Emil's Croatian Adventures 2012: September 2012

This morning we are all up by 9am. Pack all our bags and get ready to head off. But before we go we need to make one more visit to a cousin of Marjan's dad's - Teta Marica. We go over to say hello and drop off a few items that dad has sent for them. We are once again warmly greeted and welcomed into their home. We don't stay long as we need to move on.

Back to Teta's we go, pack our car and say our good-bye's. Once again, many, many tears and lots, lots off hugs and kisses. We all promise to keep in touch.

We now go off to Liljana's as she has prepared at late breakfast for us. We all sit down once again for our last meal together, while the boys have their last play. We share a few more stories and take our last minute photos.

We say our last good-bye's and have a lot more tears. Once again promising to keep in touch. It's a sad moment, as we are not sure when or if we will see each other again. Time with the family has been great. We have had the best time and enjoyed every moment. We will definitely miss everyone and we are already longing to return. We still have lots to catch up on.

One more stop before we head off. We drop in to see Stric Stef and say our final good-bye's. This is a very quick visit. A few more photo's and then on our way.

Off to Zagreb we go. We have a 1 1/2 hours drive ahead of us. The weather outside is 25 degrees and rather warm. We have a good drive into Zagreb and go straight to our hotel. Check in and then straight out again. We are going to visit another cousin of Marjan's - Marica. She is a nun that is currently living and working at the children's orphanage in Zagreb. We get there just after 3pm and are warmly welcomed by her and the other sisters. She is so delighted to see us, but mainly to see Emil. She gives him a big hug and a big kiss. We sit down to a meal and after our meal we go on a tour of the orphanage and get to meet some of the children and Emil gets to have a play out in the yard.

In some ways it's a little sad when you hear some of the stories that these kids have endured, but on the other hand, when you hear and see their smiles and that they love where they are, it's warming. We got to meet this little 10 year old girl named Lidia, she was so cute. She is currently learning English at school, so uses this opportunity to practise what she has learnt. She was asking all sorts of questions and we had a real good little chat. That's the one thing that these kids are after, just someone to talk to. Seeing some outsiders is a treat for these kids.

We then tour the chapel that they have and take a few photos.

After our tour of the outside, we go back inside to the area that Marica works in, which is with the toddlers, ages 3 to 7. We meet some of her kids and then go over to the infant area, which she also helps out in as she has a medical degree along with all her other qualification. In the infants area there is currently a 3 month old little girl, whom was left at birth in hospital by her 15 year old mother. This little girl named Marijana has been in the orphanage since 3 days old. The only life she knows. She was so cute and Emil just fell in love with her. When we explained to him that she has no mummy or daddy, he wanted to take her home. He bought tears to my eyes, if only it was that easy.

We stayed with Marica for a few hours before we decided to head off.

After visiting Marica, we go to Zagreb city for a look around town. It's already after 6pm and getting dark. We are fortunate to find a car park straight away and start our tour.

We start our visit with the Kaptol - The Cathedral of the Assumption of the blessed Virgin Mary, It is characterized by it's soaring twin towers, and is said to be the defining symbol of Zagreb. We couldn't go in as it was locked. Also currently under renovation it isn't looking it's best but definitely a must see next time.

Followed by this we walk down to the Trg Bana Jelacica - (Ban Jelacica Square), this is considered to be the central focus of the modern Zagreb, situated in the middle of the town. It has served as the city's commercial heart ever since 1641, when it was designated as a place where fairs could be held.

Followed by a walk under Kamenita Vrata - The Stone Gate, You enter the Upper Town through the Stone Gate. The only old town gate that has remained intact. Built in the Middle Ages, and it assumed its final form after being rebuilt in the 18th Century. Under the arch of the gateway is a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It holds a painting of the Virgin Mary that was miraculously saved from a devastating fire in 1731, and has been a pilgrimage ever since.

Following this we head to Trg Svetog Marka - St. Mark's Church, in the heart of the Upper town, the church was built in the 13th Century. The roof tiles are decorated with the coats of arms of the Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slovenia.

Followed by a visit to the statue of Marija Juric Zagorka - she was born into a wealthy family in 1873 - 1957, was very much considered to be a women ahead of her time, she become the first professional female journalist in Croatia and a champion of equal rights.

Followed by a walk through Tkalciceva - commonly known as Tkalca, this is considered as Zagreb's most colourful downtown street. This was initially a creek which was paved over at the end of the 19th century, creating a street that quickly became the animated centre of commercial activity and nightlife. Today people of all ages come to Tkalca for its small boutiques, traditional shops, restaurants and cafes.

Our sight seeing is over as it's starting to get dark and we still need to visit another family member tonight. A shame that our visit to Zagreb was so short, so much more to see. Definitely a few days is needed and this City is on the top of our list to do first next time back. So for now Zagreb we say fair well and not good-bye.

Back in the car and off to see Marjan's cousin - Stef. We have a 45 minute drive ahead of us. Stef is situated out in a little town called Dubrava. He is the local priest for this parish. He has been posted here for the past year. He will be celebrating his 1 year anniversary on the 9th September. His church is called Sv. Margarete - St. Margarete. We finally arrive and it is already 9pm, a little later than we anticipated. We are once again welcomed warmly with lots of hugs and kisses by Stef, again him being delighted to see us all. In we go to his home. Much bigger than we expected for someone living on their own. The house is spread over 2 levels. He gives us a quick tour of his home and then we go over to his church and get a private viewing of the church. The church is small, however very beautiful. Stef explains, with pride all the beautiful and delicate features of his church while we admire all the beauty it has to offer.

We go up stairs to where the organ is and are privileged to have Stef play some notes for us on the organ. Even allowing Emil to play a few notes with him, much to Emil's delight.

After our tour of the church back to the house we go, for a light snack. We all pull together, cutting up veggies, slicing cold cuts and making salads, everyone having there own little job. Even Emil contributing with peeling veggies and setting the table. We sit down together to share this meal.

First a quick pray and grace for the meal that we are about to eat. Followed by a quick toast to each other to many more gathering together. We have a lovely meal, with lots of conversation and a few laughs.

A lovely night had by all. Unfortunately it's time to leave. Its nearly midnight and we have a 7am flight back home tomorrow morning. We say our good-bye's and on our way we go, back to the hotel. Back just before 12.30am and straight to bed. We have an early start tomorrow, we must be up and out by 5.30am.

Up Emil and I get around 8.30am, just after Marjan has just come home and getting ready to go to bed. He sleeps for a couple of hours before he decides it's time to get up. We all relax for the morning before we go to visit Spomenka at work. She is a nurse and works at the local hospital. We have a quick coffee with her and then a small tour of the hospital.

After visiting Spomenka at work we go to Liljana's for lunch. Once again we are treated to a feast. Today we have a lovely BBQ lunch, very relaxing.

We sit around talking and shared our stories of out time at the beach. Emil and Andrija are playing outside and having lots of fun. They have just picked up from where they left off last time. The kids are having a ball and us adults are relaxing and enjoying each others company. Temperature outside is 30 degrees. A little on the warm side, but nice with a slight breeze. After lunch we go for a walk on their property. It is so pretty and very well kept.

Late afternoon, they take us to a new restaurant that has just opened up in Gornji Mihaljevec and is currently the place to be at. It's called Restoran Kneja and is out in the middle of nowhere. It's a beautiful building, all made from timber and has a really homely feel.

There are so many people everywhere that it's hard to find a table. We end up sitting inside and have a few drinks, while the kids have some hot chips. We stay for a while then head off.

Our next stop is the local cemetery in Cakovec. Here there are many grave sites to visit. Our first stop is for Marjan's uncle, whom past away 2 years ago,

followed then by his Grandmother (on his mother's side ) who passed away 5 years ago, 10 days after Emil was born.

After visiting these 2 graves we, then proceed to visit the graves of his grandparents on his dad's side.

We also have a walk around the cemetery just checking out all the old graves. It's starting to get late, so time to head off.

Back to Spomenka's we get. They are all waiting for us. We sit around and talk, once again sharing more stories about our time at the beach and reminiscing on stories about the wedding. We have many laughs and a good night together.