Monday, September 30, 2024

MLJET, Croatia

This destination was a foodie, sightseeing and exercise paradise, even if we can’t pronounce it’s name. The Croatian language involves a combination of letters that make unique sounds I can’t ever hope to replicate.

Our crew, Pino and Nika, recommended we sample one the the national specialties called Peka (under the bell) a traditional Croatian dish comprised of meat or octopus and vegetables. It is literally a supersized round pan containing the meat and plenty of veggies, cooked beneath a fire for three hours. The meat is so tender and the juices are savory. It was not surprisingly delicious in a cozy atmosphere after a particularly windy day and of course the local wines were the ideal beverage to compliment the meal. We were able to convince Pino and Nika to join us for the meal, but the Panta Rei was only a few feet away so Pino could keep a watchful eye on it.

A fun adventure into the MLJET National Park: men on bikes and women on foot (after a short ride to the launching place). It proved to be an exhilarating day, beautiful weather and scenery, bikes, boats and many steps. For me, a valuable reminder: always carry my own water bottle, my own map, and a full I-phone battery. Getting lost was an excellent lesson in self-reliance and being prepared and a lovely way to test my fitness as I put in an unintended 1490 steps wandering. “All who wander are not lost.”

And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” – John Muir