Biokovo National Park!

After a coffee at Makarska beach in the morning, we returned home, where Marin was cooking Sea Bass. I have rarely eaten fish in the UK, mainly because whoever I have lived with doesn't like it, especially Darrell. However, Marin wanted to try out a new recipe - Sea bass with lemon and rosemary, baked in salt. I have seen something similar before on the internet, but was unsure how it actually worked in practice.

Marin bought 4 kg of salt and mixed it with egg white, laying a bed of the mixture on a baking tray, where he placed the fish, stuffed with the rosemary and lemon. Finally, he covered the fish with the rest of the blend and placed in the oven at 200 degrees, baking for 35 minutes. Once cooked, the salt was chipped away and the fish was cooked perfectly. Personally, I have never tasted fish like it, it was fantastic - a subtle taste with a glorious rosemary fragrance and so moist.

Darrell, who can't stand seafood, had his own dish prepared, but if I am honest, I think he would have loved it. The taste was so delicate, it could have been anything. As Marin said to me, fish really shouldn't have a strong smell and if it does, it means it isn't fresh. There was absolutely no strong fish aroma at all, making it as fresh as the day it was caught.

After lunch, we drove to Biokovo Nature Park, which has the third-highest mountain in Dalmatia. Once again, I can't stress how difficult it is for me to do heights at all, let alone such a tall mountain. It is a measure of how relaxed I feel here, to manage to go up the narrow mountain roads in the first place. The last time I undertook such a journey, was when Darrell and I went to Sorrento in Italy, but even then the heights involved were nowhere near what they are in Croatia.

The rugged landscape was really otherworldly, quite desolate and stark at times, with heavy forested areas on occasion. The air was also particularly thin, and it was quite difficult to catch one's breath, but the stunning vista as we climbed ever higher was a treat, and I am so glad I went.

At the very top of Biokovo Mountain sits the Skywalk, a glass walk way that protrudes out from the mountain side, with a sheer anxiety inducing drop below. I have seen the photographs and a video of it, but when we got to the crest of the mountain, I decided not to walk on it. It turns my stomach just thinking about it, and I know even Darrell was nervous. Nevertheless, he did make a valiant attempt with his cousin, who took the photographs I have included below. I've only got to look at them and feel weak at the knees, so I can't even imagine how he felt.

As we made our way back down the mountain, we stopped to see the native wildlife, flora and fauna. There were a few isolated residences up there, but in the main there were wild horses, who we were warned not to go too close to, mountain goats and cows. They were all living in perfect harmony, along with a large colony of bees near the summit. There was very little greenery to speak of, but for these animals to survive up so high, there must be sufficient food.

Making our way further down the pass, we entered a wooded area, with equally spectacular views. The evergreen/pine trees were a sight to behold, framing the blue sea beyond perfectly. The trees were a welcome break from the heat of the day, as we walked for an hour in the early evening sun. By the time we had descended to the relative seclusion of the forest, my anxiety had all but disappeared and despite still being up higher than I have ever been before, I felt comfortable in an environment I would have found alien only a few short weeks ago. If I am feeling relaxed and chilled, then I am clearly in the right place for me at the moment.

It was a lovely afternoon spent with Darrell and his Cousin, just walking and chatting, but as we reached the very bottom, I was mindful of the short time we have left here, which, if I am honest, makes me sad. Our Croatian family are always so welcoming and sincere, it has always been a wrench leaving, but leave we must, and we need to spend as much quality time with them as we can, before we fly to our next destination, Thailand, continuing our Lifestyle break

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