We had made a reconnaissance trip earlier to the island of Krk to check out another resort with cottages open year round. Not only was Krk a place we wanted to visit, but the cottages are right on the water. And when I say water, I mean the Adriatic Sea. Again, we sussed out which cottage we wanted and then made our reservation for a month, starting November 29th. This is where we will spend our Christmas in Croatia. This resort is about 2.5 hours from Porto Sole, and along the way we stopped in a few stores to get some Christmas decorations. We didn’t find much, so we stocked up on food and made our way to our new home, Camping Ježavac in Krk town.
A couple of days after we arrived I got a message from Zoë: “Mom, can you call me?” We text and Zoom but rarely talk on the phone, so of course my mind is racing, what could it be?? So I called her and right out of the gate she says, “Mom, don’t freak out, I am fine.” Okay, the fact that she’s told me not to freak out means that I am now totally freaking out, but at least she is “fine”. And then came the news. “I tested positive for Covid.” Now I am terrified, especially being halfway around the world from her.
It seems that she was exposed at work. Even with all the precautions of masking up and hand sanitizing, there had been an outbreak with several people being infected. Zoë’s boyfriend, Dan, who was also working at the same company tested negative. A few days later they were both tested again, and this time both were positive. I checked in with her every day to find out how they were doing, how they were feeling. Thankfully their symptoms were mild, neither one had much more than a stuffy nose. Although Zoe did lose her sense of smell and taste. After quarantining for two weeks Zoë and Dan were tested again. This time, both came back negative! They will test once more just to make sure and if the result is still negative they can return to work. Zoë reports that she still has not regained her sense of smell or taste, so we’re hoping that returns in time.
I can’t even begin to tell you how scared I was for them and how utterly relieved I am that this has turned out to be a relatively minor thing in their lives. This has not been the case for a childhood friend of mine who has been on a ventilator since mid-November. Her outcome could not be more different than Zoë and Dan’s, which just goes to prove the only way to know for sure you will survive this virus is not to get it in the first place. So mask up, sanitize those hands and take care of yourselves and those around you!
In the following days we walked and biked around the resort and Krk town to get our bearings. Camping Ježavac resort is built for 2,800 guests and if there are more than eight of us here at the moment, I’d be surprised. Though restaurants across Croatia are still closed, those located within resorts are allowed to stay open for their guests. Essentially that means that Steven and I have our own private restaurant, Oliva, which also delivers! We are doing what we can to support them. 🙂
The facilities are pared down to just one section, for example, there are several areas with washers and dryers, but only one is actually open. We went by to see it the other day and it was a little like being at Chernobyl. There wasn’t a soul in sight but they are still piping in music. It was kind of eerie. We didn’t use the resort washing facilities at Porto Sole because it cost 10 euros per load! So we decided to bring Maxxi into the cottage and every few nights after it got dark, I would wash a couple of loads and then just leave them in the tub overnight. It was cool enough for that, and gravity forced a lot of the water out of the clothes. The next morning bright and early we would hang them out on racks provided by the campground and let them stay out there all day. When it got dark, we brought the clothes into the spare bedroom and cranked up the heater. Couple of hours later, voila, we had clean clothes!
We thought we would be able to do the same thing here at Ježavac but as it turns out, having a water view also means being sprayed with sea water on a windy day. A few of the days since we’ve arrived here have been windy! Croatia is known for the Jugo and Bura winds. The Bura is the super windy stuff that comes from the north, down from the mountains and out to sea. It is cold and nearly hurricane force, but it’s a cleansing wind, the “good” kind. But the Jugo, which is what we’ve been having, is the “bad” kind. It comes from the south and churns up the sea and can drive a sane person mad. Back in the day, if you commited a crime during the Jugo winds, it was understandable so you were forgiven. Everybody wants to kill somebody when the Jugo arrives!
Well, we haven’t killed each other yet, and so far we have had a blast watching the stormy weather. The wave action has been so forceful that the maintenance crews came to check on us several times each day. The cleaning ladies came by yesterday and removed the outdoor curtains from our deck so that they didn’t get damaged. I’m so glad they did, because those things really flap around. Several seaside RV pitches were washed out with dirt and gravel being thrown up on the sidewalks. It was tough to even go outside! Our friends Brad and Oksana showed up for a couple of nights and we met up for lunch at Oliva. As per usual we were the only ones there, and the wind was howling, making the thick plastic walls of the tented outdoor seating pop loudly. Aside from that, lunch was delish.
We have made a couple of trips to the old town to see the church on the hill, which is really beautiful. The marina is small but very busy with lots of folks milling about, many of them enjoying a coffee. There are several places open where you can get a to-go coffee. We did find a kind of dollar store and bought a Christmas tree and a few decos. We tried to keep costs to a minimum because we can’t take any of it with us. We have been enjoying our little cottage by the sea, now that it is decorated for the holidays it feels very cosy. I’ll leave you with a photo tour of our little abode.
NEXT UP: What’s Next? 2021
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First of all, I really glad to hear that your daughter is okay. What a relief. And secondly, I just want to salute the two of you and your great, adventurous spirits. There is so much negativity in the world right now, so it is inspiring to receive these glimpses into your travels and to feel your sense of wonder. We the living, must live to the fullest. Thank you for being such great examples. With love, Maggie.
Thank you for such a sweet comment, Maggie. I’m not sure I ever thought of us as adventurous, but here we are, and very blessed to have such an opportunity to travel as we do. Here’s to more adventures to come!
Whew! So glad Zoe and Dan are recovered and had a mild experience. Can’t even imagine how scary if was for all of you, being so far apart! More and more people we know have family and friends who have/had it so it sure feels like it’s getting much worse 🙁 All the more reason why I love reading your beautiful and fun posts (LOL to how you and Steven looked when you got the message from Zoe). Your location in that cottage is like out of a dream – both peaceful and dramatic with your serene and blustery water views. The piped music in the deserted resort sounds very Stephen King! Beautiful Christmas pics, thanks for sharing.
So glad yr family is ok!
The Venice tree is truly beautiful!
Such a lovely place to be able to stay at! Wonderful, wonderful pictures…
BOY that is really quite the wind!!!!!!
Thank you, Dolores! We are so blessed that Zoe and Dan didn’t get a more virulent strain of this virus and are very thankful they came through it in good form! Good to hear from you, as always! I hope you are staying safe and healthy!
Jodee, it was a shocker to hear this news from Zoe, let me tell you! She was so careful and really took all the precautions seriously. It worked out, though, and we are so grateful for that. We have managed once again to get ourselves to a beautiful place to hunker down. Of course, we’d rather be at the ranch, but as you pointed out, it is getting worse in the U.S. So no flights for us, and no exposing my parents to anything. Next year, though. Fingers crossed!
So glad everyone is well, what an experience to have had to go through.
Great blog, insight and photos as always.
Stay safe and Happy Christmas to you guys.
R&E xx
Merry Christmas to you guys, too! I hope you are all staying safe in the PNW. I assume (hope!) your kiddos will be home for the holidays!
Crazy winds! So glad your kiddos are recovered! Love your tree. Looks like a great place to spend the holidays!
Our little tree really shines up the place! Merry Christmas to you guys, hope you have a safe and happy holiday season!
You guys scored another great spot in a beautiful area! Stay safe and healthy. Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year
Merry Christmas to you guys! I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season and that soon we’ll all be moving around once again! I know you must really miss the southwest by now.
Absolutely gorgeous y’all! Looks like a wonderful place to just slow down and relax. My kind of spot! Look forward to your next post. Stay safe, Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Thanks, Eric! Good to hear from you! We hope you have a happy and safe holiday season. Here’s to a better New Year!
Delighted that your daughter and her boyfriend are doing good and no long term affects, what a scare you guys must have got. Loving the pics of Krk. Hope to catch up soon 🎄⛄
Thank you, Zoe and Dan are back at work and doing well! Hope you guys have a wonderful Christmas at Polidor, maybe we’ll get to travel again in the new year and catch up. Before you know it, we’ll all be on the road again (she says with fingers crossed!).
As a mom, I can totally understand your fear when you got that text to call her. I’m sure Zoe was just as scared as you were. So glad you were able to be “with” her through texts and calls and that she and Dan are doing well now.
I love your Italian Christmas Tree so much. I found one on line that’s similar and for a decent price, though I’m going to wait until after Christmas to see if they go on sale.
You are absolutely right, I was scared to death wondering how this virus would affect Zoe and Dan. They are good now and back to work. We got lucky and we’re so grateful. I hope you get that little glass tree, it is the cutest thing ever! Let me know and if you get it, send me a photo!
Merry Christmas y’all! Fab post. Jealous as usual.
Awww, thanks, Jen. Merry Christmas to you and here’s hoping for a happier 2021!
Such a beautiful location on the Adriatic! How great that you’ve been able to stay in cottages the past couple of months. Love the storms, the kitties, the lovely church, your sweet holiday decorations, and the eye exam, LOL. So glad your daughter is doing well. Happy holidays from Florida, and here’s to a bright 2021 for all of us!
I could not have guessed we’ve be living on the Adriatic Sea, just as you would not have guessed you’d be living in Florida. Life’s funny, eh? Merry Christmas from Steven and me, and here’s to traveling in 2021!
Merry Christmas ! I love how you decorated and what a fantastic deck. Plus cats! So happy you are doing well.
I know! I can’t even with all these cats around here. Steven is in heaven! Merry Christmas to you and Lee, and fingers crossed for a better world in 2021!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year . Stay safe .
Thank you, Vern! Merry Christmas to you, too, and here’s to a safer and happier New Year!