Croatia - Tourist Trap or Beauty in Action?

I find driving in Croatia a bit confusing. The speed limit is often posted with changing signs every 5m. 50 says one sign, 60 says the next and then 50 again…The net result is no one quite knows what speed to do. What I do notice is that while us tourists largely try to decipher the meaning in these road signs, locals simply ignore them altogether. I guess that is what happens when you live in a place where nothing make much sense - you simply ignore the none sense? However, the locals drive like crazy people. Their speed limit seems set to the maximum I can manage.

I also note that Croatia is not cheap anymore. Especially since it adopted the Euro - the fake currency I truly detest. Not only is it expensive but they find ways to gouge the tourists as well - 4.95Eur to withdraw money from an ATM - my own bank's ATM too!!!

Between that and the impact of COVID lockdowns and restrictions a few years ago, much here has changed. Gone are our favorite restaurants. One replaced by a gaudy block of flats on the sea front, another simply now with graffiti and boarded windows. The coastline is also dotted with unfinished buildings these days - some look like they will never be completed.

It is however, still a beautiful and scenic place. The mountains rising in the distance give it a majestic feel. The ocean waters are like crystal - clear, sparkling and clean.

However, I wonder if I will return here again… too many people, too many cars, too many rip offs. Or perhaps, I will but off season in the van and take my time to take in the sights as I go. You see, when you are with two teen girls - they just want the beach and the sea. Dad wanting to look at the scenery on the way is just booooring. Forget visiting a museum or two and do not dare reach for that dowsing rod Dad! Just how I was as a kid….

Meanwhile, I am now in that strange holiday land where I am not sure what day it is nor what is going on in the world - and neither do I care…

what a great feeling that is….