PULA - Croatia (Wed 24 June)

We went into Pula today for a look around the ruins etc. An old amphitheatre that is huge and very well preserved, at least the outside walls are. They were setting up for a Sinead O’Connor concert while we were there. She is performing here tomorrow night in the arena and Elton John is coming here soon too. They do like their old school music, but what a great venue for a concert. Also here are churches, a Triumphal arch, a Roman theatre, a historical museum set in castle like surroundings, plus, plus, plus. We went into the church at the front of the Franciscan Monastery, and just like the Cossack this church was very simple and unadorned. So unlike the other churches that we have visited over the last few weeks. There was a woman doing a piano recital on a grand piano at the front of the church while we were there. Nice touch I thought.

After meandering around the old town, we headed for the beach, or rather resort town. These resorts are huge and include theme parks that would easily outdo the Easter show. They also provide access to their own beaches. But these are beaches not as we know them. In reality they are little bundles of white cliffs, down which you can scramble to wedge yourself between rocks at obtuse angles to gather the few rays of sun that are out today. You get the impression that the occupants of the beach are saying to themselves “I have paid for this holiday and I am going to sunbathe, rain, hail or shine.” And they do, on the rocks, despite the fact that today is a very average day and quite chilly.