Split

I feel like I,m in another world.  Here is wonderful Roman architecture mixed in with graffiti sprayed walls.   Cool and trendy clubbers mixed in with remnants of D list stars of Howard,s Way and young families alongside old, drunk beggers. Yes, a city full of polar opposites.
Mostly though this city feels cool and trendy and very proud of itself.  Almost like it takes itself too seriously. I dont think I have heard any spontaneous laughter since I have been in Split. Even the young are very self possessed.  I,ve been walking high up above Split this evening in a park and all the young people resembled sporting gods!   Croatians are so tall and athletic looking.  Like they are all in training for Wimbledon. ( All similar to Ivan Ivanisivic. )  Not tall and big, just tall and fit (and look like they could run 100 metres in 8 seconds.)
 I didnt have my camera with me this evening so here are some photos from my phone from when I wandered up above the city of Split.

 My evening view as I had a beer.

 Diocleatean,s tower glowing  rather like Oxford does at sunset.

I didnt have my camera because I have been to the beach this afternoon and evening and I just didnt want anything to be nicked whilst I was in the sea.  I found a sandy bay nearby for my afternoon lounge but the bloody weather decided to turn cloudy just for the time I was there.  Oh well I got a swim in amongst the uber cool sporting youths!!

This morning I booked a ticket to the Island of Šholta.  Its under an hour away, which suits me fine and is not really on the tourist scene because there is nothing to do.  Which suits me fine too.  Going to the Lakes is just too stressful and a long journey which I dont want to do so this short day trip to an Island where no one goes because it is boring sounds absolutely perfect for me!   Lets wait and see.

I will just have to come back again to visit these other Islands  and also to visit Rejhana.  She told me I would plan to come back after this visit and Rejhana, you are correct.   (As long as I can visit Saraevo again too!)

Split is interesting though because the port and bus station are in such a prime position in the city.You can watch all the passengers queue to get on the boats to Ancona.  I have never been to such an easily acccessible port before. Its pretty exciting because I love ports. I didnt have my camera with me this afternoon when the Ancona crowd were embarking but I did  this morning when I wandered around the amazing Diocletian palace.

 Shops and houses are integrated into the layout of Diocletians,s summer retreat which he built in Split in the 2nd century.. Obviously it has been rebuilt over the years but lots of it retain its original design and charm.

I just caught Diocletian before he went off for a cigarette  break

The original statue of Jupiter in the temple. Obviously Christians through the years have had to add their bits of symbolism too.

 Jupiter looking tall and athletic. Was he modelled on the locals?

 Ticket seller for the temple of Jupiter right next to a 2,500 year old Sphinx from Egypt.  The sphinx had its head cut off by the early Christians who didnt like the idea of idol worship of objects.  All sounds a bit similar to the Taliban now.

These cellars are the most untouched part of the palace.  They had a real sense of calm about them almost like a church or mosque but without the religious stuff around you.  I suppose that feeling came because you were in just such an historically loaded place.   The roofs are all original and totally amazing.

 Mr.  Diocletian himself.

  

There was an art exhibition in part of the cellars.  I liked it so I took some photos.

Great photo, great concept.  

If this were true though the sporty looking Croation Catholics would whip our arses!

 Puts the star sign of Libra in a different light. Dont know what s-he is  trying to say but I can guess...

Simple but  effective.

Simple but effective.

Location of  the art exhibition.

Here is some funky art in a cafe which I liked.

This is the wonderful market this morning.  It had no end of stuff.  I bought the best nectarines.

Shopping in Split is a bit of a disaster for me.  As you all know I love to shop.  But I am specific and Split does not fulfil my needs...yet!  (Apart from food.) Here everything is either pure TAT or high end labels.  Two extremes with the same outcome...Jane keeps her money in her pocket to spend elsewhere.

Me this morning touching the shiny toe of some rather scary looking guy.  He,s been dead for centuries now but do you really think he would be happy with such a scary and monsterous depiction of himself hanging over his city?  This guy fought for the right for the Croatian language to be used  in religious services. A man of the people.   I  dont know whether he would like this rather bullish depiction of himself.

  Touching his toe though does mean you will come back to Split.   Drinking from the wells in Sarajevo also means you will return.  I will return, that,s for sure.