To have a good sleep all the morning long today isn't possible unfortunately. Actually I thought as the owner said "finish is at 9 o' clock" that she meant the night's rest. The opposite is the case. I already should go at 9 o'clock. I nevertheless take some time to have breakfast, eat some rancid chocolate on old roll pack my things. After I am 25 DM poorer, I get on the street again.
Today, the weather isn't as fine as yesterday. It is damp, the sky is covered with clouds and it begins to drizzle again and again. Therefore the way to the south isn't very thrillingly. The whole time I hold on the street in direction of Rijeka at the Adriatic Sea. I still have to master some curt increases and decreases and without spectacular incidents I am in Croatia. The Croatian custom officers at the border are not very friendly and give my passport no attention. It seems that they don't need to be disturbed in their conservation. Well, I'm in Croatia now...
Fast the streets become a little worse in Croatia. I recognize immediately that there are concrete blocks with steel bars between instead of crash barriers. In many places the steel bars are missing completely and it's deep next to the street. At the irascible traffic I have to take care that I don't turn out between two of these blocks. These blocks surely can't protect a cyclist from a free flight.

First view on the Adriatic Sea (Opatija)

Near to Rijeka I have my first view on the Adriatic Sea. At the bad sight today I unfortunately can't see very far. In Rijeka I go to exchange money and try to get out of the city as fast as possible. The traffic conditions in this town are like in Italian towns. Briefly said: A safety risk for body and life of a cyclist. Not announced tunnel, one-way streets, expressways...

Rijeka

After Rijeka must drive a big swerve around a sea bay and breathe in the bad air of the refineries, cars and shipyards at this time. Moreover a very strong wind is pulled up.
I decide to drive over a bridge between the island Krk and Mainland to escape from the heavy traffic. At the charges cottage cyclists are let through freely and so I can drive about the gigantic suspension bridge. At this moment I have a strong tail wind, as I have never experienced it. I don't have to kick into the pedals all the way up the bridge. Always when a car or truck passes me, wind becomes a lot of turbulences and develops such strengths, that I am already afraid I could fly over which into the sea. After this tricky crossing I must have a break at once. In this moment I notice a signpost welcomes me in this region. What's confusing enough: One and the same region is called a region of Croatia on the one hand and on the other hand it's called a region of Italy.

Where I am now?

This is absolutely confusing. There are much of such mad things on the Balkans at all. For example all residents of Istria (A region of Croatia) are allowed to get an Italian passport. It seems that Italy still want to cherish claims of his lost provinces. For me it's doubtful that Croatian politicians allow such things.

Now I have to change for an open camping site. After a long search I have cycled over a big part of the island. All camping sites that I have passed had closed. Even if many people wanted to help me, my search was unsuccessful for a long while.

Up, down... up, down... up,down...

Finally I am in the town Krk in the south of the island. After quite a number of decreases and increases on the wavy surface of the island I finally find an open camping site: The Autocamp BOR. Here I get a beautiful place under blossoming cherry trees. Finite! The vacation can start!