrian peninsula. The first stop on our tour, guided by Mrs. Ljerka Mikic and Aleksandra Paic, was the magnificent Pula Coliseum, which is pictured above. As the sixth largest Roman coliseum in Europe, Pula’s gem boasts some of the best conservation efforts that we have seen. With a long history as a gladiator arena, a cattle corral, and now a concert hall (with the likes of Sting, Nora Jones, and U2 performing there), the coliseum provided ample opportunity to reflect on life through the centuries in a town such as Pula.

Our lecture today discussed the evolution of culture in this region, and we were able to witness aspects of this first hand. Focusing on sanitation, infectious diseases and public health in general, our lesson chronicled the progression of standards and regulations throughout time. Toilets progressed from publicly used holes in the middle of Roman towns, to bedpans and outhouses, and finally our modern day toilets.

After brief free time in beautiful Pula we set out to catch a boat to the pristine archipelago of the Brijuni islands. As you can see in the photo, the water was stunning! Made famous by its political inhabitant, former Yugoslavian president, Josip Tito, the isles of Brijuni provide endless aesthetic pleasure against a crystal blue Adriatic background. The main island, which we toured by “train” (think Walt Disney World tram), boasts many attractions including several hotels and resorts, a golf course and an exotic animal ranch, which is home to a herd of zebras, ostriches, Shetland ponies, an elephant, and the spunky goat pictured above!

On the heels of a fantastic lunch, a brief rest on the dock, and a boat ride back to the mainland, we stopped at an olive farm in Vodnjan. Educated by the owners and operators of the difference between table and oil fruits, the harvest time (10 years!) and the olive oil business in general, it was an informative excursion that allowed us to appreciate the importance of a longstanding Croatian livelihood.

We wrapped up the day with an extended dinner at a cheese-making farm in Guran, where we were spoiled by another five-course meal! Feeling stuffed and satisfied with all that we have to take in, I will say good night. We head to the coast tomorrow and from what I have witnessed thus far, we will not be disappointed. Makarska, here we come!