Get to know Croatia

Floral Sunday morning

2009-07-05T08:09:00.004+02:00

Finally, Sunday in peace with some fresh peaches and coffee and memories of my constant inspiration - the island of Olib. Pictures from June 2009, something to share with all my virtual friends for Today's Flowers. To see more flower beauties, visit

My world Tuesday

2009-06-29T21:08:00.003+02:00

This is typical "street" in Olib - little island in the Adriatic with history over 500 years. So, this is little part of My World. To see more world, visit My World Tuesday

Yellow and wild

2009-06-28T20:45:00.003+02:00

What else to say but yellow and wild...just a little contribution for Today's Flowers!
To see more beauties visit

Wild spring flowers

2009-04-26T20:52:00.005+02:00

After a shorter Sunday travel to Čigoć (the first European Stork Village) here are few flowery pictures of wild life which grows near the road.I'll leave storks for next week and (hopefully) - Tuesday. Until Tuesday be sure to enjoy Today's flowers - the best way to end Sunday...

Pink beauties

2009-04-19T14:14:00.005+02:00

The island of Olib is known to have rather hot and dry summers, so I was really happy to spend here few days this Easter because I found plenty flower beauties, among which is definitely this little and modest cyclamen. Visit Today's Flowers to see more flower enthusiast.

Skywatch Friday No. 40

2009-04-16T21:14:00.005+02:00

I had nothing much to share lately, but last Friday (which was Great Friday as well) gave me great experience while we were sailing to Olib - fog on the sea, so here it is : Skywatch fog for Skywatch Friday.
To see more sky , visit SkyWatch Friday

Today's Flowers

2009-03-22T21:56:00.004+01:00

I'm sorry I don't have more time to dedicate to this great group of bloggers because I really adore flowers and I'm so happy that I was able to find few natural, spring "visitors" in my back yard.
To see even more beauties, visit Today's Flowers.

Fresh flowers

2009-02-22T20:23:00.006+01:00

Finally, I've welcomed new 2009 flowers in my garden. I hope it is just the beginning of many more colorful and flowery Sundays.
Please visit more beauties on Today's Flowers

Playing with flowers

2009-01-25T18:00:00.000+01:00

I tried to cut out few details from two pictures that included flowers. It's was rather interesting game for me and I hope it'll color up a bit Today's flowers. Visit more beauties on:

I'm calling for spring!

2009-01-18T18:16:00.002+01:00

Snowy and cold Sunday is a perfect occasion for my "spring crying" with a little, flower branch from last spring. To see more beautiful flowers, do visit Today's Flower.

Blue sky in Zadar

2009-01-15T19:40:00.001+01:00

I'll continue to my last post from Tuesday and add two pictures of careless seagulls playing on the top of St. Donat church. It was early August morning and I was enjoying my first cup of coffee in one, very pleasant and calm Zadar's cafe, on one of the most famous streets in Zadar (and Croatia) called Kalelarga (which means something like a "wide street")

Enjoy SkyWatch Friday!

St. Donat's Church in Zadar

2009-01-12T21:05:00.006+01:00

This is one of the most famous churches in Croatia. It was built in the 9th (ninth) century and it is symbol of the town of Zadar and due to its' peculiar shape it is special in Europe as well - being the representative of pre-romanesque architecture style.

St. Donat owns its' name to Zadar's bishop Donat and it was originally named and dedicated to the holy Trinity and the name of St. Donat came in the 15th century.
St. Donat has fantastic acustic characteristics and that's why there's over four decade old tradition of Musical Evenings in st. Donat, Zadar.

All in all - few more notes about Croatia and a little contribution to My World Tuesday! Be sure to check them all!

Summer memories

2009-01-11T19:37:00.003+01:00

Only thing that blooms on winter is frost and snow, but these are not flowers :-), so here's one, simple rosemary from August 2008 - I hope it'll warm up a bit this freezing Sunday. Visit today's flower to see more beauties!

Simple view

2009-01-08T20:38:00.004+01:00

It's just a simple view from my bedroom window - and I'm sure that today's SkyWatch Friday will bring great sky views!

Visit SkyWatch Friday!

Church of St. Peter and Paul

2009-01-05T19:50:00.004+01:00

As I already mentioned, I live in a little town Ivanić Grad, situated in the North West part of Croatia, some 40 kilometers to the East from Croatian capital Zagreb. For today’s “My world Tuesday” I’ll share Church of St. Peter’s and Paul, located in the center of Ivanić Grad.

This church was built in 1831. It lies on the location of an old church and fortress whose history goes back to 1387.

Around that old church (which was made of wood) town and parish has developed, which is now known as Ivanić Grad. Visit many other places around the world in My World Tuesday

Today's flower

2009-01-04T18:56:00.003+01:00

Finally, I came to visit this wonderful and "flowering" society for whom I truly hope that will grow even more in 2009 bringing us all more happiness and life beauties with their flower contributes.

Here's my small addition - from last summer, to warm up a bit cold winter days!

Few more notes about Croatia

2009-01-04T08:38:00.008+01:00

In my first post (on this blog) I mentioned basic information about Croatia, and I don't think it's necessary to repeat myself (although there's an old saying in Croatia that says "Repeating is the mother of wisdom" - my free translation), but did you know that Croatia (little as it is) has eight national parks.
Four of them are located in mountain area (Risnjak, Northern Velebit, Paklenica and Plitvice Lakes) and another for are located on the Adriatic Coast and Sea.

Mljet - island in the south part of the Adriatic Sea.

Mljet

Brijuni - group of islands which lies along the West side of Istria coast, opposite to the town of Pula.

Kornati - group of islands located in the middle part of the Adriatic Coast, between Zadar and Šibenik area. National Park Kornati has 89 little islands and rocks, but this land part of park is only 1/4 of Park, because the rest is made of sea eco system. I can hardly find the best words to describe NP Kornati, so I'll borrow words from G. Bernard Shaw's (George Bernard Shaw - Irish playwriter) descriptions of Kornati "On the last day of the Creation, God desired to crown His work and thus created Kornati Islands out of tears, stars and breath!".

Kornati

National Park Krka is located in Šibenik area and involves area along the flow of river Krka which rises at the bottom of Dinara mountain (Dinara is mountain which lies both in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, its' highest top is Troglav (1913 m - in Bosnia), and the top Sinjal (1831 m - in Croatian part) is the highest mounatin top in Croatia). Krka's flow is about 50 km in land area, and afterwards it starts to mix with sea water and flows into the Adriatic Sea (about 20 km).

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2009-01-03T13:41:00.000+01:00

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Little treat

2008-12-28T21:06:00.003+01:00

I found it in a super market - all alone, in a little pot. Dried and without color. I know it's not a puppy, but I couldn't resist, so I bought it...if only I could know its' name...
Happy New Year!

Christmas in Croatia

2008-12-23T12:52:00.006+01:00

Christmas preparation starts within last weeks of November with the first Sunday of Advent, depending on which day Christmas will come, so every Sunday, Croats light a candle at Sunday launch, and on Christmas, they light all four candles.
Children are really happy during the Advent because they receive presents on St. Nicholas Day (6th December) and on St. Lucia (13th December), and these customs go back to the 11th century. Of course, they got presents on Christmas Day as well.
In that time, it was habit for a person to dress up in white sheets and visit children in their houses giving dried figs, almonds, walnuts and apples and spooking little “skylarks”.
Modern age kept only St Nicholas who fills children boots with candies and sweets, and “boogie man” (in Croatia called “krampus”) who leaves sticks to naughty kids.
One of the oldest Christmas presents was decorated apple called “Božićnica” (Christmas is “Božić” in Croatian). Young men gave Božićnica to young girls or women they liked.
Only custom that is still popular here is sowing the Christmas wheat as a symbol of wealth and fertility, and this custom is also present in south Italy and Portugal.

On Christmas Eve three big logs are entered in the house and are put on a fireplace, and with their flame people used to light up Christmas candles.
“Official” beginning of Christmas holidays was entering straw fagots into the house where it was spread under the kitchen table. Straw was a symbol of Christ being born in a little barn.
In the middle of nineteenth century Croatia also started to decorate Christmas, although the original custom of tree decorating goes back to 16th century, to Germany.

Ferryboat

2008-12-11T20:49:00.003+01:00

Last summer we sailed from the town of Zadar to island Olib - on a ferry boat, so here are two pictures from typical Croatian archipelago - sky is blue and bright - and to see more beautiful skies certainly visit SkyWatch Friday!

Trees on fire

2008-12-04T11:32:00.004+01:00

Autumn sunset on nearby hill - it was lazy Sunday afternoon, few clouds in the sky and me, hanging around with my camera.
I'm sure this SkyWatch Friday will offer us even more excited Sky shots, so don't miss them!

Ships, history, sea...

2008-12-01T20:54:00.003+01:00

Many of Croatian ships that sail around the Adriatic Sea have names dedicated to famous Croatian historical individuals. One of those ships (car ferry that sails on route between Zadar and islands Olib, Silba, Premuda and Ist) is named Bartol Kasic.

Bartol Kasic was Croatian linguist, writer and Jesuit who lived between sixteenth and seventeenth century. He was born on the island Pag and died in Roma, Italy.

Bartol Kasic wasn't famous world wide, but I think it's a decent contribution to My World Tuesday.

To see more world stories, visit

Today's Flowers

2008-11-30T19:04:00.003+01:00

It's Sunday - time for flowers and all flower lovers!

Visit and enjoy!

Lantana Camara

Sky Watch Friday No 20

2008-11-27T21:00:00.003+01:00

Someone would think that I'm a bit nostalgic adding here only old summer photos but at the moment I'm without my old PC (or should I say without my tool for adjusting fresh photos) so this two oldies should do!

Happy SkyWatch!

Today's Flower

2008-11-23T19:34:00.007+01:00

Here's a Sunflower from my garden - of course, from July

Today's Flower

2008-11-23T19:34:00.006+01:00

Here's a Sunflower from my garden - of course, from July... To see more beauties, visit

Today's Flowers

Lemonade Award

2008-11-21T14:06:00.003+01:00

Well, I got a little present from one, very nice blogger - young lady Nedekcir gave me Lemonade Award, so now it's time for me to pass it on and try add here at least ten agile bloggers. It's not easy, I must admit, but I'll do my best.
It's a simple procedure, where you need to first add a Lemon Award logo on your blog, after that link 10 bloggers plus the person who gave you this Award, and of course, be sure to let those bloggers know that they have been awarded.
So, here we are :

1. My Recipes - interesting collection of food and recipes.

2. Turkish Food Passion - great site where I often return to see tasty and inspiring food.

3. {Me and Mine} - site with fantastic pictures and very informative content

4. Three Monkeys - I don't need to say much - see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

5. Yambol Daily Picture - yet another smart and spirited blog and one of my favorites

6. Emm in London - girl who says that's just learning how to photograph, but I think she's much more then regular student in "subject - photography "

7. Manámaná - I must add this blog - I guees I love food and cooking more then I want to admit.

8. The Earth Is Not a Trash Can - title tells it, and all I can add - must see!

9. Forced Green - another excellent page about ecology.

10. PICTURE THIS - no comment, come and see it for yourself. Set of wonderful photos.

So, that does - may you all have a wonderful weekend and I hope you'll visit my, above mentioned, blogging friends.

Two sunsets

2008-11-20T19:20:00.004+01:00

Two summer sunsets...I can still feel warm summer sun and fresh sea breeze, but with every new Friday we are one step closer to the most beautiful time in the year - Christmas time. Friday is here with new round of Skywatch Friday - enjoy it while you prepare for upcoming holidays.

Happy SkyWatch

Pumpkins, pumpkins...

2008-11-17T20:20:00.007+01:00

I live in a little town called Ivanić (Ivanich) Grad (city) which is situated some 40 kilometers to the East from Croatian capital Zagreb. Population is less then 10000 inhabitants, but demographic data are not the real issue here - Ivanić maybe hasn't theaters or music halls like bigger cities, but one of very interesting manifestations is definitely "Bučijada" or "Pumpkins' Day" - this year it was held on the 19th of October - it was crowded and very hard for me take few decent shots.

That's my world for today - to see more World, click here

Stones and flowers

2008-11-16T19:41:00.004+01:00

Flowers can grow in pots, in garden, in forest...you name it...but there is a special magic in wild flowers which grows from stones or rock.
Today's beauties grow on Olib coast, few inches above the sea.

More lovely

Stones and flowers

2008-11-16T19:41:00.003+01:00

Sunny days

2008-11-14T07:04:00.005+01:00

November in Croatia brought windy and cold days combined with fog and rain. I know that this scenery will soon be followed by Christmas time, but before we take snow tour, I would really like to enjoy in some past, sunny days.

Happy SkyWatch!

Morning in port Gaženica, in Zadar - the island you see opposite is Ugljan

White building is cafe "Grobak" - place with the best cappuccino in Zadar archipelago.

The city of Ozalj

2008-11-11T19:44:00.005+01:00

City of Ozalj is situated in the Northwest part of Karlovac county. It lies on rivers Kupa and Dobra ("Dobra" means "good" in Croatian) and it's very close to Souther spurs of Žumberak Mountains.
The Old Castle - symbol of Ozalj and center of its' historical development lies above river Kupa.
By its' value, Old Castle belongs to the first monument category.
Here are few pictures from the town of Ozalj, and if you want to visit more beautiful places in the world, visit That's My World

My little pot

2008-11-09T19:21:00.004+01:00

I was so happy when I found this little fellow bloomed yesterday afternoon - so I think it deserves to be shared with the rest of the world.
Especially now, when blooming flowers are not that often due to winter time knocking at our door.

To see more beauties, please visit Today's Flowers.

I believe it's some sort of Delosperma cooperi - I'm not sure in English translation, and I don't think that Croatian expression would be much of a help.

St. Nicholas Bay

2008-11-06T19:42:00.007+01:00

Island Olib is blessed with many beautiful beaches and bays. One of these places is definitely St. Nicholas Bay (St. Nicholas - Saint patron of sailors and children).
Olib villagers devoted a little church placed in this bay(beach) built in 1881. Near the church of Saint Nicholas there is a little cottage which was build as a shelter for sailors. In the middle of 19th century Austrian Navy District constructed bricked stoned pillars for ships tie up.
While digging footings for this church, constructors found human sculls and bones which is a certain proof that this area was inhibited many centuries ago.
On the path which leads from center village to St. Nicholas there is a little crossroad and a platform whose picture is a great overture for today's SkyWatch Friday.

These pictures were taken last August, so now you can all imagine why there's not a one, single cloud on this blue summer sky.

Happy SkyWatch

Something to share

2008-11-03T21:30:00.005+01:00

I'm sure no one can state the exact number of "world bloggers". We are trying to express ourselves in best way we can and in area we feel most confident.
After a while we start visiting virtual places of mutual blogging concerns and exchanging thoughts with people who share similar interests.
One of my blogging friends - Klearchos (thank you very much) - sent me one, very interesting blogging award -

and now I'll pass it on to another six friend bloggers:

1. Titania's Yesterday Today and Tomorrow ,one of my favorite subjects - gardening

2. Jasmin's Heart, interesting and sometimes provocative thought of a young man who tasted the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina

3. Arie Wijaya, "hi tech with soul" gadgets

4. Sweet Sensation, Croatian girl with excellent eye for food

5. Bulgarian Silvatree, totally different point of view

6. SolReka, brighter energy solutions

Besides forwarding Kreativ Blogger, I must write six things that make me happy, so, let's go...

1. My son (and his happiness)
2. Family
3. Sea
4. Photography (when I have time)
5. Gardening
6. And I'm really happy when I see everybody around me happy...

Happy,happy, happy...

Now, it's time for "Virtual place of mutual blogging interest" - this place is definitely MyWorld Tuesday - place to share your peace of world.

I'll share a picture or two from a little village called Vivodina, placed in North West part of Croatia, near town of Ozalj. Vivodina goes back to sixteenth century when it was called Vojvodina (besides meaning "duchy" Vojvodina is North part of Serbia - like Kosovo (used to be)). It's situated on a hill offering you a chance to have a great view on little hills and villages surrounding Vivodina. It is famous for its' wineyards.

Rainy days

2008-10-30T20:08:00.004+01:00

It's time for SkyWatch Friday - not much to share from my side because past days had only brought rain and clouds with only a silhouette of Sun. Besides all these clouds here's a little detail I ran across when I visited the village of Vivodina last weekend.
Happy SkyWatch to all "sky followers"!

Karlovac - city that sleaps on four rivers

2008-10-28T21:21:00.005+01:00

Karlovac is the biggest city in the Croatian region Pokuplje (region which follows the flow of river Kupa) and it lies on four rivers - Kupa, Korana, Mrežnica and Dobra.
Karlovac is rather young city and it is known its' exact date of birth - 13th July 1579. It was named after Austrian archduke Karlo.
In 18th and 19th century Karlovac was the main Croatian trade center.
Last Saturday we went on a little trip to Karlovac area so here are few pictures from Karlovac center and river Korana .

Playing with my digital zoom

2008-10-23T11:54:00.007+02:00

Last December I bought brand new digital camera - we could call it "a treat". I was a total amateur (not that I'm much better today ...) with digital cameras and it took me several months to "discover" the right usage of optical zoom combined with digital zoom, so I played a little bit with my digital zoom this summer...of course now I realized that I could use a good tripod for even better photographs...well, all in its' right time - right now it's time for SKY WATCH FRIDAY, so do visit this merry fellowship to see even more beautiful pictures. Happy SWF!

This yacht was far away from the place I stood, but my "Olympus" make it a bit closer....

This fort used to warn old Olib "villagers" when pirates or similar trouble was on the way

It is just simple picture showing the sky and clouds...

SWF - Herzegovina

2008-10-16T21:13:00.004+02:00

Here are few pictures from June - it was high summer, weather was hot, days were long...
These pictures are showing waterfall Kravica and river Neretva - both very popular, not only in Herzegovina, but even more far then Bosnian border
More beautiful pictures on SKYWATCH FRIDAY

Happy SWF

Waterfall Kravica

River Neretva

"Pretty in pink"

2008-10-12T19:30:00.001+02:00

It's Sunday - perfect day for resting and Today's Flowers. Autumn is starting to be very serious in Croatia, so I'm left with only flower or two. I'm sorry, I couldn't find translation for pink flowers, but I'm sure that real flower-lovers know what is its' name...and I don't need to present calendular (or everlasting) - very modest flower, but known for its' curative characteristics.

Only the clouds and the sea...

2008-10-09T20:53:00.003+02:00

Yesterday (the 8th October) was the Croatian Independence Day - National holiday and, non - working day - I spent at home, gardening, and of course - looking at the sky...I saw few clouds and I remembered that soon it'll be time for SkyWatch Friday -so here are some "clouds" and to stop "moisten" it a bit - two pictures from my summer vacation - the island of Olib...
Happy SkyWatch

These are clouds above my town - Ivanic Grad, little town in Croatian region Moslavina.

It was the only rainy day on our vacation - but I'm not sure which of these is to blame :-)

Little bay Slatinica - perfect for couples with young children (like me and my husband, for example...)

Olib is about 30 kilometers of coast and it took me 13 hours to go around it (nine years ago)

Today's flowers - for all flower's lovers

2008-10-06T13:36:00.007+02:00

I found interesting site - Today's Flowers - and there was plenty of other web pages and blogs with so many beautiful picture with flowers.
Here's my small contribute to their society.

Pelargonium L., Geraniaceae

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Visit Today's Flowers to find even more lovely flowers pictures

Back to Northern Velebit

2008-10-02T13:38:00.010+02:00

When I made this blog, one of my post were about National Park Northern Velebit - now I found two or three pictures that could fit to that post, and also could fit to SkyWatch Friday -
so, enjoy the view - and from Velebit, and from SkyWatch

Moravina - Olib

2008-09-26T22:18:00.005+02:00

It is little bay(or beach) - which of those you prefer to call it. It is situated on the south part of island Olib.

You can't take direct path to Moravina - you must take a boat, or walk to bay St. Nicolas and then take a little 30 minute walk by coast.

"Climbing" by the coast can be very stimulating and inspiring when you walk in bright August sun and especially when you find yourself in bushes few meters above this coast because your dog is too small to jump from rock to rock :-) and you always have a feeling like you're gonna step on a snake...but when you come to Moravina, you forget all those "traveling spices" because the sea is so clear and most of the year you'll find your peace there.

I visited it in the middle of touristic season so it was very hard to photograph it whole because there were few yachts enjoying in this little paradise.

SkyWatch Friday

2008-09-26T07:35:00.003+02:00

Instead of Friday's morning sky I'll put here some summer pictures reminding me on some warmer and sunnier times - It's autumn, the wind is blowing and it seems that sky is crying remembering the summer.

It's SkyWatch Friday

I'm longing to see some bright, blue color instead of dark and rainy sky...

It's a little sandy bay where you can walk and walk and water is still under your knees.

SkyWatch Friday

2008-09-19T08:21:00.007+02:00

Time runs so fast and before you know it - Friday is hear. Thanks to that merry and worldwide society called SKYWATCHFRIDAY I've started to look at sky more carefully...so here are few pics from my side for this Friday...

It was the only rainy day on our vacation providing me a chance to get a glance of lazy and sleeping village.

There a wind called "Bura" or Bora, which blows from continent (you can see the mountain of Velebit behind the village) to the sea bringing good weather and clear sky...

Sun went to sleep leaving Olib to summer warmness and peace...

SkyWatch Friday

2008-09-12T08:08:00.003+02:00

SkyWatch Friday - I'm very happy because I found this unique and very positive society made of "photo" addicted people.

Me, I guess I'm addicted to sunsets...

Here's the link - visit it, you won't be sorry...

SkyWatch Friday

Until some other Friday

South wind brings sadness...

2008-09-06T22:04:00.003+02:00

South wind was blowing the night we left Olib, and it made me feel really sad - a feeling named "la tristesa" or "tristesa" is the best way to describe my emotional state. We had wonderful time with plenty of sunny and hot days followed with hours of swimming and eating fish. I'm sure there will be enough material for many stories and posts. Here are few pictures, just to get started.

Back to Croatia

2008-07-30T12:32:00.004+02:00

Adriatic Sea has very indented coast with 1185 islands (66 islands are inhabitated) and in this sea of islands I found my island (I took the liberty to express myself in this way).

This piece of paradise has its’ name - Olib. I’ve been spending my vacations there over 25 years – ever since I was a little girl and now I passed this love to my son.

There is only one village on this island wearing the same name – Olib which is situated in the center of island in Bay of Sv. Stošija offering secure place for sailboats and boats. Like many other islands in the Adriatic, Olib has rich and unique history. Traces of first inhabitants date to the Roman Empire, but “official” year for Olib is 1476 when it is populated by deserters and refugees who came to Olib running away from Osman Empire.

People who lived there were mainly occupied with fishing, livestock, viticulture, trading and sailing. In golden times Olib was inhabitated with over 2000 people, school had almost two hundred pupils, but I don’t want to continue, because today’s picture is too sad – from next September there will be only one pupil in Olib’s primary school. Today’s population is about 150 mainly old people.

Unfortunately, stories from the past are covered with dust because there’s no one left to produce wine or famous Olib’s cheese (to be more absurd, in worlds’ cheese encyclopedia among Croatian cheese there’s a whole page dedicated to Olib cheese, but when you come there and want to buy it, you’ll only get confused looks from local population).

So, what am I doing in this “forgotten” place? I guess I’m addicted to this crystal clear sea and the fresh sea air.

I’ll add some pictures from our last visit to Olib in June. We’ll be going to Olib next week and I hope when I return (in the beginning of September) that I’ll have even more pictures of this beautiful island. I walked around Olib twice – and the second time I did it in one day, it took me 13 hours, and I still have fresh pictures in my head from that trip (although it was 9 years ago). Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera with.

I hope I won’t make the same mistake this summer.

If you ever visit...

2008-07-28T13:22:00.013+02:00

...Bosnia and Herzegovina be sure to drop by Kravica - fabulous waterfall near town Ljubuški. This magical nature wonder was made by river Trebižat. Waterfalls are between 26 to 28 meters high forming "natural pool" about 120 meters in diameter. This is one of the biggest waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in the summertime this is very popular place for tourists visiting this area. Here are some picture from our last month's visit to Herzegovina - and I do hope my next post won't wait that long to be published...

...looking from the road above Kravica...

...almost went swimming...

...nice "tuff" bar with more beer brands then ice cream...

Here are some picture from another Herzegovina's beauty - river Neretva - famous in history - from the time of Osman Empire, through Second world war to nowadays... Thank God, the war is over, and Neretva can give you only its' peace and beauty...

One of the biggest wine yards (if not the biggest) in this area is situated in Herzegovina, and I tried to catch it from our roof window...

Nikola Tesla Street

2008-04-28T13:53:00.003+02:00

This the name of the street where I used to live before I got married and moved away, so it would totally unfair to leave out that great genius and visionary whose inventions marked our history. For those who don’t know, Nikola Tesla was born in little place called Smiljan, near town Gospić (Lika, Croatia), and he died in New York in 1943. His father was an orthodox priest and his mother a housewife.

Many documentaries about his life presented him as a very alive and intelligent child. He was ecstatic about reading so he “swallowed” everything that came under his hands and although his parents tried to forbid him too much reading, it was almost impossible to stop little genius when he wanted to accomplish his goals – he used to lock himself in his room and he would stuff slots under the door and kea hole so no one would see candle light.

He finished German primary school in Smiljan, and continue gymnasium in Gospić and Karlovac. Although his parents force him to become a priest, he attended Technical University in Graz and continues technical studies in Prague. After he finished university, he started working in Budapest (as a telephone engineer) and Paris (in company owned by Thomas A. Edison). He went to the United States of America where he continued working for T.A. Edison, but when Edison tricked him (he developed transmission of electric energy when Edison invented electric bulb – Edison promised him a reward after he finishes the job, but never did pay him) Tesla left him and continue working on his own until 1885 when George Westinghouse from Pittsburgh bought the rights for Tesla’s polyphase system of alternate dynamo, transformer and motor. Many times in his life Tesla “crashed” with Thomas A. Edison and the culmination was when he was given a Nobel Prize, but he refused to take it because it was shared with T.A. Edison.

There are too many inventions in our every day life which are his credit and we are not even aware of them. Every time we turn on the lights or any other device which uses alternating current we must thank Nikola Tesla for it. If we turn the radio (Although the invention of radio was credited to Marconi, real inventor of radio transmissions was Nikola Tesla) or we need any kind of remote control, again, we must thank Nikola Tesla (in 1898 Tesla first time demonstrated the remotely controlled boat, in Madison Square Garden)

I could continue counting and counting – but I don’t want to be too boring – I’ll just give you link with Tesla’s patent collection.

Today’s menu: Croatia

2008-03-26T15:53:00.008+01:00

Although Croatia is a very small country, its’ national cuisine offers many tasty and traditional food and each region has its’ own specialty. It’s hard for me to start writing about it because I’m afraid I could leave someone or something out. Basic division is made of continental and coastal kitchen, and later, those two types are divided on certain areas and regions.
Continental cuisine consists of North Croatia (Croatian Zagorje region, Međimurje, Moslavina, Banija…), Slavonia and Baranja, Lika and Gorski Kotar, Zagora.

Croatian shore offers us Istria kitchen, Kvarner kitchen and Dalmatian kitchen.

There are too many specialities to fit them in one article or post, but I’ll try to find at least one for each of those regions.

I’ll start my tour in the North of Croatia and take a quick scroll through Zagorje hills where you must stop by for “Zagorski Štrukli” (it’s side dish, desert, main dish…made of pastry and fresh cow cheese and it can be sweet or salted), “Češnjovke” (garlic sausages) with home made corn bread and inevitable “Purica z Mlinci” (baked turkey with side dish “mlinci” – kind of boiled pasta).

If we continue towards south it would be unfair to leave out Zagreb’s famous “Paprenjaci” (gingerbread) and Samobor whose glory rests on fabulous “Samoborske Kremšnite” (something like custard pastries).

I was born in Moslavina, little and beautiful region which is known for “Kotlovina” – old and traditional meal prepared in big plate and made of many meat types. It was typical fair trade or market food.

Plane Slavonia and Baranja are home of “Kulen” (one of the most popular Croatian brands), “Fiš Paprikaš” (stow with fish), “Gibanica” (cheese cake, but literal translation it would something like ~moving cake~ :-)), Ham, “Orehnjača” (wall-nut cake) and various delicate cookies and pastries.

Lika’s kitchen and area called “Zagora” are widely known for their specialities with sauerkraut, polenta and lamb meat while region of Gorski Kotar is attached with simple yet very tasty food made of potatoes – mostly…

Istra can offers us beautiful landscapes and autochthon architecture where it would be a great sin if we’d missed delicious with truffles, Istra’s Pršut (Pršut is a type of ham which can be produced in Mediterranean and coastal areas), aromatic cheese and all of that bathed in extra virgin olive oil.

Kvarner and its’ littoral have asparagus festivals, mussel and crustacean food and delicious fresh fish dishes like various soups, “Brodetos” and “Peka” (peka is name for food made on fire place or in open fire under special top cover).

Although Dalmatia is the last on this short list her value and luxury of dishes is great. Plenty of fresh sea fish (both “white” and “blue”) can’t leave anyone aloof because there’s too much gastronomy magic hidden in famous “Lešada” (boiled fish), “Pašticada” (type of goulash), Fritula, “Kroštula” (both are Dalmatian cookies), famous cheese and lamb from island of Pag, fresh oysters from Ston, “Rožata” (another dessert prepared with sugar, eggs and milk…).

To put and end to this story and make it complete we must not exclude Croatian wines – both white and black, continental and coastal – all together they make a perfect couple for your palate.

Old gentleman on Croatian Riviera

2008-03-19T14:52:00.004+01:00

Lovran is city that holds old and very rich past, and it has over 100 years old tourist tradition. Name Lovran was taken after laurel (laures nobilis) which can be found in the city and around nearby area. This old and vivid city can offer you mild climate with rich vegetation and many of Lovran’s architecture are considered to be World’s worth heritage.

Lovran is the oldest settlement on the Liburnia coast and it is the place where Villa Fernandea was built (in 1873) which was the first tourist building in that area. One of the most popular notabilities in Lovran is definitely coast promenade called Strandweg – Lungomare , it is about 12 kilometers long and it connects Lovran with Volosko. Along that Lungomare you can freely access the sea.

It is great place for adventure tourists because it can offer you mountain walks (or better call it climbs) from 0 meters sea level and all the way to the top of Učka (1396 – top Vojak) – mountain above Lovran. This walk starts on the coast where you need to pass over 1000 stairs to reach first slope of Učka and mountain villages.

If you find yourself in spring time you must not miss Asparagus Festive which is usually in April – in that period all restaurants and taverns prepare authentic asparagus food, and at the end of Festive there is traditional “Fešta od Šparug” where you can see music and cultural program followed by great “fritaja” made of over 1000 scrambled eggs and over 60 pounds asparagus in a pan over 2 m in diameter.

In June, you can attend “Days of Sweet Cherries” –Dani Črešanj Va Lovrane– where in local restaurants and cafés you can try delicious cherry cakes and other sweets.

And we must not leave out the autumn festive dedicated to Chestnuts – Marunada – which offers you, besides many chestnut delicious, homemade mead, and young wine.

At the end it wouldn’t be bad for me to wish all the best in Liburnia Riviera and, of course, boun apetite.

National Park Risnjak

2008-03-06T21:45:00.006+01:00

Croatia

is rather small country and that’s one of the main reason you can find many places and areas where different types of clime meet and merge into unique one. One of those places is surely mountain and National Park Risnjak, situated in part of

Croatia

called Gorski Kotar.

Risnjak is part of Dinarides and it is placed between continental part of Pannonia Valley, Alps and Adriatic Sea. One of the main characteristics of Risnjak is its’ narrowness – Risnjak is only 30 kilometres in width. Most significant mountain tops on Risnjak are top Veliki Risnjak (1528 m) and top Snježnik (1506).

Because of its’ specific geographic, geologic, vegetative and climatic phenomena, Risnjak was declared National Park in 1953। In a very small area you can discovere valuable nature appearances, dinarides detritus, rain forest area and untouched mountain tops.

You can access this area very easy because it is located very close to city centres Rijeka, on the coast, and Zagreb – in the continental area. If you ever find yourself travelling through that area don’t miss special dishes from Gorski Kotar like “Hunter’s Macaroni” or “Budla” – autochthon Goran’s filling prepared of pork meat, bacon and bread

Fly in a balloon across Croatia

2008-02-28T21:05:00.003+01:00

Lately, agencies in Croatia are offering trips across the country in a balloon – I must admit that this trend isn’t bad at all, because it would unfair to postpone this aspect of tourism in Croatia if we know that one of the inventors of parachute was Croatian scientist Faust Vrančić (Šibenik 1551 – Venice 1617). This extraordinary man who was at the same time priest and bishop, linguist, inventor …upgraded Leonardo Da Vinci’s first parachute. He stretched canvas between right-angled frame, and he even proved that it works by jumping of a tower in Venice. He named it Homo Volans (Flying man). Although parachute in nowadays shape was invented in the late 18^th century (it’s credit of Frenchman Louis-Sebastien Lenormand in 1783, and first jump was taken by Jean-Pierre Blanchard in 1785), I think that Faust Vrančić also deserves his place in inventing this important device.

How about a vacation in Croatia?

2008-02-24T13:29:00.009+01:00

We are all looking forward for summer and I'm sure we have big plans for holidays. If you ever come across Balkan peninsula and find yourself in Croatia, there are many things you could find to visit here. This is simple post about general information and destination (maybe even someone could call it commercial), but I hope this could tickle your imagination and curiosity just a little.
Majority of people who come here finds it most attractive to spend vacation on the Adriatic Sea, which is a very good idea if you are stuck with only a week or 10 days vacation, and I'm sure that the coast could offer you more then just crystal clear sea and warm weather. If you are lucky and have at least two weeks of vacation, then it would be nice if you could treat yourself with one-day trip to Plitvice Lakes for example, or Krka National Park.
National Park Plitvice Lakes was proclaimed in1949, and its' beauty and specific notabilities caused that Plitvice was put under special protection of UNESCO.

Another National Park is Krka - proclaimed in 1985 and it is 7th Croatian National Park. You can cruise the Park by short boat trips on its' lakes and waterfalls and enjoy in this special detritus phenomena.

Croatia’s warm heart – Licitars

2008-02-21T23:24:00.005+01:00

In today’s hasty time when we are bombed with piles of commercials and bad news, and every time we turn on the TV new war brakes down, it would be nice to have chance to close your eyes for a moment and to think about something nice for a change.

In my “fight” against general chaos and grayness, I’ll add this short story about Licitar’s heart (or gingerbread heart) – traditional product of central part of Croatia. This is one of rare and authentic Croatian traditional souvenirs whose history goes back to the 18^th century when there was first appearance of Licitar craftsman in Zagreb, Samobor, Karlovac, Varaždin, and other places. Making of Licitars started in middle Ages, in Europeans’ monoesters, where cakes and gingerbreads were made with wooden modules, and later on this way of manufacturing grew into handicraft.

There is a special bond for Licitar’s Heart for those who are in love, because there were times, in Croatia, when it was a custom to give a Licitar’s Heart to one you love, unfortunately all we have today is just some memories and stories of the time when love was the most valuable treasure you had and you couldn’t put a price on it, unlike today.

Northern Velebit National Park

2008-02-11T21:53:00.001+01:00

Croatia is small country with many different geographical characteristic such as sea and rivers, mountains and valleys. Velebit is one unique mountain to which we could dedicate several web pages, and it is very hard to put all the notabilities in just one, simple post.

If you ever find yourself in Croatia and you want to visit the place where both Mediterranean and continental climate meet in one spot, then the Northern Velebit National Park is the perfect place. This National Park was proclaimed in June 1999, and its’ area of only 109 km² (it’s less then 70 mi²) is rather small for all the varieties it offers. This territory is special because of its’ unique nature beauties, exceptional diversities of detritus phenomena, and richness of biodiversity.

Throat through the Park is strictly forbidden, except taking the famous Premužić’s Trail. This mountain trail was named after its’ builder Ante Premužić, it was constructed for three years - from 1930 to 1933 (which is rather short period if we know that everything there was “done by hand” ) and it goes from mountain top Zavižan (Northern Velebit) to Baške Oštarije (middle of Velebit) for 57 km (35 miles).

This trail passes through the most inaccessible and the most beautiful parts of Velebit, and from the Trail you can see the Adriatic Sea and islands Pag, Rab, Goli, Prvić and Krk, and Lika hinterland from the continental side

When the Sea and the Sun start to dance

2008-02-07T13:43:00.002+01:00

Do you know where the town of Zadar is? This beautiful Dalmatian city with its’ over three thousand years old tradition (first mention of Zadar goes back to the 4th century b.Ch.) is situated in the middle of Croatian cost. Because of its’ location, Zadar is administrative, economic and political center of North Dalmatia with the population of 90 000 people. Specific geographic position and well-indented coast (archipelago of Zadar is made of 24 bigger islands and over 300 small islands and cliffs) made ideal conditions for developing of nautical tourism, and its’ intact nature attracts many tourists to national and nature parks, but I’ll live Paklenica, Kornati and other beauties for one of my future posts.
Today’s issue is about one unique attraction in the world – Sea Organ and Monument to the Sun. I must confess that it is rather hard for me to find the proper words to describe this joint of human innovation and energy of the sea, waves and the sun. I’ll try to make it as simpler and clearer as possible.

Sea Organ is situated at the top of new Zadar’s Riva (harbour for big cruisers) and they are made of differently shaped coast parts made of several rows of stairs which are lowering to the sea. Those stairs are placed along the cost for seventy meters and, under them there are 35 vertically placed pipes of different length, diameter and tilts (at the lowest sea-tide level). At its’ ends pipes have labiums (whistles) which play 7 chords of 5 tones. Stone stairs (on their top) produce sound, and with that the music, made by air compressed by the sea.

Monument to the Sun consists of one 22 meters diameter circle made of three hundred glass plates and it is in the level with stone-paved water front. Beneath those glasses conducting plates there are photo-voltage solar modules which absorb sun energy and transform it to the electric energy which is then passed on to the distributive system. Monument to the Sun is made as our Sun System with all planets in it. It is connected with Sea Organ whose sound is then “transpondered” to a lighting game which starts after Sun goes down.

Did you know that the First Tie came from Croatia?

2008-02-06T12:58:00.002+01:00

Tie is unavoidable clothing issue and you can't imagine business meeting or any special occasion without an appropriate suite and properly chosen tie. But, did you know that tie originally came from Croatia? It was middle of the 17^th century and Paris was visited by 6000 soldiers and knights as a support to the King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu. Many Croatian mercenaries were among them. One, very special fashion detail on Croatian solders caught up the attention of French officers – silk scarf tied under the collar of shirt was something completely different and new, and, which was proven later, more practical then starched lace collar. The word “cravate” has its’ roots in French word “Croata” which was their expression for Croats (Croatia – in Croatian language is pronounced Hrvatska), and later on that root transferred to other European and world languages, and with that came the fashion of wearing ties as well. Here are pictures of some basic tie nodes, first two are recommended for shirts with classic collar, and the third and fourth picture are showing nodes for "french cut" collar shirts

Croatia, where is that?

2008-02-05T22:29:00.000+01:00

Republic of Croatia is little Mediterranean country situated on the Balkan Peninsula. Many people think of Croatia to be still in "tribe community" but I must say that we've abandoned this kind of regime hundreds of years ago :-). Many years brought upon us war troubles and disasters and we had to fought a many battles (I mean that as a metaphor) to gain our independence. I'm not here to talk about the history aspect, but I must make a little 50-60 years digression. After the Second World War Croatia was part of Republic of Yugoslavia (former Yugoslavia consisted of six republics and two districts) and, as the time went by, at the end of the 1980-es it was the right moment for each republic to become independent - at least we thought like it was. I'll skip the "war issue" there is Haag Tribune to discus that matter. We gained our independence (after many lost lives and broken homes) and it is time to move on, to a better future. I'm here to write and talk about natural beauties of Croatia, about our Adriatic Sea and over thousand islands. Mountains, rivers, national and nature parks, and all of that in only a little bit over 56ooo km2. I just found out that Croatia is the 126th biggest country in the world (or should I say "smallest" :-)). Now, when we realized what are we talking about, we can move on further more. I hope I'll be able to present you at least one little bit of Croatian natural beauty and I truly hope you'll like it. Enough for our first conversation, I don't want to become boring.

Greetings to you all