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Croatia - Split

 

After a few days in Dubrovnik (see separate blog) we headed to Split to meet friends for a milestone birthday celebration for me and Dawn.  

More Split photos here:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/vuHPKjfthPpcWhyH9

May 12:  We arrived at the house in Split after a frantic search for open grocery stores.  We were assigned to pick up booze for the first couple days so it was a critical task and we did not plan for most grocery stores to be closed on Sundays.  We found a small, gas station-sized grocery store that got the job done.  When we arrived at the house everyone was excited which I think is because we delivered booze. 😆🍷🍹

One of my fave photos from the trip with Dawn, Shannon, Anne (Miller Taylor Loft - AMTL for short) and me.  This is a terrace on the top floor of our rental house with nice ocean and sunset views.  We spent every morning there having breakfast and some evenings. Credit to my personal photographer Dawn for this picture.

The first floor is where the pool was and where we spent most of the rest of our time.

May 13:  Today was a chill day since many people had traveled a far distance (US) to get to Split.  In the evening the rental house host made us a meal of veal and fish. 

Keri and Shannon are excited about the fish bones, I guess? 😆


May 14:  Ryan, Gretchen, Shannon and I went on a hike to Forest Park Marjan.  There were in fact more inclines on this hike since we went to the peak for nice views.  This crew is pretty hard core when it comes to hiking so I definitely got my steps in for the day. 


In the evening we had planned to go to Bedalov Winery for a tasting. There was a challenge with securing a 2nd Uber to drive us so we had to cram 10 of us plus the driver into an Uber van.  Dawn captured the moment nicely with this selfie.

It seemed obvious that Ryan is the one that should be placed in the trunk.

Why is this so funny?!?! 


The wines were very good and the host explained everything in detail (but not too much detail!).

May 15:  Today the group "split" up and since I had been a little sick the day before I wasn't feeling motivated to do much.  Ryan and I walked on the beach, had lunch at a beach-side cafe and then to the pool.  Here is Ryan and Michael rocking out in the pool (it was as awkward as it looks).

In the evening several of us went to dinner on the beach.  


Here is us in our t-shirts celebrating our milestone birthdays - 50/50/60! (stealing this from Gretchen)


May 16:  We had scheduled a kayak tour but it was cancelled due to strong winds.  We pivoted and did a Split Food & History Tour.  I never regret doing a food tour!



May 17:   Last full day in Split!  We kept it chill with a walk on the beach and hanging at a beach-side cafe. I realize as I am writing this that we spent a lot of time at beach-side cafes!

May 18:  Since Ryan and I had a flight in the afternoon we were able to reschedule the kayaking just for us.  We realized this is the first time we have kayaked in an ocean.  It was still a little windy so it made for an interesting and wet ride but we also kayaked in a river and a bay which was much more calm. 


If given the opportunity Ryan will always opt to jump from high things into water.

May 19:  I included this day even though we were back from Croatia because it's my actual birthday.  Given I had spent the last 1.5 weeks celebrating I kept it low key.  I biked to Amsterdam Bos (Forest) and stopped to hike when I got there plus lunch at a secluded spot in the forest.  All of this while Ryan was taking Sam to a birthday party in Amstelveen (Amsterdam suburb) which was all the present I needed (I mean other than a 1.5 week vacation to Croatia)!  Also champagne and truffle pasta for dinner so that wrapped up the day nicely. 

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