Lost in Translation

Going back in time

Some of you have probably noticed that I picked Monday as my virtual travel day to mitigate the dreadful effects of going back to work. Today I am taking you to Istria – Croatia, to a journey that happened 11 years ago.

This was my first and most memorable encounter with Istria. One of Croatia’s most beautiful regions is a peninsula situated at less than half hour drive from Italy. The architecture, street signs in Italian, cuisine, culture, everything there reminds of Italy which makes Istria my favourite part of the country next to Dubrovnik where I grew up.

The gallery is made of technically lacking photographs, but they have a sentimental value for me, and I thought it would be interesting to show you some bits and pieces of my country.

Listen to Croatian pianist Maksim Mrvica playing Croatian Rhapsody for you.

 

A church tower at Buje, Istria
A house at Groznjan
Groznjan
Hum, the smallest town in the world with a population of 17 souls
Istarske Toplice
A view from Groznjan
Groznjan

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60 responses to “Going back in time”

  1. Madhu Avatar
    Madhu

    Looks enchanting Paula! The fabulous Raphsody, doubled my enjoyment! Thank you 🙂

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  2. mooonalila Avatar
    mooonalila

    Tes photos m’emmènent dans un merveilleux voyage, et la musique le rend encore plus magique !
    Ça me donne envie d’en voir plus… 🙂

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    1. Paula Avatar
      Paula

      OK, je te promet de publier plus de photos de cette region 🙂

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      1. mooonalila Avatar
        mooonalila

        Yesssss ! 😀

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  3. greenmackenzie Avatar
    greenmackenzie

    What a beautiful looking place, and atmosphere which came with music was wonderful. I feel transported, thank you 🙂

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    1. Paula Avatar
      Paula

      🙂 you are welcome Seonaid 🙂

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  4. Lignum Draco Avatar
    Lignum Draco

    I’ve never been there but it does look scenic. The buildings have a lot of charm and character. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Eddie Two Hawks Avatar
    Eddie Two Hawks

    Looks like a most enchanting place; great photos!

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  6. alexraphael Avatar
    alexraphael

    The nearest I’ve been is Mexico. What a lovely looking place. Great photos 🙂

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  7. lemonissimo Avatar
    lemonissimo

    It’s always a pleasure reading your blog!

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  8. Phil Lanoue Avatar
    Phil Lanoue

    Wow! Sure looks like a lot of history there Paula. Excellent!

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  9. NW Frame of Mind Avatar
    NW Frame of Mind

    Beautiful photos Paula, I feel like I spent a few minutes walking around with you. 🙂

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  10. elleturner4 Avatar
    elleturner4

    Lovely photos-I’d like to visit Croatia 🙂

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  11. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    Thank you for the wonderful tour of Istria, Paula! I can see why you the place is so special for you. Great music!

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  12. giselzitrone Avatar
    giselzitrone

    Wünsche eine gute und schöne Woche liebe Grüße Gislinde

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  13. restlessjo Avatar
    restlessjo

    Tired but present at last, Paula. Have spent an enchanting day with my daughter at a historic house in Derbyshire.
    I’m only familiar with the coastal strip of Istria so it’s nice to see some of the simpler places inland. It looks beautiful and Istarske Toplice is impressive. I’d like to see more. 🙂

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    1. Paula Avatar
      Paula

      Thanks Jo. I’m tired too, but from all the overtime work.I am doing second week in a row. Will pay you a visit when I get a chance.

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      1. restlessjo Avatar
        restlessjo

        Presumably part of the run up to Christmas and will end soon? Hope so 🙂 Have a hug meantime.

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        1. Paula Avatar
          Paula

          No, it is not cause of Christmas, we’ll only have two days of holiday. The Government is selling a part of the company and we are preparing documentation. Must run now… see you

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          1. restlessjo Avatar
            restlessjo

            Sounds grim! A little escapism, maybe, but I won’t take offence if you can’t be bothered. 🙂
            http://restlessjo.wordpress.com/2013/12/10/christmas-in-narnia/

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  14. themofman Avatar
    themofman

    That cliff reminds me of the Dundas Peak near me.

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  15. jalal michael sabbagh.http://gravatar.com/jmsabbagh86@gmail.com Avatar
    jalal michael sabbagh.http://gravatar.com/jmsabbagh86@gmail.com

    Outstanding post.The photos are amazing historic places.Wishing you a delightful holiday season.Jalal

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  16. Cardinal Guzman Avatar
    Cardinal Guzman

    What a beautiful place! This place should be on the Unesco list or something like that!

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    1. Paula Avatar
      Paula

      I agree 🙂

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  17. anotherday2paradise Avatar
    anotherday2paradise

    Such magical music to accompany the lovely photographic memories of your beautiful country, Paula. Hope the return to work wasn’t too traumatic. 🙂 xx

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  18. ventisqueras Avatar
    ventisqueras

    conosco la zona, abito in Italia, a Pisa e non è vicina, ma sono stata molte volte, apprezzo le foto artistiche che hai scattato
    grazie, piacere di averti incontrata

    I know the area, I live in Italy, Pisa and is not near, but I’ve been many times, I appreciate the artistic photos that you’ve taken
    Thanks, nice to have you encountered

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    1. Paula Avatar
      Paula

      Grazie Ventis 🙂 Io capisco bastante Italiano ma scrivero in Inglese perche non e buono ancora 🙂 I hope to be able to visit Pisa soon and to admire your beautiful country some more 🙂 It is very nice to have met you too. ciao

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  19. Angeline M Avatar
    Angeline M

    Wonderful photos! Paula. This is indeed a beautiful place.

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  20. Pride in Photos Photography Avatar
    Pride in Photos Photography

    Paula…these are adorable…how I would love to walk these streets.

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  21. Stephen Kelly Creative Avatar
    Stephen Kelly Creative

    wow! beautiful. a friend of mine here in sf visited croatia last year, and the pics he brought back were amazing! he had never been, and he was really impressed with the beauty and the people. i had never thought of croatia as a travel destination before, but now it’s high on my list (which is pretty long!)

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    1. Paula Avatar
      Paula

      I am sure you would love it, Stephen. It is a small country with a lot of variety. There are more than 1,000 islands along our coast :). I hope your friend got to see Dubrovnik where I grew up – it is said to be the most beautiful town in the Mediterranean 🙂

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  22. ledrakenoir Avatar
    ledrakenoir

    Yeah very inspiring – looks like worth visiting and indicate a lot of atmosphere… 🙂

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    1. Paula Avatar
      Paula

      I love that region Drake. It is our little Tuscany 🙂 If you like small towns and villages perched on hilltops with lots of greenery around and if you enjoy good wine and truffle pasta this would be a heaven for you 😀

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      1. ledrakenoir Avatar
        ledrakenoir

        Absolutly a place worth visiting for me… 🙂 🙂

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  23. TinCanTraveler Avatar
    TinCanTraveler

    Croatian Rhapsody….I am adding it to my list of favorite uplifting songs and will see in mind’s eye your photos when I listen to it!
    Thank you, Paula!

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  24. ipselorum Avatar
    ipselorum

    True emotion has nothing to do with technique 🙂

    I saw that you are fluent in English and in French. I am French, so in which language do you prefer me to interact with you? ^^

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    1. Paula Avatar
      Paula

      Je te remercie 🙂 Ton anglais est parfait, mais je voudrais bien qu’on parle en francais pour que je pratique 😉 Merci bien pour ton gentil commentaire.

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      1. ipselorum Avatar
        ipselorum

        Pas de soucis ! 🙂

        Myriam

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  25. rommel Avatar
    rommel

    Technically lacking photography … I beg to differ. 😉

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    1. Paula Avatar
      Paula

      😀 thank you, Rommel 🙂

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  26. Alex Raphael Avatar
    Alex Raphael

    What gorgeous photos. Beautifully captured.

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    1. Paula Avatar
      Paula

      Thank you very much, Alex 🙂

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  27. Patti Kuche Avatar
    Patti Kuche

    Always such a treat to visit these fascinating parts of your country Paula, definitely worth tripping down memory lane in these atmospheric shots.

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    1. Paula Avatar
      Paula

      🙂 I’ve enjoyed your company Patti 🙂

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  28. alexraphael Avatar
    alexraphael

    Awesome stuff. The penultimate one is my favourite. What an inspiring sight.

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    1. Paula Avatar
      Paula

      Ah, that is Mirna river valley. Mirna means calm – i.e. a river that is not very turbulent :D. This region is well know for truffles (mushrooms). In October the place is packed with Italians coming to local tavernas and restaurants looking for truffles 😀

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      1. alexraphael Avatar
        alexraphael

        You should be a tour guide 🙂

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        1. Paula Avatar
          Paula

          I was, really between ages of 18 and 23 😀

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          1. alexraphael Avatar
            alexraphael

            What made you leave?

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            1. Paula Avatar
              Paula

              It was just a summer job while I was studying, and a way to help my Mom and my sister. Later on I wanted to land a proper full-time job, but the war burst out and I was working in what I like least – teaching kids (and sometimes adults) in foreign language schools …

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              1. alexraphael Avatar
                alexraphael

                I imagine you were great. In a funny way you are sort of continuing that. Your shots make me want to go to Croatia right now.

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                1. Paula Avatar
                  Paula

                  I was very popular 🙂 :D, young and eager and easy on the eyes :D. Thank you, Alex.. I will try to continue my mission 🙂

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                  1. alexraphael Avatar
                    alexraphael

                    What was the nicest compliment you ever received?

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                    1. Paula Avatar
                      Paula

                      You are referring to my job as a tour guide? There were many, and I have lots of fun stories to tell, but perhaps the biggest compliment was when some German tourists left their tourist bus on the same trip joining mine saying:”We speak English too, we want to go with her” :D. Seriously, that job made me happy and content. It was nice seeing new faces every day and people falling in love with my country 🙂

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                    2. alexraphael Avatar
                      alexraphael

                      I don’t doubt you were a great guide. You’ve carried your legacy on with your camera 🙂

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        2. Paula Avatar
          Paula

          And I have to show you this one, from the same region https://bopaula.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/sunday-post-from-a-distance/

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  29. Know-All Avatar
    Know-All

    technically lacking photos, huh?? which technologist says that??? 😀 lovely place!! thank you for sharing! 🙂 Oh and one more request…you should mention the music details in all the posts…

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    1. Paula Avatar
      Paula

      Maybe I should, but by omitting them I get more comments (inquiries) 😀 😉

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      1. Know-All Avatar
        Know-All

        hehe…true true! 🙂

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        1. Paula Avatar
          Paula

          Another photo from the same region, since you are curious about good things Croatia has to offer 😀 https://bopaula.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/sunday-post-from-a-distance/

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