Plitvice Lakes Day 11

Posted on August 11, 2021 by jmatie22

Started the day by checking out of our mobile apartment at The Garden Resort, and then caught an Uber (after multiple attempts). The cost was 600 Kuna, so not terrible. Next time I would either have the front desk reserve a taxi, or go to Tisnotaxi.com and reserve it there (price is about the same as an Uber).

After getting to Zadar, we ate lunch at a place called Eat Me (it took a while to find a restaurant. Most of the “eating” places we found were cafes that only served drinks. Details about the restaurant can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2021/08/11/eat-me/

After eating, we went to the west part of Zadar to check out the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation. The Sea Organ sounded interesting (ie. notes were a bit random), and the Sun Salutation is supposed to be over Ed during sunset or sunrise.

We also passed by St Anastasia’s Cathedral, which looked in a bit of rough shape since it was bombed in World War II.

We then picked up our rental car from XL rent a car (found through Priceline). Cost of the rental car is $550.

It took about 2 hours to get to Plitvice Lakes. Gotta say the road infrastructure all seems very modern (like the tunnels, which unfortunately I didn’t take a pic).

We had a bit of trouble finding our AirBnB at first (first time Google Maps failed us in this trip… but still wayyy better than Apple Maps in Croatia).

For dinner, since the line up was long at a restaurant we wanted to check out, we went to a local grocery store called Market Ivka and bought ingredients for wraps (salami, ham, prosciutto, wrap bread, Mayo, and lettuce).

Also did laundry in the evening. The wash cycle is pretty king (it’s 2 hrs!). The dryer “Gentle Care” setting is 50 minutes, but unfortunately didn’t fully dry my clothes.

Croatia – Tisno Day 9 (Defected Day 5)

Posted on August 10, 2021 by jmatie22

Started off the day by getting brunch at Carmen’s (yea, it’s a great restaurant). Apparently the dog at the restaurant is not Carmen (its actually named after the grandmother, Carmella). Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2021/08/09/loca-villa/

After, made our way back to our tent. We talked to the guys in charge of the tent and mobile apartments, and they said they had a mobile apartment available for the last two days of the festival for 200 euros. We obviously took it (and yea, it was fully air conditioned :)).

We then headed to the beach behind the beach stage. Didn’t get into the water, but thought it was chill (although didn’t really dig the set).

After, took a nap in our new mobile apartment (which they called it a “hostel style” sleeping arrangement).

After, chilled in the patio of our apartment, drinking wine, and ate dinner (got the Smokey burger again). We also met up with our American friends, and took some poloroid photos.

Around 9pm, headed to the beach stage and checked out Lovebirds. Totally digged his set and songs he produced (it’s like a deeper disco sound).

After, headed to the main stage and saw Carl Craig, Honey Dijon and Luke Solomon. Really liked Carl Craig (he played a good range of house music, except progressive. He played deep house, disco house, tech house, and some techno). Didn’t really enjoy Honey Dijon. For Luke Solomon, mainly a techno set, which I also enjoyed.

Croatia – Tisno Day 7 (Defected Day 3)

Posted on August 9, 2021 by jmatie22

Started the day grabbing brunch at the on-site restaurant in the Garden Resort. Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2021/08/08/wabi-sabi/

After brunch, chilled at the beach near the beach stage for like 15 minutes (got a Pina colada to go with this, but would not recommend getting it again. It had Pineapple juice in it, but no hint of coconut). We then checked out the Tisno bridge, and grabbed a late lunch at a place called Hotel Brovonik. Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2021/08/08/hotel-borovnik/

After, went to our first boat party. On the boat, really enjoyed Rimarkable and Offaiah. The boat party lasted 3 hours.

After the bot, took a power nap, then ate chicken curry from the on-site food venue.

For sets, saw Purple disco machine and Bob Sinclair. By far the two best sets (and really wished we were ____).