On the way to Slovenia

After the visit to our friends Luca and Dany in Italy and following the advices of Luca’s sister we went to « La Pietra de Bismantova, an impressive place for climbing between Modena, Parma and Bologna. As it was very cold this day (it was even snowing!!), we changed the climbing plan for a beautiful walk near the walls.We couldn’t leave Parma without visiting « feria de gastronomia » de Parma where we could taste some of the specialities of different regions in Italy...rico rico!! ;-)

We wanted so much to see Croatia that we finally decided to let behind Italy and pass throught Slovenia, (where we will be in some hours for a climbing camp with our friends from « team extreme »), to finally arrive in Croatia...what a beauuuutifuuullll country!!

We have spent one week in Istria, closest croatien area to Italy. Lots of forests, nice climbing spots, tartufo, cheese and other local products, and the beauty of the clear blue sea...an authentic paradise, specially now that it is not as crowded as it is suppossed to be in summer time.

In Istria we visited Rovinj, a nice little town on the seaside with a wall where you can climb and chill out looking at the sea after climbing. At this place we met a nice Austrian couple, Martin and Karina. We had a great dinner time in the van with them.

After Rovinj we went to another climbing area located in a place called Limski Kanal. The days to leave Croatia were approching and we were a little bit sad because we had not met yet croatian people ...but....at this moment... we met Biba, Goga and Sandra, three sportive girls climbing just next to us! They were really nice and after some minutes talking they proposed us to visit them in Pula, in the South of Istria and go climbing with them in their area. Of course, we went!! ;-)

The plan the next day was even better because they organized for us a mountain bike tour by the coast after climbing to show us the most beautiful places near their hometown....ay ay ay..! :-) Together with Biba, Sandra and Goga, we met their friends Marko, Luka and Neno who came with us also for this biking tour. We even had a short refreshing swimmg in the sea. We enjoyed a lot and learned so much this day...for exemple, that is not good to eat peanuts before cycling in Croatia, specially if you don't carry with you enough water, ...and much more..We had a great time with them !!