George Returns to Europe Day 9

Day 9:

George's first gelato (stracciatella, his choice)

We had planned to have an early start this morning, but failed… we were up too late last night Then we drove on some amazing and sometimes a bit white knuckle back roads to Pietrapelosa castle ruin… while almost making an illegal border crossing into Slovenia (thanks British GPS lady), but failed there too! The ruin (beautifully restored when we visited three years ago) was very much closed.

No translator neccessary, this is quite obviously closed. 😞

So we continued on to Lovran on the sea via the Učka tunnel (also a sort of fail, as we had to wait in a LONG line to enter the tunnel). At least I was able to get a good picture of the mountain.

Učka mountain

George requested a "selfie" while in the car.

We finally had success Lovran! Nick was resilient and found parking just off the old town so we were able to have lunch at our favorite seafood restaurant on the sea. George especially enjoyed watching all the action in the harbor and his ćervapčići with fries.

Lunch is served!

George LOVED the boats. Next time we will have to go out on one.

Looking back at Lovran from the harbor.

Then our favorite little “hidden” cove - Verafels - proved again to be a shady cool spot to play in the sea. George would literally spend ALL DAY in the water if he could. Not even the promise of ice cream did much to persuade him to leave the water. In the end we did managed to pull him out of the sea and to find some tasty gelato (another first for George) before exploring the old town and then driving back to Mune.

Playing in the cove

Such clear water!

Who needs beach toys when you have ROCKS!

Splash!

George and Nick under the Sir George mural in the Old Town.

In the evening we walked from Male to Vele Mune to spend the evening visiting with more friends over homemade cheese and sausage, cake, and “fruit bars” for George (though he also loves the sausage). Hopped up on sugar, George RAN the entire distance back to Vele Mune so fast, Nick also had to run to keep up.

George and our good friend Darija having fun