Split 2016

As we travelled to Croatia by car with the boat, we decided to stay in a hotel on the way. On recommendations from the Boote-Forum, we chose the Gasthaus Thaler near Graz. The inn is only three kilometres from the motorway and has plenty of parking for rigs. We planned to arrive around 10 p.m., but because of the traffic we only got there after midnight. A quick call on the way, and it was no problem – they had waited for us. The rooms are clean and tidy, and at 74 euros including breakfast for two people the price is reasonable. Breakfast is available from 7 a.m. Shower and toilet are in the room. But you should close the windows at night, as the inn is on a busy road.

After breakfast we continued towards Tisno, which we reached at 1 p.m. In the summer we had left our boat in Gina's dry dock, and here the great service showed again: when we arrived in Tisno, our boat was already at the crane. Unfortunately we had forgotten to say that we were bringing a new boat – but no problem, the new one was simply launched instead. Our apartment at Gina's is great: bedroom, bathroom and living room with kitchen, and a balcony with a view of Tisno.

As the weather wasn't so nice the next day and it kept drizzling, we set off on foot to Jezera, right along the sea. When we arrived in Jezera it was pouring with rain, and the only option was to flee into a café.

Once the clouds had broken up, we set off back and decided to take the direct route over the hill. It doesn't always look like a path, but it is one. Not everyone was pleased about the climb – it was very steep.

Wednesday means: off to the Boote-Forum meetup in Mala Luka. As it was a bit windy in the bay, the meetup was promptly moved to another bay. It was the end of September, but there were still 5 boats at the meetup.

In the next few days we took a trip to Split by car. We drove into the large car park right by the harbour and, after a bit of waiting, found a space. Split is great – simply walk through the lanes and enjoy the beautiful old town.

After a few hours we left the city centre again. You pay for the car park at the booth as you leave, and there we experienced something we had only ever read about. First we had to wait 10 minutes until the car in front had paid, and when it was our turn we knew why. We had to pay 35 kuna and paid with a 50-kuna note; we got 5 kuna back in coins. Pointing out several times that we had paid with a 50-kuna note didn't help – he kept showing us two 20-kuna notes that we had supposedly paid with. It wasn't about the 10 kuna for us, but simply about the cheek and audacity. So I told him I would call the police and switched off my engine right in the exit. Within 5 seconds I had the rest of the money and we could leave. So a clear warning about this car park: better to only hand over the money once you know the exact amount – and ideally pay the exact amount.

These are the moments why we love Croatia so much: watching nature at play.

Taking the boat out, cleaning it, winterising it and then packing it up properly.