A short drive and a short ride: From Porton Biondi to Funtana
Friday June 21, 2013We had seen so little of Croatia so far that we decided to have a look at one more spot along the coast before we left the Istrian penninsula. Poreč is a town with a rich history, a 6th century basilica and is worth seeing. It was a drive of about 40 km to the north, hardly worth packing up for, and on the other side of the fjord that we hadn't yet gotten a proper look at. This was our big chance. We stopped at the edge of the fjord for some pictures and stopped again after winding our way up on the curvy road to the top of the ravine.
Lim Fjord from below
Lim Fjord from above
When we parked at the fjord, we saw these mulberry trees. As a child I only knew mulberries from a children's song "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" and only saw my first mulberries when I was 32. I still get excited when I see the real thing.
Mulberries
We stopped at Camping Punica a short distance from Poreč. It had all the qualities we look for - flat ground, not too big, moderately priced, quiet and this time directly at the water's edge, no road in between. We usually look for a site close to the wash houses and bathrooms so as not to have to take a great hike for a pee. What we found was ideal: we were next to the wash houses and our site bordered on the water. For two days we could call seaside property our very own, nothing but a tree between us and the water. Pictures of our perfect spot will come tomorrow.
After getting ourselves settled in, we got on our bikes for a ride to Poreč. Actually, I thought it was just around the corner, but the 10 km ride was along a somewhat busy coast path. Many people were out for swimming and sunbathing and picnicking and the path accomodated all. On the way back we chose to share the road with the cars and it wasn't any busier.
Today was perhaps the hottest day so far. Once we got off our bikes and we no longer had a breeze to cool us, it was stifling. And Poreč didn't have the charm for us that Rovinj did. It was bigger, and although here too the Venetian influence was visible, the atmosphere was lacking. We were also disappointed that its major landmark, the 6th century Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, was already closed.
After getting ourselves settled in, we got on our bikes for a ride to Poreč. Actually, I thought it was just around the corner, but the 10 km ride was along a somewhat busy coast path. Many people were out for swimming and sunbathing and picnicking and the path accomodated all. On the way back we chose to share the road with the cars and it wasn't any busier.
Today was perhaps the hottest day so far. Once we got off our bikes and we no longer had a breeze to cool us, it was stifling. And Poreč didn't have the charm for us that Rovinj did. It was bigger, and although here too the Venetian influence was visible, the atmosphere was lacking. We were also disappointed that its major landmark, the 6th century Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, was already closed.
The sweltering streets of Porec
Venetian Gothic palaces in Poreč
We pedalled home, ate our supper with a view to the water, walked around for some pictures and returned to the camper for a grandiose sunset.
Marina in the evening sun
Someone is out for a last swim of the day - the colors are real.
Our sunset - enhanced to render the feeling