Journey to myself

I woke up early in the morning, after a cosy night on a bed of pines, at the south end of Kamenjak. I packed my bags and moved with my bike to the seaside for breakfast. Afterwards I went on a mission – the mission was to find my cycling top, which I lost somewhere on the way, in the national park. Luckily my phone is recording the location of photos I am taking, hence I could see where I was last in its possession. I cycled close to the position and started jogging from there, since cycling those tracks would take much longer. I ran to the location – and there it was, hanging on a tree, waiting for me. I let out a sigh and thanked the universe. I recalled the last time, I lost and also recovered it – the streets of Basel. Hopefully this will be the last time.

Next to my bike was a pristine little beach, which was crowded last night, but now deserted. I took off my clothes and “washed my head” – cleared my head in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Curious fish surrounded me. My mind was positive. I was looking at my surroundings taking it all in, being presented – feeling the cold of the water, looking at the green of the pines,the rising sun – I was grateful for this journey.

Following the swim I got back on the bike ready to leave this mesmerising place behind. Kamenjak sent me off with more demanding cycle paths and awe-inspiring views.

The route led me on paved roads to a narrow pedestrian bridge, which was surrounded by water. The bridge was that narrow, that cycling across it could have meant losing balance and falling into the water, since there was no barrier either. I tried a few times to find my balance, as I was eager to cycle across, however I didn’t want to risk, for all my gear ending up in the water. So I pushed the bike over with one foot on the pedal.

After a while I found myself again, cycling difficult gravel paths. All practice for the countries further south, I thought. Then it appeared that I missed a turn – I went back to the point, where the path was supposed to turn – I looked at it and found a tiny Trampelpfad (a tiny beaten path). This tiny path carried on for a while and I was bushbashing with my bike, through the thick forests of Croatia. An abundance of mushrooms were growing and I wished I would know the edible ones.

Soon I was climbing mountains again. It felt good to be proactive after yesterday‘s feelings of restlessness. Slowly and steady, was I climbing up those mountains, while cars were passing. Then a truck overtook me, while there was an oncoming car in the other lane. I could feel the truck so close to me, that I was scared to breath and knew I need to keep the handle bar really still to not lose my balance. When the truck had passed, I stopped in shock, as well as the oncoming car – with hand signals we both showed our disbelief, for the inconsiderate behaviour of the truck driver.

I shook the incident off and carried on cycling. I was getting closer and closer to my goal for the day – Brestova. After the ascend, it was on cycling down those mountains again, down on an uneven rocky gravel path. Bit by bit I fought myself down – my wrists aching. While I was descending, I looked at a road up the mountains and thought to myself – could be worse, I could be up there – the next second I thought – or perhaps this is where I need to go? I was laughing.

After a while, I realised it was indeed where I needed to go. A steep incline was leading up to a village on a mountain – Plomin. Metre by metre I was fighting myself up. When after one of the micro breaks, my whole body weight couldn’t move down the pedal, I needed to give in and push the bike for a bit. Just yesterday, one of the Slovakian guys lifted my bike up and thought it might be around 40kilos.

When I finally arrived in Plomin, I was speechless and laughed out loud. The view was absolutely spectacular. I looked back down on were I came from. Plomin wasn’t only overlooking the valley and mountains, but was also towering above an opening to the Mediterranean Sea. What a day, I thought and all the dark clouds from yesterday were forgotten.

I carried on to another panorama platform, where I met a couple. I asked them to take a photo of me and we chatted about my journey. Kira and Tobi, a couple from Hamburg, who are heading to the island Cres for holidays. Kira invited me to stay in their house, when I mentioned, I’m going to Cres too. She also asked me which ferry I’m taking tonight, which planted the seed in my head, to not only arrive in Brestova today, but to go even further and take the ferry to Cres tonight, instead of tomorrow morning. I was eager to get to the ferry and was flying down the hill to the ferry wharf. Here it turnt out, the departure will be at 6:30pm, not at 6pm. This made things more difficult as the sun was setting at 6:45 and I had no place to sleep yet. However, I didn’t let myself worry by this fact, as I was feeling exhilarated by this day and I thought that the universe wants me to reach Cres today.

At the ferry wharf I did not only meet Kira and Tobi again, but also two elderly siblings, that were on a holiday together. Erika and her brother were so lovely, we chatted about my journey, took selfies and laughed.

When I went on the ferry I had goosebumps and couldn’t stop smiling. The light of the setting sun kissed the sea and the island and turnt it into something otherworldly. In disbelief of this day and its events – my sweat, my fears, my laughs and almost cries – I was standing on this ferry astounded and speechless.

Arriving at the island Cres, I said my farwells to all the lovely people I met. As it was already getting dark, I knew I needed to find a campsite close to the wharf. I was lucky to find a forest to the left side of the wharf, that would give me shelter for the night. I drank my beer and felt incredibly exhausted. with heavy eyes, I cooked some pasta with garlic and rosemary, before retreating in the tent.While I was in the tent, I could hear steps – listening closer to it, I knew it must be an animal. Deers, I was guessing. Then suddenly I could hear an animal crying out. First it sounded haunting, then I realised it was a donkey and it’s call got echoed by the Mediterranean Sea and the night – when my initial fear was gone, it was actually wonderful. This happened a few times during the night – When I think of Cres, I thought, I will always think, of a donkeys call through the night.

So long – haide ciao from Cres!

Photos will be, as always updated with wifi – apologies I haven’t had any for a few days! Xo from Cres!