Take Me Back!!!!!!!!!

Wow. 

I am speechless after my few days in Split, Croatia.

Before that though, here are those camera pictures from Florence and Cinque Terre!

My amazing trip started off a little bumpy.

I took a ferry from Ancona, Italy to Split, Croatia.

This is an 11 hour ferry ride overnight.

Since I am an unpaid intern without loads of cash, I decided to buy the deck tickets.

Deck tickets basically mean find whatever spot you can and sleep there.

Before departing, I realized what this was going to mean for my night ahead and this picture perfectly sums up my feelings.

 The view leaving Ancona was perfect and that made up for it a tad.

 After waking up at least once an hour, I finally looked out and saw what was awaiting me.

The most beautiful sight in the world, Split!

I spent my first day at the beach and exploring parts of the town.

There was so much to take in, that I didn't take too many pictures. 

Please forgive me! I was enjoying the moment!

One of the best parts of my trip was the hostel I stayed at.

It was so much fun with so many foreign people!

In this picture, there are four nationalities and many more came in and out during my stay there.

We would stay up late discussing our different cultures while taking turns playing music.

It was really cool to hear about everyone's stories and listen to the music that they love.

Also, the hostel owner's mother-in-law cooks the most delicious breakfast for just 3 euro!

My second day, I took a day trip to Bol on the island Brac. 

This beach is one of the prettiest in the world, for obvious reasons!

The combination of the clear water and mountains were so breathtaking!

I enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant where I was greeted by a cat that sat there the whole time I ate, begging for scraps.

The owner offered her to me, but I told him my dad wouldn't be too pleased.

Here's the man himself, Josko. 

He was the hostel owner and the most gracious host I've ever met.

His father-in-law makes a local spirit, rakia, that is lovingly termed "Grandpa Juice" in this hostel.

He puts it in a glass skull because apparently it's deadly.

Selfies on a giant instant camera never turn out quite as planned, but these people made my trip so amazing!!!

One of my hostel mates invited me to go take a walking tour of Diocletian's Palace that morning and I was so happy I joined him on this impromptu tour!

Later, I found Split's version of a little cat sanctuary, aka a place where cats just chill.

Then came my most anticipated moment of this trip.

KAYAKING!!!!

Our guide was incredible and so knowledgable about Croatia.

He has the dream job!

He says that even when he doesn't work, he's out kayaking every morning.

After being on the water, I can see exactly why he does.

That night a group of people from my hostel went to the local soccer game!

It was everything I had imagined and more.

There were so many flares thrown in the football club area and onto the track where firefighters quickly put them out.

So. Cool.

I don't quite know how to explain this picture.

Josko's friend took the picture for us and decided he wanted to get more chairs in the shot then people?

Then there's the mystery of Caroline, the British girl in the light up jacket.

Oh well, photos like this make the best memories!

The next morning, I got up at 5:20 and chased the sunrise to the top of the viewpoint.

Literally chased, because I could already see the beautiful colors!!!!

I finally made it to the top and was so happy I made the early morning trek.

Next up was a day trip with my hostel buddies, of course, to the Plitvice Lakes.

I'll let the pictures do the talking, but keep in mind, pictures NEVER do any justice to the actual beauty of a place. 

That became so evident to me this week.

 After those amazing views, we stopped at a well-known restaurant for some lunch!

Josko told us that this restaurant had bears as pets, so when we walked in, I thought this is what he meant...

Boy, was I wrong.

Shortly after lunch, he took us outside to meet the brother bears who had been rescued as cubs.

We brought them some fruit and they did tricks for us to receive the fruit.

They were so cute!!

After, we headed to the fortress that is used in the filming of Game of Thrones.

I keep going to these filming locations knowing nothing about the actual film/tv show.

It did offer a beautiful view of all of Split. 

There was also a tiny chapel on the very top!

I think the title of this post says it all, I didn't want to leave once I was dropped off at the port to catch my ferry back.

I would've done anything to stay another day or the rest of my life.

I am itching to get back and enjoy the beauty of Croatia soon again.

I hope everyone's week was as beautiful as mine!

Ciao!