Croatia 24th September 2019
Both Martin and I were awake well before the alarm, so we got up early and finished the last minute packing. After a cup of tea we loaded everything into the car and were off on the first flying holiday since America (2017). It was raining hard so we had to grab our wet weather coats at the last moment. The M25 was down by one lane due to an accident so we were half an hour late, and when we did get to Gatwick Martin told me the wrong address for the carpark so sat nav lady led us to a set of offices and not a car park. Searching for the correct place to leave the car set us back another half an hour. This meant we only had time to grab a coffee and a croissant before heading for the departure gate.
We were first on to the plane but this didn't mater because the bad weather had slowed everything down and we sat on the tarmac for another half an hour before we could take off. The flight only lasted 1hr and 38 mins as it was TUI's dream line, but while the flight was quick, loading the coach for the transfer to Poreč seemed to take an age to leave Pula airport.
Our coach took us to Poreč bus station and we had to collect our luggage and put it onto the mini van, then follow the TUI rep across the road to the harbor where we waited for the ferry boat to take us across to the island of St Nicholas and the Valamar island resort Isabella Hotel.
Ferry
Registration was very quick and in a minute we were looking out of our balcony at a beautiful sea view, the town of Porec and the swimming pool below us.
Once we had claimed our luggage and unpacked we quickly changed into our shorts for a bit of an explore, in search of food and a drink. We had a toasted cheese and ham sandwich in the pool grill not realizing they were huge sandwiches complete with salad and chips.
At five oclock we went to have welcome drinks with the TUI rep. We dont normally do this as we know their main theme is not to give out information but to sell the expensive excursions. However the receptionist had gabbled so fast we had no clue about meals and facilities so had little choice. As it turned out Sue was pretty good and didn't ram the excursions down our throats too much, and gave out some good info about other things we could do/go,
Our next port of call was the local Spa shop in the town to stock up on munchies and tea/coffee (not available in our room despite it being 4 star). We also needed to get some more Kona from the ATM as the cheese sandwiches and drinks had been a tad expensive. Sadly the hoards had got there before us and there was no tea or coffee to be had, so we settled for beer, lemonade and crisps.
One of the beaches (the only sandy one)
on the island.
Going back across on the ferry.
One of the many crafty stalls on the harbour
Finally we ended the day back in the main dining room for a buffet style 4 course meal and then forgoing the evening entertainment collapsing into a huge king double bed.
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