Croatian Summer Delights - August 2012

Arrival by:       Car (from UK via France & Germany)
Status:              Republic of Croatia
Capital:            Zagreb
Currency:        Kuna
Language:        Croatian
Native drink:   Rakija (plum brandy), Prosek (aperetif/dessert wine), good beers & excellent wines
Country Tip:   Eat as local as possible and stick to the authentic dishes (ie no pizzas!).

Accommodation:  Family & friends
                               Hotel Selce, Selce
                               Valamar Hotel Porec

Notes on travel:

The summer months in Croatia are busy.  Accommodation is sparse, indeed we were very lucky to find room at above listed properties, without pre-booking.

What I found really interesting to see this summer is that the local Croatian cuisine has been pushed 'off the table' by cheap and cheerful pizza, pasta, and french fries.

Apart from those who suffer certain food allergies and/or intolerances (and there can't be as many as I counted ...), it's a shame that the default food choice mostly appears to be one of the three listed above.  Not to say that I don't occasionally enjoy these foods myself - however, I still feel that when going to the lenghts of choosing your holiday destination and preparing for the travel, the anticipation of discovering something 'new' should be high on the agenda.  With each new country to explore, its food should be at the centre of it, as it gives plentiful insights into the local culture and can be a wonderful 'exploration' in its own right - you might be surprised!

With an array of barbecued meat and fish dishes, Croatian vegetables, salads and casseroles are also wonderfully satisfying.  Each area of the country has their own style of cuisine, with most visitors being exposed to the coastal way of food preparation. 

A colourful Adriatic plate of Prsut, olives and Pag cheese

Particularly in the northern area of Istria, the Italian foods are quite popular, based on history they were imported a while back and have remained (hence the pizza and pasta!).  But they're still not considered 'Croatian', therefore delving into some more exciting and tasty options will bring great reward for the pallet. 

BBQ fish - fresh & simple

As you travel south along the coast to Dalmatia, the food becomes more sophisticated ... an abundance of fish and fish soups, roasted goat's meat, grilled meats, accompanied by some of the best Dalmatian wines won't disappoint.

Šampita - a cream slice

Croatia also exceeds in its variety of delightful cakes and desserts.  These can be bought from the many ice-cream parlours around each town. 

Home-baked pancake gratin

And should you get a chance to try some home-made cakes, then don't hesitate ... they will be addictive :)

Do you enjoy local foods when you travel or do you prefer the 'safe' option?  And what are your reasons?  Would welcome your thoughts on this subject ...



Tokyo Pulse

At the eastern end of Asia, Japan is a place I didn’t expect to visit any time soon.  As luck will have it, a current project has required several business trips to Tokyo in recent months, and has introduced me to a most surprising and pleasant cultural experience.

On arrival the first impression begins with the queuing outside the airport terminal.  A designated area is painted in front of each coach stop, which allows travellers to form an orderly line.  Upon arrival and departure of each coach, the conductors bow expressly and repeatedly to the bus driver.

Tokyo forms a sea of buildings and covers a vast area, hugging Tokyo Bay which leads into the Sagami-nada Sea, through the Uraga Channel, and finally into the Pacific Ocean.

Getting some height in the city, either in your hotel room, office or hotel bar, will reward with a view across the sea of buildings.  Impressive during the day, the city takes on a life of its own at night. 

Flashing red lights are located on the roofs of major skyscrapers, expressing the city’s vibrancy; they create a moving effect which aptly reflects life in the busy metropolis.  Particularly on a clear night, this effect can be mesmerizing.

Parks are plenty and all worth a visit.  Often these open spaces will surprise with a temple or shrine, adding an interesting twist to a walk.  Many of the parks’ pine trees, which also often line the city’s streets, are trimmed to perfection. 

The undersides of branches are cleverly and neatly trimmed away, leaving the needles or leaves just growing upwards - creating a great effect!

Immersing yourself in the local culture by meeting some locals is well worth the effort, particularly over a pint of Japanese beer, which by the way is far too drinkable.  Your efforts will be rewarded by warmth, curiosity, interest and some banter, even when both sides' language skills are somewhat lacking!

So, get out there and explore some of Tokyo if you get a chance ...