Croatian islands

I have never seen something that beautiful in my whole life! This is the first time since college that I managed to animate that feeling of nonchalance and relaxation such as only young one can have. She didn’t share my opinion and feelings, but that’s another story.

Croatia is a small European country laying on the East coast of the Adriatic sea opposite to Italy. It has one of the most indented coast lines on the Earth; it is 5.835,3 kilometers long and 4.058 kilometers of that length are islands and cliffs. There are 1185 islands and cliffs in Croatian territorial sea. So, I was counting, if I spend just a day on each island or around it, I would need a three years and three months just to do that. And I want to see them all!

The thing is that those pretty fragments of land floating on their blue soft bed are so close, jet so different from each other. They all have green pine hats and salty rock slippers. They smell like haven and it gets You drunk along with their composure and innocence. Jet, they are all diverse. Three of eight Croatian national parks are placed on this sea pearls: Kornati, Brijuni and Mljet. Kornati is the ark of 89 islands scattered over 220 km2  with proximate 238 kilometers of shore length. Land takes only ¼ of Kornati area, the rest is sea ecosystem. Brijuni are archipelago also, consist of 14 islands amazing beauty on North Adriatic in Kvarner bay. Mljet is a single island; it is a place of oddity and contrasts. It has a unique system of salty lakes and untouched forests striving to the sea. Krk is the largest island, Cres is a home to Griffon Vulture, jeopardized bird of prey, where they breed at lower elevations than anywhere in Europe, with nests 10 meters above sea level and the close contact with people is common.

When You spend time on these islands, You get in touch with nature as well as Your inner self reveling the spots You never knew existed, leaving You richer and happier.

She didn’t share my opinion and feelings. Yes, there are no doctors, stores or cars. There are only few places where You can get Your credit card trough. Maybe, that’s the thing she didn’t like. Sorry, dear, but those shortages, I consider an advantages. Although, some islands have their own urban centers fusing modern life styles with traditional treasures. And lots of residents have their own family boats with whom they can reach Italian coast in four hours or so. Adriatic has unique flora and fauna on mainland and beneath the sea surface as well. It is a home to Mediterranean Monk Seal, one of the most jeopardized mammals on the world. She has been seen near Telascica, park of nature with one of the greatest coral colony in Croatian underwater as well. So, I am buying a new diving equipment. Just for sightseeing of course. And, darling, I’m inviting You to join me next summer. If You won’t, frankly, my dear...

Author: Anthony Goodway