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Post by 2old2boogie on Jul 26, 2007 21:02:42 GMT
Anyone done Croatia? I plan to take the Fazer to Dubrovnik this summer. Camping all the way. Wondered if anybody had any experience of the trip.
Jim
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Post by ContourMac on Jul 27, 2007 8:09:05 GMT
Holidayed near Split in the late 80's when it was Yugoslavia. Beautiful area, make sure you visit Kika waterfalls and Trogir.
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Post by kabulcalling on Aug 6, 2007 6:05:32 GMT
The Croatian sea front is a thing of wonder, and the HR government has very kindly built a road all down the coast. It is very twisty and each new corner reveals a stunning new vista of azure blue water lapping up against villages clinging to the steep hills as the sun warms their terracotta roof tiles. It is also bloody dangerous, as people drive and overtake very aggressively. I used to drive and ride it on a regular basis throughout the 90s. I was first on scene for two Road Traffic Accidents and had one colleague killed on that road. However, if you know the dangers, you can protect against them, and given the chance, I would ride to coast road from top to bottom tomorrow – well, maybe over the next week. Plan for only 150-200 miles tops per day - you have to allow time to stop and enjoy the view. Viewing from the saddle or behind the steering wheel is part of the danger of the road. If time and finances allow, at Neum on the Croatian coast, turn in-land towards Sarajevo and ride past Mostar, up the Neretva river valley – stop in Jablanica for a roast lamb lunch. Overnight in Sarajevo, then ride through Pale to Visagrad along the Drina River. Both are jaw-drop fantastic rides. Riding in Croatia and BiH – highly recommended. RMJ
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Post by 2old2boogie on Aug 6, 2007 14:43:09 GMT
Thanks for that KC. Sounds like a trip worthy doing. Its not 100% that I will be doing the trip now. I bought 'The Rough Guide-Croatia' and that helped put me off more than anything. Strange language, all consonants and very little vowels make a guess at pronunciatian almost inpossible! I do like to get a smattering of the local language when visiting abroad, but Croatian appears almost impossible tp pronounce! I think my old dads method of shouting and adding an O to the end of each word would not get you far here!
But you make it sound worthwhile, I'll take another look at it!
CC
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Post by kabulcalling on Aug 7, 2007 13:18:55 GMT
Dobro Dan - Good Day
Dob, as in Dob in a mate when you are in trouble at school Bro, as in short form of Brother Dan, as in the short version of Daniel
Hvala - Thank you
H, as in the noise you make to steam up a mirror to polish it Val - as in transVAL in Africa a - the short hard version of "A", not an "ah".
In Croatian - or Hrvatski as they call it, each letter has the same voice as it has a name. In English "G" (gee) can have a voice of "Gugh" depending on the context. Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian all have the same name and voice for each letter. It makes pronunciation much easier once you know the code. Oh, "R" can be treated like a vowel, as in Crv – blood - and an accented “C” is the same as our "Ch", as in the end of Church.
If you can afford the time and the cost of going down, it is well worth it. As soon as I get enough time off work, I will be returning. If you can, leave it until mid September or after, as that is the end of their official holiday season, as finding accommodation becomes a lot easier, and cheaper, but it can snow in the mountains of Bosnia as early as the first week in October.
Let me know if you need any help route planning etc.
Yours, RMJ
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Post by kabulcalling on Aug 7, 2007 13:21:26 GMT
Double Post - oopse. Sorry, forgot to say, due to the strong migrant work culture over the last 40 years, with people from the former Yugoslavia and now their seperate coutries working in Gernamy, Austria and Switzerland, if you speak a smattering of German, anyone over 30 will understand. If that does not work, all the kids speak excellent english - it is the principal second language in the schools. RMJ
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Post by 2old2boogie on Aug 7, 2007 13:50:59 GMT
"if you speak a smattering of German anyone over 30 will understand"
That may have rescued the trip. I spent some time in Germany during my Army service and my German is quite reasonable. So you have revived my interest in the trip.
I intend to camp so I would need some of the language. But if I can get by with German and sign language then I'd give it a go. I have heard that the trip is worthwhile, as you have said.
I'll keep you posted. Hvala!
CC
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Post by kabulcalling on Aug 22, 2007 8:02:15 GMT
I have a friend working in Tourism in Bosnia. Do you want me to put you in contact? RMJ
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ewano
CBT Hero
Ignore me - I crave white chocolate and attention...
Posts: 48
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Post by ewano on Aug 23, 2007 21:33:14 GMT
Er, just out of interest, what have you done about insurance for Croatia? Last time I checked my insurance from Carole Nash, it didn't cover non EU countries. Are you just buying cover as you enter the countries you visit?
I'm about to head off down the black sea coast - opposite side of the same land channel.
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ewano
CBT Hero
Ignore me - I crave white chocolate and attention...
Posts: 48
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Post by ewano on Aug 25, 2007 10:01:17 GMT
Get off your ass and get it sorted! You're as old as you feel, so don't sit in that rocking chair unless you know you are getting back out of it.
Ewano - a 60 year old trapped in a 19 year old's mind trapped in a 31 year old body - that feels like a 40 year old one. Get that fscking rocking chair away from me..
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Post by kabulcalling on Aug 26, 2007 11:58:18 GMT
Green cards are available at most major border crossing. This will give you third party only cover. You will also pay through the nose, but there is an element of flexibility. if you plan on spending more than a day or three, you could find a local agent who will give sell you a higher level of cover, but you have to question if they will actually pay out. On health/medical insurance - get cover for Europe (including the meditarian countries) Croatia has the Ardiatic coast, and Bosni has about 3 miles of med coast, so it qualifies. Only just, but it does qualify. Just make sure that health/med cover covers you for biking. RMJ
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Post by 2old2boogie on Sept 26, 2007 13:28:38 GMT
KC - Thanks for the advice. I now intend to do this trip next May. There is some interest in another Bikers Forum that I am a member of, some members have shown an interest. So it is still a goer, but in the early planning stage. Dates and route being planned.
When it gets to the 'arrange paperwork' stage I'll PM you again if you do'nt mind.
Cheers
Jim
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Post by 2old2boogie on Oct 9, 2007 14:05:10 GMT
On the subject of Bike Insurance extending to Croatia. I am insured with Devitt DA, have been for the last 11 years. They cover me for Europe, including:
a) Any member country of the European Union.
b) Croatia, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland.
And a Bail Bond for Spain to up to £2000.
So there!
;D
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Post by max900 on Oct 9, 2007 20:25:24 GMT
On the subject of Bike Insurance extending to Croatia. I am insured with Devitt DA, have been for the last 11 years. They cover me for Europe, including: a) Any member country of the European Union. b) Croatia, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland. And a Bail Bond for Spain to up to £2000. So there! ;D im with Carol Nash and there Fully Comp policy covers me for the same stuff except i think the bail bond is 5 or 10K and for a little extra im get cover for russia ;D
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Post by motomeg on Feb 18, 2008 11:15:25 GMT
Took my Divvy 900 to Croatia for a long day out whilst touring in Italy. I thought it was wonderful and when I went a couple of years ago was much cheaper than Italy. Definately worth a trip. Superb country and the roads were good too.
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