in rijeka

Just went to the weirdest castle ever....

Each of the three towers were in a different style, reflecting the three major (re)building efforts... 1200s, 1500s against the Ottomans, and finally, the late 1800s by an enterprising Austrian field marshall. He decided to put a greek temple mausoleum in the castle.

...yeah

On the other hand, because the locals don't really consider it a major site (far eclipsed by the nearby church that is on some holy pilgrimage location), visits are free, and no one was around to yel at me for some scampering about the old castle ruins. (They were mostly drinking coffee in the outdoor cafe inthe castle courtyard)

Next up is the most uncertain part of this mini excursion... I am catching a ferry to the islan of Cres, but it's one hotel is completely booked. The hostel peole back at Zagreb (Bella and Sandra) says there will be people holding signs advertising private rooms on the pier. Let's hope I get relatively unsketchy accomodations!

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Going on an overnight trip to Rijeka. Bringing only my kindle and a change of clothes and some kuna. Hope to see castle and ride Ferry in Adriatic. Wish me luck!

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So it turned out all right. There were not any people holding rooms for let signs, but I asked the Tourist info office who directed me toa travel agency who booked me a room behind a restaurant for 45 euro, which was roughly what zi was expecting to pay.

So this is really intended to be a relaxing resort style island experience... lots of restaurants and boutiques, and you can sped your day swimming or hiking or exploring small villages, etc. I'm on the island a total of 14 hours, and that includes the sleep part. So I had to keep telling myself to relax...otherwise I would not get any enjoyment out of it. So I had a fancy dinner, and thenwalked along the seaside until there weren't so many people around. Then I went for a swim just as the sun was setting over the Adriatic, and then walked back and ate some gelato. People keep staring at me, but that may be bexause I am the only asian I've seen all week. So any Germans, Croats, Italians, etc. They must be like, what's up with this lone squat Asian chick? Maybe that's what it's like to be gaijin.
Anyway, if I wake up early enough omorrow morning, I' go for a hike through the hills before heading back on the 8:30 ferry. It's so weird, but the only means of getng on the island all happen at night, and leaving the island is only possible in the morning.