FIRE !!!!!!!!!!!!

(Pictured by Barbara/Baky)

Still not the typical Dalmatian spring weather, sunny and warm.

But those clouds we see daily create unique moments.

This sky was pictured two days ago at sundown.

Barbara (alias Baky),
the always active daughter of our best friends/ neighbours snapped it at it's most stunning moment.

So who cares when temperatures are (slightly) below average, 

and the Dalmatian sun (once in a while) hides behind some clouds.

I don't, as long as it gives us moments like this.

Picture taken from Svinisce, looking direction Mosor Mountains.

If interested, see this weather page (in Dutch),
showing the statistics for the next 14 days.

Dalmatian weather forecast for the next 14 days.

And keep in mind, today's weather is certain,
tomorrow is another day. 

Meteorologists are like fortune tellers,

they make you believe they tell the truth, but only heaven knóws.

PS.

Today weather is nice, fairly sunny and no rain coming.

Oh shit, just saw a giant cloud float in.

:-)

a charming diaspora story

(Sanja and Elena)

Recently I got an email from Australia.

Nothing special you may say, well read on than.

High unemployment rates (today and in history), a suppressing political climate and poor chances to make a change for the better,
made many people leave Croatia.

However these are different times,
still the unemployment is terribly high, 

specially under well educated young people.

For us, retired after making good money (working our balls of) in Holland this is paradise on earth, for all the people in the Yugoslavian/CroatianDalmatian diaspora
there was only one shocking option. 

Leave paradise.

So of they went, to all parts of the globe,
to Canada, Australia, Chile, Germany, America and many more.

Looking for better conditions, with pain in their hearts.

As you must know that each and every Croat loves (LOVES !!!) his homeland, specially those who live near the Adriatic coast.

So this email came in (thanks Peter), writing me how nice it is to follow my "no good for nothing posts".

As Peter is married to the daughter of two fine examples of people from the Croatian diaspora.

Her father and mother separately left Zagreb,
and started a new life in Australia.

By coincidence they met "hey, do I not know you from Zagreb" was the start of a romance, which was followed by having their daughter Linda, who later married Peter, the guy who sent me his email story.

And as Peter and Linda not only wasted time watching TV :-), 

they were blessed with two charming daughters,
called Sanja and Elena.

(Typical Croatian names by the way).

Just a simple feel good story, you may say.

Wish it was, as even second and third generation Croats would love to return to their homeland.

As this is heaven on earth.

Almost.

If only the possibilities were better, for them and all who live and (look for) work here.

But still the average wage is low, finding a decent job a burden,

fighting bureaucracy with all it's unnecessary blockades a horror for people with initiatives.

However....things are changing, as Croatia now is part of Europe.

Still, a bit more ACTION would be fantastic.

As this is like I wrote before:

PARADISE.

(Well ok: álmost paradise).

powerful internet (at last !!! )

One of the "problems" of living in the wild is that some things are different from what we where used to.

No, don't worry, we've got a toilet, a shower,
and even air-conditioning.

In general, all modern comfort is here too, only the internet sometimes is the well known pain in the #ss.

Our telephone connection rises to our high hidden valley through an old copper wire.

Use to having truly fast (hurry up !!!) systems in Holland,
this was a bit of a disappointment.

As internet here is a bit  like this: "i n t e r  n   e    t", including the hick ups, flaws and rumble.

So most people here use their cellphone,
and the same signal is used for internet.

Think they call it ethernet (but I am not a computer nerd).

Till recent our computer ran on older software,
not being the most up to date system so to say.

Than came the bad news, Microsoft stopped feeding the old cow.

Oh shit, that means a new system, including a new computer, as our old "washing machine" was not capable to run that modern stuff.

Well, to keep this story within your limits, we got one and another, and while I took care of our twelve different tomato varieties (still in the nursery), my lovely wife installed all this stuff I love to use.

(She does the hardware, I take care of the soft ware,
i.e. the vegetable garden and such).

So now things changed, as even that ethernet signal creeps through our new system like a hot knife through the butter.

 !!!!!!! INTERPOWERRRRR !!!!!!! 

(And all of it without steroids).

PS.

It's a small step for mankind, but was a giant step for me.

But now it's truly fun to add a couple of pages to this ongoing blog.

Which I just did, and will keep on doing.

who needs (to visit) the USA...............

................... everybody !

So yes, everybody must visit the USA (once).

And to be perfectly clear, I was there twice, and had a great time.

(Once in and around Montana, once in and around Utah).

What always impresses me, is the stunning nature there, however.....it takes a zillion of miles to get from one breath taking place to another amazing peace of creation.

And THAT is the biggest difference with Dalmatia.

Here it only takes me five minutes to reach the Cetina Canyon, thirty minutes to climb Biokovo, and about an hour to stand in freezing cold on the highest peak of Dinara.

An espresso under palm trees in Makarska, overlooking the Adriatic, followed by skiing in Bosnia after less than a two hours drive.

Again I dare to ask "who needs (to visit) the USA".

Not me, not any more, as I was there (and in England, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Norway and a couple more).

Not me, no way, as I still haven't seen it all in this part of Dalmatia, 

all of it in a circle of let's say one (yes ONE) hour's drive.

So my advise to all of you is to visit all of those countries, including the USA, followed by a visit to Dalmatia.

Thán you'll know the answer too.

.

cats.....just cats

For those who frequently read this blog this is no news.

We've got a couple of cats.

Shit happens, as I never was a cat person, but living in Dalmatia things changed.

To be honest, a lot has changed, and for the better.

These cats are a perfect example of all changes in our life.

They just happened to like us.

Living here in (almost) pure wilderness,
one day two young cats came walking in.

Guess somebody kicked them out of the car, or forgot to feed them.

Anyway, they came, and having one or two rapidly changes into more.

We take care of them, buying loads of catfood, feeding them and giving them some love and tender care.

Some of them stay, some other leave again, searching for a partner or even finding a better place to live (if there is one, as mind you, ours still is the best).

Couple of young cats came stumbling in, with a typical cats disease, so we ran to the vet and got some medicine.

First couple of days we had to gain trust, but slowly they got to understand we meant well, so medication was effectively applied and the disease conquered.

And look now, see that bundle of furry happiness.
We take care of them, and get a lot of pleasure and love in return.

The only problem now is to get them out of that seat again.   

Mind you, MY SEAT, where I sit when I have a smoke outside.

young pigs die young

Some vegetarians may want to read another story (I wrote a couple about vegetables too), the others may continue.

Any moment, any place, you'll see one of these basic grills, simple and very effective.

Perfect example is the Tuesday market in Zadvardje (not far from Omis), where there are two places that grill and serve grilled young pig meat.

The wood, not charcoal but WOOD, is what makes it even more tasty.

Smoky, no additives, just that meat and some sea salt.  

And what a delight that is, crispy, salty, tasty, melting in your mouth.

My favourite place is near the gas station (no problem, still far enough), where they grill behind the place, and chop and serve in front.

There you can buy whatever peace you like, as long as it's about one kilogram.

Takeaway or savoured at the (crowded) terrace, where automatically you get dishes, cutlery and some bread.

Want to drink, still early in the morning, fine, if not it's also ok.

But the taste, oh boy, that taste !

Simple, so simple, but oh dear, so extremely tasty !

PS.

I afraid of fatty hands, take a napkin with you :-)

Lidl Omis, hot air or at last !

(Picture "stolen" from a friendly photographer on the web).

The problem with rumours is that one does not know if it's fact or fiction.

Let's hope this rumour is a fact to happen:

Lidl is landing in Omis.

And that is great news !

As however there is plenty to choose from in Omis, 

my personal favourite for daily shopping is Lidl.

(Not for their meat however).

Regularly visiting the big Studenac supermarket,
I keep missing Lidl in Omis.

There are a couple in and around Split, one in Makarska, 

also in Sinj and Imotski, but Omis....

Main objection is the ridiculous Studenac "system"
for returning empty bottles or cans.

Recently the front of the store was redecorated, looks better than before, 

however, with a couple of empty bottles one still has to go to some shabby corner, in rain, wind or snow (and some sun of course). 

There a grumpy person counts every bottle one by one, before writing a ticket that gives one the right of a refund, back in the store.

Sounds pretty "old school communistic", and it is !!!!

As unless, unless ! the bottle is still with a cap, unless it's not clean enough, unless the print is only slightly damaged.

As than the CCCP-party secretary sends you to Siberia.

Come on Studenac, investing money in an update of the exterior is fine, 

but an up-to-date machine for returned bottles seems impossible ?

Give me Lidl, Kaufland or any other competitor, 

all of them with fully automated
 and client friendly in-store service.

I don't need your Clio sweepstake
(as I already have a nice car), 

all I want is an up-to-date store, where I enjoy bringing my money, 

and get the service any modern store today offers.

So let's hope Lidl does open that store in Omis, the sooner the better. 

As perhaps than Studenac finally understands that the fight for customers is only won by pro active competition, value for money and excellent service.

Welcome Lidl in Omis, hopefully not a bubble of hot air, but a fact !

Still for my meat however, I go to the butcher,
and for excellent bread I go to the new bakery in Omis. 

PS.

And by the way: 
some of the Studenac shopping carts have seen better days.
So be careful not to put in to much.

dalmatian hinterland, (dalmatinska zagora), so you still think "ah well"

Work still in progress, but some results already worth sharing,
so you understand why we live here in Svinisce.

The two pictures show one of our terraces and the view we are blessed to have.
And not only the view, as all we hear are birds.
No noise, no traffic (apart from one every hour or so), clean air, and the most stunning view possible.

To bad for you, we are not renting apartments, no way, but there are others who do, on likewise locations here.

So if you like what you see, still less than ten minutes by car from Adriatic, Cetina and Omis, and prefer a truly quiet, peaceful holiday close to everything (and more) but a bit hidden from the crowds, well, think it over.

Our good friend Robert of www.malimlin.com knows where to find you one of these delicious hidden treasures.

kravice waterfalls, a MUST visit !

Lucky you, as you (might) intend to spend your holidays in Dalmatia !

Sun, clear blue sea, beaches and coves, all of it fit for a perfect holiday.

And if you decide to stay in or near Omis or Makarska, or somewhere between them, lucky you are again.

Of course you're planning to do some excursions, trips, or just scrolling around in one of the many charming, historic places.

Baking in the sun, interrupted by a dive in that gorgeous sea, followed by a dinner under a star sprinkled sky, what more can one ask for.

Well, ask me, and I'll share a secret with you :-)

Cross the border !

Huh, why cross the border ?

First of all, because you can tell the jealous folks at home you've spent your holidays in both beautiful Dalmatia and Bosnia.

Yes Bosnia, BiH, or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As Bosnia is completely different and beautiful !

As there, on the road from Imotski to either Medugorje or Mostar, lies a hidden gem you simply MUST see !

The name of the town you'll pass is Ljubuski, 

and near that town is an absolute MUST SEE !!!

Do not forget to take your swim stuff, as you're going to Kravice Waterfalls.

Why ?

Because I told you so !

The trip takes you through a mostly beautiful landscape, however it's sometimes less interesting.

The whole trip takes you let's say 1.5 hours, if combining it with a visit to Medugorje (if you're a true Catholic) or Mostar (for Muslims, Catholics and Atheists) a whole day, depending on how you like to spend your day.

But don't tell me, you forgot that visit to those magnificent Kravice Waterfalls, 

as than I'll never share a secret with you again.

PS.

Not only it's a breathtaking beautiful place, where you can splash into refreshing water, it's also a nice place to have a romantic dinner.

But remember, you still have to drive back safely, so be careful when drinking, as you want to enjoy those other days on that lazy beach and not in some police station, either to pay a penalty or worse.

(Both countries are ZERO TOLERANCE on alcohol).

ONLY clean Croatian oil: OLIVE OIL

There seem to be plans to drill for oil

in the Adriatic Sea.

Read the article on Total Split

Total Split

and you will agree:

NO OIL DRILLING 

IN THE ADRIATIC SEA

The only clean Croatian oil is Olive Oil

to busy today, so back in time than

Busy, very busy, I might even say EXTREMELY busy.
So if you desperately want to read/look, click on the blue line, as I started writing this blog around 2006.
First in Dutch, but rapidly exchanged for English, as that's more universal :-)
So if you like, click here, back to 2007, or choose any year from the archive on the right side of the main page.
Also, if you prefer to write me, in stead of reading, my email address is in the top side of this very page (in which X of course is @).

But,
now winter (with hardly any cold or snow) has gone, it's time to prepare, plant, seed.
Not like our neighbours, who buy their plants ready to put in the ground.
Not me, not this Dutchman living in Svinisce.

They buy potatoes to plant, funny enough mostly from Holland, as that country is the absolute champion when it comes to creating new potatoes.
Hundreds, even thousands of varieties, many already forgotten, still a lot new types that either give bigger crops, less illnesses, better taste.

But I let them plant potatoes this year, as last couple of years I learned potatoes need a lot of work, attention, water, killing Colorado beetles, all of it to much work for the two of us, not depending on huge amounts of potatoes.
Other stuff however, from vegetables to fruits,
I seed, plant, pamper, grow, and prepare for dinner, all of it from "tons" of seeds I bought (mostly from Holland, some also from here).
Wanna see/eat chocolate brown paprika's or "weird" tomatoes, special herbs or unusual vegetables, come to Svinisce, and be my guest.

Being the cook in the house (all my life), one day we eat some good Italian pasta dish with osso bucco or a home made pizza, the next day it's a nice salad with good bread and a nice glass, or it's some Chinese or Indonesian food.
And still there are the Turkish, French, Indian and Swedish kitchen.
Cooking, as you may understand, is my favourite activity, and the amount of inspiration and ideas unlimited.

But even the cooking these days is (slightly) more basic, as I am BLOODY BUSY.

Ah, you thought Dalmatia is just laying in the sun, sipping nice wine or swimming in the Adriatic or the Cetina River, well, uhhh, it's not :-)
Anyway, not for me/us, as we're not tourists anymore.

And as we are the proud owners of more than two thousand square meters land, which has to be turned into a true paradise, full of flowers, plants and pleasant places to relax.

So, get back to history for a while,
as I am preparing our future, pleasant, easy and most enjoyable.
AND......with a bit less work and MORE time for this blog.
So click here: back to 2007

Ikarus Kurir, the plane and the man

Thanks to the website called 

www.total-inland-dalmatia.com, 

I was reading about a man and his plane.

The ever active Paul Bradbury put a short video on it, which showed a short scenic flight on YouTube, flown in the Imotski area.

What...... , a plane flying around from Imotski, 

that's NEWS !

Is that all, NO.. , as Ivan Zlatan-Rebic is flying it,

 from his private airstrip !!!

The flight already was very interesting, 

showing that rough and amazing area from above, 

the story behind it even more !

As, after a bit of research I discovered (yes, that's inland Dalmatia, always something new to discover), 

I found more and more details.

Details about the plane, details about the man, details about the location, and I love details, as they slowly uncover a tremendous story.

Let's start with the plane, called Ikarus Kurir, 

built in the mid fifties in Zemun , 

a town in what used to be Jugoslavia (SFRJ).

Only one (this one !!!) is still flyable in Croatia, the other only one is in Slovenia, flying or resting, 

I do not know yet.

Built for reconnaissance and transport of wounded soldiers, it lost it's value when helicopters were introduced in the army.

And, it would have been scrapped and lost for ever, if not saved by a retired pilot, called Ivan Zlatan-Rebic and his nephew, who's his assistent. 

With a long professional career in flying various airplanes, from crop dusters to fire fighters and passenger planes all around the world, he managed to save, restore and fly the machine.

Yesterday, I had my day off, which I use to go into the country together with my good friend Robert.

On our list were a photo visit to the beautiful lake in Ricice (near Imotski) after which we went to search for the man and his plane.

Did we find him, yes, YES, YES !!!!!

Was it a true discovery ?

!! ABSOLUTELY !!

As not only is he maintaining this lovely flying oldtimer, he is also building a second one, 3/4 size of the original, to be equipped with an equal engine, however with a turbo booster, specially built for aerobatics .

And is that all, HELL NO, as he's also building another flying device, 

which ain't a plane, nor a helicopter.

But that's another story.

So if you think Dalmatia is just a beautiful coast, 

how terribly wrong can you be !!!

Get out to look behind the coastal mountain ridge, and you'll find out yourself.

The website about Inland Dalmatia is a perfect help.

PS.

And Ivan, thanks very !!! much 

for showing us all you are inventing and doing.

You are truly amazing !

And if you think Nikola Tesla was special,

well, than you don't know Ivan Zlatan-Rebic yet.

Split goes Indonesian

Split, the biggest city in Dalmatia, I visit once in a while, but only when I need special things.

For tourists it's a "must see", for me however, 

not being a tourist, it's that big city I only visit for Bauhaus, Lidl, Konzum or Kaufland.

Of course there are many shops in Omis, our nearest town, but once every week or so I drive to Split.

The reason I don't go more often is simple, 

I don't like crowded big cities.

Next Saturday however I must (!!) go, 

as then there is the yearly food fair.

Normally I even avoid that fair (I've seen enough fairs in my professional life), but this time I MUST GO.

The reason is simple, I love good food, 

and even more, I love cooking (and know how to). 

Italian, Indian, Indonesian, Turkish, and any other kitchen that inspires me to prepare dishes I love 

(and our friends too :-).

Indonesian food however, is one of my favourites.

Because the Netherlands once "owned" Indonesia, there is a strong link to the Indonesian kitchen, as many people coming back home when Indonesia became independent, found it's way to the Dutch 

and their dishes.

Even in our navy there is a tradition to weekly prepare an Indonesian meal.

So, as there is this food fair, with next saturday a representation of Indonesian food and culture 

(dances and such), I must (!!!) go.

The focus will be on a dish called saté (satai), which is prepared of marinated meat (chicken, pork, goat), grilled on wooden sticks over a small wood fire.

The variety is immense, 

even the sauces it can be served with.

One basic ingredient however is used to marinate almost always, and that is ketjap (soy sauce), dark brown and made of fermented soy beans.

Thin like water in Japan, thick as syrup in Indonesia, and even then there are loads of differences, 

going from sweet to salty.

Properly grilled, saté is delicious, served many times with a sauce made of ketjap, peanuts, garlic and a couple of spices, including ginger.

Saté, remember that word, as I wouldn't be surprised if after the hamburger, saté is coming to Dalmatia.

It's simple, it's grilled, it's very tasty, 

and the variety goes far beyond that of hamburgers, cheeseburgers and the like.

Served with boiled rice, French fries or a slice of bread to dip in the sauce, some fresh cucumber and a king's meal is ready to take a firm bite.

With all superior ingredients we've got here, 

no doubt Dalmatia will go Indonesian.

Saté will do the trick.

Dobar tek, slamat makan, enjoy your meal.

I simply must !!! go to Split next Saturday, 

if you know what I mean.

So what did I say:

!!! SATÉ !!!

!

PS.
Was there, saw all stands, and again was a bit disappointed 
about the level of this fair.
About 50% is of the bazaar type, direct sales, one can see every week on the market in Zadvarje (tuesday's)
selling sausages and bacon, oil and cheese.

If looking for interesting presentations, 
better go to Metro in Dugopolje near Split.
At least they were on the fair with a stand full of goodies, nót for direkt sale, but to show the possibilities of creating something else for true cooks (so not for pizza heaters).

And about the saté that was served, well, to be honest, 
I prepare better !
So Sajam Gast (the name of the fair), you won't see me again.

"A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!"

And I, simple nature lover, who thought Sinj was only and all about the famous Alka tournament.

How ignorant could I be !

Thanks to the website 

www.total-inland-dalmatia.com 

I discovered the ever active people of Sinj's tourist organisation were inviting people to join in a guided tour through town.

For free, mind you, for free, and being a Dutchman living in Dalmatia, for free means "go man go".

So off went, I, together with my travel companion Robert (of www.MaliMlin.com), as both of us are originally from Holland.

And no, we didn't see any Alka horses, nor their heroic horsemen, as for the world famous Alka tournament you'll have to come in summer.

Than what makes Sinj so special, all year round ?

Well, first of all Jelena, the charming and very pro active lady of the tourist board.

We were warmly welcomed on the main square, introduced to our splendid guide for the tour, and at 11.00 sharp of we went.

Now before I start to reveal the whole tour, I might say "sorry, but it's your turn".

So get of your lazy sun burned beach (not yet), and go to discover Sinj yourself.

Of course you come to Dalmatia for sun and sea in the first place, however,

before you do so, as we're still in winter, allow yourself the pleasure of discovering Sinj through the internet.

To make things easy, see:

www.visitsinj.com/en

There's plenty of high quality info available, and if interested in history, archaeology, culture, nature, a bit of action and/or adventure, and TRUE Dalmatian life, prepare yourself for a visit to this town, right in the heart of Dalmatia.

As it's a great starting point, absolutely worth a visit or a stay.

Should you need help, info, details, anything, do contact the tourist board of Sinj, as they know it all, and share it all with great hospitality and charm.

And I, humble walking nature lover, I will definitely go back to Sinj.

As to get to understand Dalmatian nature even better, sometimes it even makes sense to enter a town.

And I might just consider to get into nature again, this time on horseback, as that's one of the many offers, an entire week on a horse, instead of walking.

(Sorry horsie, sometimes I like to be lazy).

But no, I won't join the Alka Tournament, as that's for true noblemen.

And besides, I never sat on a horse, yet !

Thank you Sinj, for inviting me.

Kravice Waterfalls (in a couple of months again)

Currently this is the screenshot we see,

 when we start up our computer.

It's taken by Robert, my good friend of malimlin.

I haven't been there yet, but be sure it's on my list, even asap, 

as now that it's winter, the amount of falling water down might even be a lot more than in mid summer.

When Robert drives guests to Mostar and back, this place is a perfect refreshing stop on the way home.

He and I often get going together to discover new places, 

or we share the details after having found one.

Currently I discovered that beautiful monastery (see previous posts), 

Kravice waterfalls however are his discovery.

With lóts (!!) of rain and stormy winds at the moment it's typical Dalmatian winter weather overhere.

Not really very inviting to get out, but the forecast promises in a couple of days I can exchange this picture for the réal thing.

I the meantime this picture showing between emails, blogging and administration keeps us dreaming,

 of another spring followed by another summer and another autumn.

So the price, three months of Dalmatian "winter", we gladly pay.

(And besides, still plenty to do inside house and gardenhouse :-).

Monastery Dragovic, now and before

First of all, I am a non believer !

Or to say it better, not a church going person.

So if you search for me, don't try those buildings, 

as you won't find me there.

However believing is essential for so many people in so many religions, I prefer to follow my own rules, 

and simply hate (!!!) dogma's.

And if only church fathers would use their many words to teach people to peacefully live together, it would be a different world.

All I would like to ask you is to respect your neighbours, 

whatever their religion.

 ! PERIOD !

Recently I drove some good friends from the end in Omis to the beginning of the Cetina, that stunningly beautiful river that dominates Inland Dalmatia.

As usual I follow the right side upstream, 

between Dinara Mountains and the Cetina, 

as that offers a never ending variety of panorama's and discoveries.

(Drive to Trilj, and follow the right side of the Cetina).

Somewhere half way of Perusko Jezero, near a cove called Dabar, 

we entered a small road to the left, 

not having a clue what we would discover this time.

It lead us to Monastar (Monastery) Dragovic, 

a Serbian Orthodox Monastery, inhabited by (only) two hard working friendly monks.

First we just stood at the gate, 

but soon one of them friendly invited us to come in, 

and what a magnificent place it is !

Specially their church is a MUST experience, 

painted with fresco's all around, even on the ceiling.

As you can see on the picture the interior is divine.

Once again, being an atheist, I was truly impressed.

With my limited knowledge of Croatian language I understood only a bit of all that was told, 

so I checked good old internet for details.

Which lead me to the history of this monastery, 

dating back many centuries, 

surviving so many bad (and hopefully good) moments.

One of those moments was when this part of the Cetina was turned into Perusko Jezero.

As you can see on the second picture, the old monastery had to be abandoned as the water in this artificial lake was rising.

The remains of it can still be seen when water in the lake in summer is extremely low, the main chapel however, 

dating back to the very first settlement of the monastery was moved to be rebuilt at where it is now.

An absolutely breath taking experience, and a fine encounter with two brave monks.

I wish them well, and hope old wounds someday will heal, 

as this is a most wonderful part of Inland Dalmatia.

For anybody with good intentions, and a fair portion of self supporting skills, this is the land of milk and honey.

With plenty of opportunities to feed one and ones relatives,

all year round.

(Fish, meat, game, fruits and vegetables, simply anything).

And with enough space for any honest religion.

Sailing, the last freedom

(do click to enlarge)

Sailing used to be the last freedom, and still is, 

in Dalmatia !!!!

Having sailed all my life, from dingies to 420, 470, Hobiecat, ending in a 30 ft. seaworthy yacht 

(called a Pion, built by v.d.Stadt).

On top of that I sailed many trips with a crew of friends 

on 40 to 46 ft. yachts.

With them I had many fantastic trips, in pleasant 

and also véry unpleasant weather.

(The English/French Channel remains to be horrible water).

Dutch waters and North Sea were our territory, Belgium and England our goals.

And for many years, all year round, you could find us/me on those waters.

Even in winter, a bit cold, but total freedom.

Things changed, more yachts, less space, crowded harbours, business and (to many) restrictions took over.

Did I/we have a great time, hell yes, but only at sea freedom could be found.

I lost a feeling, nót for sailing (!!!), but for that freedom.

And to tell you the truth, after we discovered Dalmatia, we also discovered sailing did not have to be that cold, miserable, rainy, stormy, foggy fanatic's thing.

Of course, also in Dalmatia one can be (I can) that fanatic, adjusting every single rope on board to get the maximum boatspeed.

But you don't have to !

As.....here in Dalmatia's waters, you can still enjoy total freedom, in endless clear blue waters, sailing from one island to the next, anchoring in secluded coves, or charming little harbours. 

Only one thing I'll be missing here :-)

Stepping ashore in England, we always found the way to the nearest pub, to enjoy a typical pint of beer.

Sorry for Kaltenberg, Heineken or Karlovacko, but those British pints are a different thing :-)

(Or was it because the atmosphere in those typical British pubs.)

Anyway, if looking for absolute sailing conditions in open sea or between thousands of islands, 

forget about those Northern European waters.

Dalmatia is the true sailors paradise !

A naked paradise, if you prefer a total suntan.

Believe me, as I knów what I am talking about !!

W.T.F. makes Svinisce so d*mned UNIQUE :-)

(Click to enlarge).

Can anybody tell me what makes Svinisce só unique !

Nobody ?

Ok than, if nobody answers I will :-).

Because it's hére, high up from Omis, and deep down behind the coastal mountains of Omiska Dinara.

About 270 meters above sea level and Omis, hidden from the Adriatic behind 600 meters mountain rig.

A green oasis, sprinkles with grapes, olives, a variety of fruits (cherries, figs, melons, strawberries)
and loads of fresh vegetables.

One tiny village, with normal people, living a social life, gathering in bad ánd good times, 

of which there are so many in Inland Dalmatia.

All of them, by they way, worth to be discovered.
As it's there, ánd here, 

that the true Dalmatian heart is beating.

Nót because of tourists bringing money in exchange for some "genuine" entertainment, 

but because it's the way of life here.

But that ain't all :-) !!

We may be living high and deep,
and in our own paradise,
we're not foolish (in case you might think so :-).

If we want, it's 5 (FIVE !!!) minutes down the mountain by car, and we're in the middle of the Cetina Canyon, where boats are shipping tourist cargo to and fro Radmanova Mlinice.

There we have our "private" little meadow at the river for a quick refreshing hot summer swim.

Still that ain't all :-) !!!!

As another 5 (FIVE !!!) or so minutes, we drive through Omis, turn right into the very first road outside town, and go to our "private" beach at a terrace/restaurant called Zvizdan.

Away from the massive crowds on Omis's beach, we take a dive in the Adriatic, preferably in the later afternoon, followed by some good cooked fish or meat, served less than ten meters from the sea.

And around ten in the evening we return home,
five back, five up, and thán:

as it's still not all:

We enjoy the móst precious we've got here.

! SILENCE !

Pure, natural, pristine, forgotten silence, with only the sound of crickets and/or an owl.

Plus, and that's not bad after a hot summer's day, in our valley evening temperature is about five degrees lower than at the coast.

So, if you plan to visit Dalmatia, do not try to find what you're looking for at the coast, but turn your head towards all of them tiny villages just a couple of minutes beyond the coastal mountain rig.

As thát's what makes staying in Svinisce 
(and nearby villages) unique.

And if lucky, join one of our many festivities, nót organised because of tourism,
but because they happen to happen.

(-: And there are a lót :-)

And if this ain't enough:
Split - 30 minutes
Omis - 10 minutes
Trogir - 50 minutes
Biokovo - 45 minutes
Dubrovnik - 150 minutes

PS.

check: 

www.total-inland-dalmatia.com
or

www.secretdalmatia.com
or
www.total-split.com

or

www.malimlin.com

And (I keep telling) anybody with a question
or remark,
do feel free to send me an email.
The address is in the header of this blog.

snow in Svinisce, you'd better know it

(Picture taken from our terrace, 
looking at the nearest neighbours).

Not the typical weather Dalmatia is famous for.
However, it's better I tell you the truth,
the cold, white truth. 
As here it's SNOWING at the moment.
Brrrrrrr.

Suppose you prefer those sun baked months
of our loooong hot summers,

but this type of weather also has it's charms.

The story even goes a bear that forgot it's hibernating time, came down from Biokovo Mountain to search for a snack in a village called Zagvozd.

Both about half an hour by car from here, so don't worry, those bears run back again as quick as possible, so I won't be that snack.

But there are bears on Biokovo, as for sure, that mountain is rough, wide and pure nature.

Bears, boars, mountain goats, wolves, they all live in that vast area, being summer or winter.

Normally only those boars show more frequently, even around us here, but when the weather changes, the chance of seeing one of those other wild species increases a lot.

And snowy weather is one of those conditions.

So I prefer to stay inside now,
with an extra log or two on the fire.
Not because of those animals, 

but because snow is nice.....

......on pictures !

As that's where snow is great.

And NOT:

!!!!!!! NIMBY !!!!!!!!

PS. 

For those who don't know,

nimby means: 
Not In My Back Yard.

so close, yet so unknown

(Photo by Antonio Katavic)

Ricice is the name of the nearby village, Zeleno Jezero (Green Lake) the name of this lake.

Many, if not áll visiting tourists go in a straight line to Imotski, to see them two famous lakes.

Ok, not bad, not bad at all, but I prefer this one.

Ain't gonna bother you with the (rich) history of Ricice, not even gonna tell you about the man, his plane and his private airstrip, you can always go to Youtube or Google and search for "Ikarus Kurir".

No not all of that, "just" this unknown Zeleno Jezero is what I want you to know.

If in or heading for Imotski, check for the signs leading you to Ricice, and if you take the right road (there are a couple), one road may amaze you, simply because it does me évery time I drive it.

And believe me (for once) this colour is not photoshopped, hell nó.

Guess it's the colour that always hits me, especially as you don't expect to see it, not here.

But there is more to tell about this lake.

A typical phenomenon for this type of lakes is that they change shape during the seasons.

Summer level may be low, even so low parts of it's bottom look like elephant's skin.

Winter and spring however bring water from the surrounding mountains, especially those from the nearby Bosnian border.

(Do not feel shocked or surprised when the border patrol stops you to check your papers, as the line between Croatia and Bosnia is very close).

I love this place, much more than those famous two Jezero's in Imotski, mainly because they are púre !

And even the way back to our village (about 45 minutes by car) always makes me feel blessed, cause these hidden areas always surprise me with something I didn't notice before.

It's your turn however to discover, so leave that beach for once, forget about those commonly offered excursions to those two Imotski lakes (worth a visit of course, mind you), and get out to experience one of the many unbelievably unknown gems of Inland Dalmatia.

If interested, search for Total Inland Dalmatia, as there are móre such places.

And don't be surprised if a private airplane roars through the blue sky above you.

Dalmatia, always a surprise waiting !