Rainy Days - Motovun to Porec to Rovinj

​We left our lodging in Motovun to begin our ride to Porec on the coast.  Looking back at Motovun. 



The rain began immediately.  As a result not too many pictures were taken on this day by any of us.  Nonetheless it was lovely rural landscape most of the day. Lots of vineyards, farms and tiny stone hamlets.  These memories are only in our heads now as cameras, rain and cold wet fingers are a bad combination.  

We did stop in a small town at a bar to get something hot to drink.  Despite our best efforts to not make a mess, we unfortunately left pools of water on the floor and seats. We apologized to the bar keep upon exiting.  Hopefully he understood our need!

The weather did improve by days end when we reached Porec. Here is our little studio apartment in the old town. Diane and Al were a short way at a different place. 


The sun even made an appearance for our evening exploration and we enjoyed a nice dinner in a restaurant recommended by our gracious Australian host. 



The next morning our destination is Rovinj which is another seaside port city.  Again rain begins almost immediately and todays mileage was twice as much as the day before but we are suited up and ready 

Once again a hard day to take pictures but we did get a few. Once again some stunning little stone villages. Lots of rock walled fields, vineyards and orchards.  We passed the town of Mrgani which legend says Captain Morgan’s treasure is buried.  I think we passed the monument to this but we were heads down in the rain. 


We came upon the ruins of a medieval village Dvigrad which translates to twin city or two castles. It has been abandoned for hundreds of years.  


I looked up the history later and it was a substantial town that suffered attacks by all the neighbors. Ottomans, Goths you name them they all were there.  The Venetians attacked them in the 1300’s and killed everyone.  Town came back to life somewhat only to suffer more insults. Then plague in the 1500’s followed by malaria.  There were only a few inhabitants in the 1800’s and then the town officially died.  


Dang, the Middle Ages were tough. 

Down the road a piece there was a lovely church and graveyard. 

 

The day continues with steady rain and light winds which fortunately were mostly at our backs. We did pass through more towns of note but by now everyone was getting a bit chilled and it became harder and harder to motivate to get the camera out and wet gloves off to take a picture!


We had to manage a final very busy road into the city with heavy rain and Al got something in his eye which slowed him down a bit.  We then had some challenges finding Al and Diane’s Bnb and did some circling around before we finally found it.  

Jim and I headed to the historic center to check into our bnb and had to stand awhile in the rain before we could check in. By this time I was soaked to the skin and starting to get really cold.  Finally in the door and quickly into a hot shower and life is good. 

The reward to our minor tribulations is Rovinj. I think my favorite Croatian town so far.  What a beauty.  Once again the sun came out for our evening exploration and meal on the seaside. 





Jim at our apartment doorway. 




A little pain always makes the reward sweeter!

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