“Hey, look at the size of the marina! Come on let’s take some shots; who knows if we’ll see this amazing view again!” exclaimed the girl sitting next to me on the propeller plain. She happened to be Greek and we had one thing in common at that moment; we were both traveling solo to this unknown destination rooted on Croatia’s Dalmatic Coast and fortressed by the Adriatic Sea.

It was the third time I decided to travel alone. Driven by my fiery desire and adventurous spirit I had organized a rather unusual travel plan. My first time as a solo traveler was two years ago, when I took the valiant decision to visit Jordan. I never regretted that and it was the springboard to the best adventures of my life. That summer I wasn’t really planning to go anywhere. Having returned from Boston only two months earlier, I booked a flight to Kos Island to see my father and brother and enjoy the healing powers of the greek blue sea. Rumor has it that I can’t remain in one place for long so it didn’t take too much time to change my plans. I needed my oxygen again and started browsing travel destinations online. I started searching on a greek airline website offering tickets on discount by redeeming miles. Sounded appealing and only cost me 38$ and 5000 miles. Zadar, I had never heard of to be honest, but thought it wouldn’t harm me to find out more about this place. I would start my journey there which eventually gave me the opportunity to see more of the beauty that Croatia boasts.

Whenever I think about this venture, one amusing scene returns into my mind. The look on the passengers’ faces when they came across the petite propeller plane that would transfer us to our destination. It was as if somebody had just told them to jump off the cliff at Victoria Falls, Zambia. Hilarious! The plane journey was enjoying and as usual, I made a new acquaintance. Claire was a personal trainer from Greece and had set off to join a group of random music fanatics at a concert that would take place on Zrce Beach, Pag Island the next day. They would meet at Zadar and head off together to the event. We got our passports stamped once more and headed out to catch the local bus that would beam us to the city center. At the exit Claire found one of her friends who was waiting for her. A German guy whom she met online and arranged to share accommodation with. The bus was punctual and cheap I must admit. Cost no more than 3$ for a single ride from the airport to the center with a duration of 15 minutes. We sat together and chatted all the way until our roads were separated and now I would continue the story on my own. Finally, I was at the heart of Zadar and had to find a way to kill a few hours since my check in time was a bit late at noon. The marina landscape I first encountered was exactly as I had seen on various websites and after a short walk along the City Walls I reached the famous Land Gate, decorated with a carving of St. Chrysogonus, the patron saint of Zadar, to enter the medieval part of the town. Strewn with cobblestones, the pathway was decked out with statues and sculptures of important figures, churches and little souvenir shops, bakeries and coffee niches. I walked through the city exploring and capturing moments with my phone camera until I found the ideal place to rest and enjoy a glass of cold rose wine. Just across the Cathedral of St. Donatus, I was swayed by the sweet inebriation of alcohol, the sun warming my face and body enjoying a moment of ultimate freedom and pleasure.

I sat there indulging the Dionysian rite of wine tasting until it was time to check in to my room. I found an apartment for rent on the Airbnb platform, close to the highlights I was going to visit and took a short walk to find it so I could make myself comfortable with my new host town. I had only one day to see as much as I could and the clock had started ticking the moment I got off the plane. My host was a very polite and communicative Croatian lady who showed me around the house and made sure I was satisfied and informed in order to make the best out of my trip. I charged my phone, changed into something lighter as the heat had already reached its peak on an August afternoon and headed back to discover more beauty. I walked down the famous promenade which is decorated with the city’s top attraction, The Sea Organ. Reaching the end of the promenade visitors can hear the sound of music coming from within the stones. A sea harmonica made of tubes incorporated inside the concrete platform creating music as the sea waves splash on it, giving higher tones when hit with greater force. A truly unique and relaxing experience while sitting on the steps at the edge of the Morske Orgulje, as is baptized in Croatian language. A few meters away a large circular installation of solar panels completes the symphony as a Greeting to the Sun created by architect Nikola Bašić.

After the musical interval with the sound of the waves playing music under my feet I started walking towards the opposite side just to see what else was happening on the promenade of surprises. People were enjoying their afternoon walk or coffee sitting in small cafes along the sidewalk, kids were playing with their parents and others were taking photos ceaselessly just like myself. The statue of Spiridon Brusina on the waterfront had me wondering if he was waiting for an answer or just browsing the large seashell he was holding in his hands. Didn’t find an answer to that…

While hot and moist, the weather wasn’t very helpful and figured that a view of the sunset would not accompany my visit as the clouds would not disperse to let it mesmerise us. A bit disappointed, I decided to walk back to the city alleys and fool around. I visited St. Donatus Church, climbed my way to the top for breathtaking views and awesome photos and went to grab some local delicacy to eat on the way. I ate a large slice of pizza and homemade ice cream as a true American..After my small exploration of this newly found paradise, I took the way back to the house. Street performers and musicians caught my eye and lured me with their melodic music and dances in a little picturesque square. There’s a lot going on in this town everywhere you look which distracts you as if doesn’t want you to leave but rather fill you up with all its gifts and beauty.

Croatia’s National Football Team had made it to the World Cup Final that year and the decorations across the city reminded us at every step. Proud and for a good reason this little town boasted many stellar football players.

That was the end of my one day adventure and didn’t want it to end so fast. I should have planned to stay another day. My sluggish pace couldn’t alter the outcome. The next day I was leaving to a new magical destination; Plitvice Lakes. I simply had no patience left for that. It was a long awaited dream about to come true. Keeping that thought on my mind, I continued walking until something strange happened. All of a sudden I sensed the sun’s rays stroking the corner of my eye and immediately turned around. The sunset had shown all its glory on the Croatian horizon and had me awestruck rendering me idle for a few seconds, wondering why I was in such haste. Lesson learned there…At the apartment I enjoyed a shower and a bottle of beer as a treat from my host, listening to my favourite music on You Tube. Packed my stuff again and fell asleep dreaming about the iconic waterfalls that waited for me. An early wake up and the bus arrived on time for the next journey. Bye Sea Organ, your music still echoes in my ears and warms my heart. Maybe that’s what the statue of Spiridon Brusina was trying to tell me. Maybe the seashell put a spell on all who passed right in front of it and caught its sight.