Day 32: Zadar to Šibenik, August 2nd.

Up at 8, off at 9. I almost got away without paying, but the woman questioned me as I went out the door. At least it saved my conscience. After a Lidl detour (get it?), I went to the port and caught the ferry over to Ugljan where the E8 runs along the coast of the island and up into its low hills. The cycling here was easy and beautiful. I listened to low level music and thought. It was odd to see the water to my left for once, but the beaches were good vibes. Around 11:30 I stopped at a spot full of cactus and palm trees, all to myself. 

I snacked, went for a swim and read a little. It was lovely, though it did delay me catching an earlier ferry. Shortly after I crossed a bridge to another island, hugged the coast and found myself at a very low-key ferry port. I got a beer and wrote this. I hope to see Ben in Split tomorrow. The Hostelworld chat is popping off, and it’s tempting to stay for 2 nights/ Do I have time?

***

I got the ferry back over. The rest of the ride was much as before. I cycled a long way along dirt paths through miles of jumbled rock walls and sea views. At one point on one of these paths I was continuously hit in the neck by huge leaping or flying bugs. Grasshoppers? The cicada noise grows louder every day. Around 6:30 I arrived at Šibenik. It’s super cool. Everything seems stacked atop one another. I’ve checked into my hostel. It seems sociable. I met a German and a Californian, but neither were up for going out for food. Maybe I’ll meet someone. Maybe not. I guess we’ll see.

***

The Californian changed his mind. We went to a local place the hostel owner recommended and both got a really good beef stew with gnocchi. It tasted a little like the one mum makes, with 2 huge slabs of beef. After that we returned to the hostel. I spent the evening chilling in the courtyard with some of the other guests. There was a Czech girl there who kept calling me Vincent Van Gogh. It was a relaxing night.

Video of this day