Wednesday, July 06, 2016

Day trip to Rovinj - Istria Peninsula


Wednesday, July 6th – SKABE – Tour the upper Istria Peninsula.

After a leisurely morning of coffee and conversation in the shade of the porch off of Mira’s kitchen, we follow Roberts suggested itinerary and drive towards the seaside town of Roving.

Relaxes morning at SKABE farmhouse
After several incorrect stops at shopping malls in search of the PBZ ATM that we believe has some affiliation with Bank of America, Art, who has forgotten his passport is still unable to withdraw Kuna. We drive towards Rovinj stopping first at a tiny village where we eat lunch in the shaded courtyard of a jazz café.
Village lunch, Art and Kate
When we arrive in Rovinj, Kate finds street parking, pays the meter via her phone, and we wander the old town, climbing cobbled streets uphill to the Cathedral and the park overlooking the harbor and the city below.

Rovinj

Rovinj




















The afternoon is hot and humid and we find a shaded grassy spot in the park and Kate pulls a rattan mat from her rucksack, unfolds it and the three of us nap on the mat. John leans up against a tree and continues reading Snow Crash. I seldom nap but am exhausted from the heat and our busy itinerary and fall asleep immediately.
Rovinj park
Rovinj rocky beach

An hour later we stroll down towards the harbor where John swims off the rocks. There are many cafe bars with terraces overlooking the sea below. Art wants a gelato but a “Greek style” cliff side café beckons Kate and me. While Art wanders the old town, Kate and I sit propped on cushions in the cool shade of the cafe just steps from the water and order frothy mint lemonades. Thirty minutes later, I walk up to the top of the street to meet Art and to inform John of our whereabouts. Art joins us in the cafe and John swims up to the café and hauls himself onto the terrace, drips dry and orders a drink.

Cafe bar, Rovinj
Swim up cafe, Rovinj










Rovinj harbor











Robert has suggested The Viking Restaurant along the canal where we can eat especially fresh oysters and fish. Finding the restaurant is challenging but Art navigates and we eventually find the restaurant, order oysters, raw shrimp and other assorted platters of friend fish. Not being a fan of oysters, the food is not my favorite but it has been a lovely day of exploration and relaxation on the breathtakingly beautiful Istria Peninsula.
Viking Restaurant, Rovinj

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