Rovinj is a small active fishing town on the far western edge of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea.  Tourism is the primary source of income for the 14,000 or or so residents.  Most residents seem to have rental apartments for tourists.  Our rental apartment had a large balcony facing the old town Rovinj peninsula with its prominent Basilica of St. Euphemia church.  We viewed this peninsula in its ever changing light over seven days.

Rovinj Croatia in Changing Light

Some of these photos were shot from our balcony and the beach immediately in front of our rental.  I’m getting more and more lazy in my photography efforts.  If I can get a good photo without leaving home, so much the better.

 

 

 

 

Because I capture the lightning photographs by leaving the camera shutter open for 20 to 30 seconds, not all this lightning happened at the very same moment, rather all withing the same 20 to 30 seconds.

A Walk Around the Streets in Rovinj

Our daily routine was just like that in all our other towns.  Walk around the town we happen to be visiting, exploring it while looking for a place to have a late lunch.  We eat out only once a day.  Sometimes we select a place to eat, then try to find it.  Alternatively, we can wander the streets, find a nice looking place in the shade, then check it out on Trip Advisor.  We happened to eat at a restaurant at the end of this narrow walkway below.  The menus are largely the same or very similar from place to place.  All restaurants have whitefish, sea bass, bream, cuttlefish, squid, salmon and octopus.  The side dishes which accompany them are often indistinguishable.  Only three times in six months have we had a salad dressing other than vinegar and olive oil.  Salads are also all very similar.  Never any iceberg lettuce, always what they call rocket.  It is not like you have the choice to have Mexican, Chinese or Thai today.  Want some pizza?  You will always be able to find some but with canned corn as a topping.  While those tourists on vacation for 10 or so days, think it is all wonderful, after several months one begins to desire some variety.

 

The pink and red of the cafe is reflected onto the cobblestone walkway.  For a  guy raised in a town with no more than ten years of history when I was born and nothing but cement sidewalks, these old buildings and stone walkways are always intriguing.

The light reflecting off of the yellow walls provided a golden tone to the cobblestones.  While there were different types of stone, all were worn smooth from many years of wear.

 

Life in Rovinj Revolves Around the Sea

For tourists, and locals alike life in Rovenj revolves around the sea.  It brings in the tourists, it brings in the food.  In the morning, tourists begin to stake out their spots on the rocks for the day.  When zoomed in, it is apparent the two men in the shadows are drinking beer.  I had not yet even had breakfast!

Never did I see large fishing vessels.  Most boats were so small it seemed like just two people would get in the way of each other.

 

 

Many of the above building apartments are available for rent and others are homes of the locals.  No lawn to mow and apparently no pressure to keep up outside maintenance.  Lunch is at your doorstep and your clothesline is just outside your bedroom window.  No traffic jams, not even a stop light.  A simply life for those with simple needs.  We very much enjoyed our week in Rovinj, Croatia.

 

Next we visit a Croatian National Park.