car rentals | Travels, Adventures, and Leisure

We left our hotel in Vodice around 10:30am and headed to Dubrovnik Airport (to drop off our rental car)

Really the only areas of interest along the way during the drive was the gas station stopped (to get some supplies, refuel, and throw things away), and crossing Bosnia. (Also the trip did affirm that Croatia’s highway system is pretty modern, but with a lot of tolls (the inner city roads however are a different story, since they are all small and tight).

Crossing Bosnia was really easy (we gave them our passport, and they didn’t even look at all 3 or scan them). It was a 9 minute drive to Bosnia, so super short. Going back to Croatia, they did check and scan all our passports.

After the border, it was about an hour till the airport. At the airport, when returning of our rental car to XL rental cars, we did have a bit of bad luck (guess because was Friday the 13th). There was two slight scratches on the hood of the car, which cost $400 USD (we really don’t know how they got there). Hopefully Chase Sapphire reserve will be able to cover it.

We then took an Uber to our AirBnb (what had crossed our minds is to take a ferry from a close city called Cavtat to Dubvrovnik, but decided against it since the port is far from the AirBnb).

We got to our Airbnb in 20 minutes, and then got some food at a place our host recommended called Belvedere. Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2021/08/15/belvedere/

After dinner, got to the AirBnb, and I actually booked a separate hotel (for logistical reasons). Booked Arch B&B (super close to the AirBnb), but they then moved my reservation to Studenski Dom (a really awesome new dorm). It was great, from the newness, to no mosquitos, to the free breakfast. The only thing I did have to do is ask them to allow me to have the AC be able to set at a lower temperature (lowest was initially locked to 28 degrees Celsius!).

I did ask the receptionist at the AirBnb what club he recommends to go to. He said Revelin. I looked it up, and I was convinced (they do bring in famous DJs like Tiesto, and the website said it was in a castle).

Revelin is in the old town (which makes sense since it’s on/in a castle). The Uber ride was 12 minutes. The DJ did not disappoint (some refreshing progressive house and deep house). Great way to end the night.

Stayed here for 2 nights, and 2 days (Friday to Sunday)

Started off from Vancouver, where I got a ride from Sam (who rented a all wheel drive BMW car). Ended up driving at 3pm, and got to Whistler at 6pm (it took us an extra hour since we stopped to get liquor at BC Liquor store, and some groceries).

The AirBNB was located at 7406 Ambassador cres (6575 doorcode), and it was a good dive for 14 people (haha just enough bathrooms that I never noticed waiting for one).

The night off, played a bunch of drinking games including don’t drink and drive MARIO cart, and an awesome game of rage cage and flip cup. For food, we ordered at a noodle place (there aren’t ok many food delivery options, but literally googling “Whistler Food delivery” showed you all the options. The other option would’ve been pizza).

The next morning, got up at 9am, but ended up arriving to the Village / Gondela area at 1pm. A ticket was $110 for 1 day (it’s more expensive if we weren’t with Dersu, who has a buddy pass).

The first mountain I started off was Hwistler, where there were practice bunny slopes. Then I went down the easiest route (which took a long time, but not because of me).

Then I went to Blackomb, where the easiest route there was actually easy.

See all the Whistler tips here: http://lessons.awesomenessoflife.com/2020/03/01/whistler-and-snowboarding/

At the bottom of the mountain is a restaurant called Longhorn (which reminds me of a Vegas day club based on atmosphere, music, quality of sound system, etc). As you come down the mountain, you can hear the music, which actually got me going.

After Whistler, we ate at Beacon: http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2020/03/03/beacon/

After Beacon, we chilled back at the AirBnb for a little while, then headed to a restaurant called Araxi: http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2020/03/03/araxi/

After Aroxy, we tried one club called Tommy’s. That place was literally complete trash (bouncer lied and said there were 100 ppl when there were only 30, and I did not like the music). We then tried a place called Moe Joe’s, which was infinitely better. Music was a mix of top 40 and after hours, and people there were better lol.

Next day, explored other parts of the village (including the south part), plus found the Olympic Rings and took pictures! The rest of the time up in Whistler was eating at a restaurant called Caramba (http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2020/03/03/beacon/), and then chilled at Longhorn (which I wish we chilled at a bit more soon as the DJ was great, although drinks were a bit pricey – $20 for an old fashion).

Drive back down from Whistler at 3pm, and arrived at the airport at 6pm.