It's Good to Get Lost

To wake up in a new city, in a country you have only seen through photographs and movies is a beautiful thing. Setting off for the day of exploration, with only a map for guidance is the start of a new adventure. You never know what challenges, or people you will encounter. For anyone who knows me from a bar of soap, they’d know I’m directionally challenged. I am from one of the smallest cities in Australia, where I have lived my whole life and still can’t remember how to get to friends houses. So it didn’t come as a shock to many people, when I told them of the amount of times I got lost whilst travelling. As an estimate, I would say I had no idea where I was for 30% of my trip. Yet each time I spent hours searching for my seemingly close hostel, it was the kindness of a stranger that helped me find my way. Generally the people couldn’t even speak English, but they saw a young foreign girl lost in their country and decided to help. 

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On the day of my departure back to Australia, I was in the capital city of Croatia, Zagreb. I had a 5pm flight out, so I decided to make the most of my last day and venture into the city centre. I bought some clothes, tactically bought a water so I could use a little café’s toilet and some medication as all the partying in Budapest had given me a pretty gnarly chest infection. I walked back to the hostel without getting lost, packed up my belongings and headed to the bus station. I arrived to the bus station with time to spare and a massive internal smile going on as I realised this was the first time in three months I had successfully walked to various places I hadn’t been before without getting lost. It’s fair to say I was killing it, thinking that with all this travelling maybe I was getting the hang of maps and directions. I got on the bus to pay the driver, scrimmaging through my bag, my heart dropped. I didn’t have my wallet. No, no, no please tell me I had my wallet. I realised I must of left it at the hostel. The bus driver could obviously see my worried and just generally annoyed expression as he said he would take me to the airport for free. I said thankyou, but explained how I had left my wallet at the hostel and I had to go back to Australia and would need my money, ID, cards etc. At this point I was holding off panicked tears, thinking I’m going to miss my flight when the driver told me to follow him into the office of what I’m assuming was the boss. There were a few men speaking Hungarian to each other, when one of them got me water, told me to sit and asked for the name of my hostel. They rung my hostel to confirm my wallet was there, I thanked them so much for their help and said I was going to walk back to get it.
“No, no, no!” they grunted, “I drive you.”
So one of the men drove me to my hostel, collected the wallet, drove back to the bus station and I still made it on time for the bus to the airport.

That day I learnt that Croatian bus drivers are my new favourite people and I couldn’t even explain how thankful I was for the kindness of those men. I also learnt not to be cocky, because there’s always something else ready to bite you on the bum when you least expect it. And lastly I learnt, that it is much easier to live a directionally challenged life than a forgetful one.  Next time, I think I’ll stick to getting lost.

CROATIA

Croatia was the last stop on my Euro Adventure before the dreaded flight back to reality. It was however, an amazing last destination and something so far from Australia. The beauty of the country was phenomenal! Everywhere you looked you were in awe of the pebbled beaches, buildings and beautiful weather. I was lucky to spend a week in 30-35 degree heat, yet the week after I left some friends I met travelling said there was a thunder storm and although hot weather, constant drizzling rain.

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ZAGREB
I arrived in the capitol of Croatia, Zagreb, by plane from Budapest. Although the train and bus would of been the cheaper and more sensible option, I was lazy and starved for time. I'd recommend bus as it is surprisingly quicker than train but make sure you book in advance as buses, especially in peak season, sell out very quickly. The capitol city is not unlike other European cities with beautiful architecture and busy, lively streets. Public transport is very reliable. Although the city provided a good insight into inland Croatia, it's got nothing on the coastal beauty of the country. I'd recommend only a couple of nights stay before making your way to the coastal region.

THE WORLD IS FILLED WITH BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE: Through my whole time in Europe, I noticed a lot of locals and people who worked in hospitality to be very hostile towards tourists. With the thousands of tourists flocking their towns every year this is understandable, yet for a lost first time backpacker a little kindness can go a long way. The people I met in Zagreb were the friendliest and most helpful locals I met in Europe. The day I was meant to catch my first of five flights home from Zagreb I got to the bus station, was about to pay for a ticket to the airport when I realised I had left my wallet and phone at the hostel. Panic mode set in as the harsh reality that I may well have to leave behind my money, cards and phone so I don't miss my flight came flocking in. Evidently you could see it in my face, as the bus driver who could barely speak english told me I could get on for free. I thanked him but said I had left my wallet and phone at the Hostel. I was sick with a chest infection, over tired and this was the last thing I needed before going home; my eyes began to well up. The bus driver took me into the office to his manager and began speaking croatian to what I assumed was his boss. He then sat me down, gave me water and asked which hostel I was staying at. They rang the hostel to make sure my wallet and phone were there, I thanked them profusely and said I was going to walk back to get them. "No, no, no!" He replied shaking his head, "We drive you." Not only did the bus driver drive me to my hostel to collect my wallet, but made sure I was back in time for the next bus to the airport. This act of kindness never goes astray and I will since be forever grateful for Croatian bus drivers! ▲

SPLIT 

Split is like the coastal hub of Croatia, it is basically where all the ferries dock to take people to the other islands. It has a beautiful town center, filled with orange tiled roofs and sandstone buildings. The harbour area is filled with bars and restaurants and when I arrived at 12am by bus, and there was music pumping, the streets were filled with street performers and an endless number of tourists; I knew I was going to have a very good time. I spent most of my time in Split at the beach, this was mostly because I was sick. However I'd recommend browsing through the little streets at the boutique stores for one off jewellery and hand-made goods. There is a hill you can climb, that on the map looks far too intimidating for someone who has spent the past few months drinking and eating away their life in Europe, but it's actually not that bad. It provides an excellent view of the city, great photo opp and if your feeling romantic or spiritual, go up and watch the sunrise/set for a beautiful sight you'll never forget. There is also the National Park, which is worth a visit. Often hostels plan day trips to the Park which I highly suggest taking up as it is difficult to make your own way there. 

HVAR