Another border crossing into Croatia while we made our way down the peninsular of Istria.  The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Kvarner Gulf.   It’s shared by three countries – Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy.

We were heading to Pula, the largest city on the peninsular located on the southern tip.

The Port City of Pula has a huge protected harbor, ideal for ship building, and a beach lined coast.  It also showcases Roman ruins (oh, those wayward Romans!).  Settled in the prehistoric era and valued for its strategic location, Pula has been occupied, destroyed and rebuilt numerous times not only by the Romans, but by the Venetians and the Allied Forces in World War II.

Despite all those changes over the centuries, it has a solid feel and the locals are proud and friendly.

The Pula Arena, is one of the best preserved Roman ampitheaters in the area which was constructed in 27 BC.  The architecture is awe inspiring – how on earth did they build structures like that?

Strolling around the seating gives you a sense of what it was like when full of Romans, and when we walked through the centre of the arena it actually gave us chills as we imagined being a gladiator – the excitement, the crowds, the noise (a little like a modern day football game) but we could equally imagine the fear.  The underground rooms have been well preserved.  Very eerie.

Today it’s used for concerts and sporting events.

Pula was our first experience of Croatian food and we were looking forward to it!

We stayed at the Hotel Amfiteatar, just down the road from the Pula Arena, checking in just in time for a late lunch at the hotel restaurant.  The Chef was amazing, emerging from the kitchen to talk to us about Croatian food and spoiling us with tasty little plates that were his specialty.  What started out as a planned light snack, soon progressed into a larger meal.  Oh dear, lots of walking to be done that afternoon.

It was a seafood theme and our first foray into Croatian food was not disappointing.

White Anchovies on Homemade Bread (which were a little like scones made in Australia).

Tuna Cappacio with Mustard

Scampi and Octopus Skewers on Chard & Potato

A late dinner after walking, walking and more walking, choosing a restaurant near the water, where we were delighted that our waitress had been to Australia.  We kept the seafood theme going with a fresh Seafood Salad and Spaghetti with Seafood.

Pleasantly surprised by the quality of the house wines served in 1/2 and full litre jugs.  Big smiles from us!

Sadly, only one night in this southern Istrian city.

Jeff and Catherine x