Highlights:
Flights all went according to plan. We arrived in Munich on time and then had a short flight to Zagreb. The boys did great. We slept a touch on the planes and the crashed the whole 3 hour car ride to Murter.
We are driving a cute 4 door white Fiat. Very Euro.
It was fun driving from Zagreb to Murter and remembering some of the sites from last year. One of the most memorable is passing through the last mountain tunnel prior to reaching the region near the sea. It literally is like passing into another world. Gone are the green trees and hello rugged rocky jagged mountains.
We arrived in. Murter and checked into the quaint Hotel Tismo. Only 9 rooms and about 3 employees. They couldn't have been nicer and a welcome sight after our 18 hour journey.
We quickly put on our swim suits and hit the pool. Ana, the hotel owner, brought us 4 lovely glasses of orange juice as a welcome drink. We enjoyed them and a couple more cocktails while the boys swam. Jim brought me 2 kinds of white wine to sample by the pool. Superb service all around.
After a quick swim we changed and drove into town to enjoy pizza at a restaurant we had been to last year. It was fun to see a familiar place and also to have Cameron with us as he missed this spot last year while at camp. It was also nice because the boys could venture out a bit together while Jim and I enjoyed sitting at the table a bit longer. The explored the area around the marina and scouted out the best spot for ice cream. All the local places have TVs and projectors set up to watch the World Cup games. Fun to be in Europe again during this time.
We grabbed a quick ice cream and headed back to the hotel before we all fell asleep standing up or driving. Zzzzzzzz. Lllooooonnnnngggg day but a great day.
We all slept like rocks and probably didn't move until the town of Murter awoke to the beautiful church bells that filled the town. Apparently the ring all day and often. So much that at about 715A Jim said he thinks their album had a scratch. I loved it. What a great way to wake up-windows open, fresh airs and beautiful bells. Like a dream.
We had breakfast outside at the hotel. Boys enjoyed a couple hard boiled eggs made to order. They loved the little dish they were served in and cracking the shells with the tiny spoon.
Last year Jim, Brandon and I rented a little boat. Cameron thought he'd like to experience that this year. So while we didn't have a lot of time we had enough to rent a little boat and hit the sea for a couple hours. We all loved it. We made our way out a bit, found a place to drop anchor and we all jumped off the boat. One of those moments I wish I could bottle and keep forever. It was beautiful and we all were so happy. A touch cold, but so much fun. We hated that we had to head back but Camp California was calling.
We got cleaned up and out of our hotel about 1215P. Camp drop off wasn't until 3P so we drove to Vodice where we stayed last year. We walked along the water and into town for lunch. Gotta love observing the Euro culture and a few topless sunbathers. Life experience # who knows how many for our boys.
The four of us shared a jumbo pizza which was just that then headed back to the car. I could tell Cameron was getting closer to camp drop off. All of the sudden he looked so,grown up to us. We had about a 25 min car ride to camp and used the time for a few last reminders. Please brush your teeth and try to keep your clothes in some sort of order. Likely he didn't hear any of it. The one thing he said that melted my heart was, "Last year I was nervous for camp but this year I'm just excited." And there you have. It, the difference of a year. Love that boy.
Meanwhile Brandon fell obviously silent. The reality of a week without his brother was upon him.
We got to camp check in and immediately counselors started recognizing Cameron. You'd never know we were 4,000 miles from home. We got Cameron checked in and dropped off in his cabin and he was ready for us to be on our way. One boy in his cabin was a friend from last year. It felt good leaving him to go have his fun.
We walked back to the car with a quiet little brother and settled in for our 3 hour drive back to Zagreb. We stopped for gas and a Fanta to ease the pain a touch. About 2/3 through the trip,Brandon said, "I wonder what Cameron is doing." Cutest thing ever.
We arrived back in Zagreb about 630P and after checking in hit the pool for a quick swim. Not a lot in this area so we enjoyed dinner outside at the hotel. Brandon then bellied up to the bar to watch some soccer and a Shirley Temple on the house.
Tine to sleep as we are up and out early tomorrow for our flight to Antibes. More from France. Night night after 2 wonderful days.
Boys sitting by the water after a long long journey
Lovely hotel
View of Murter
Sunset over the marina
Now that's a pizza
Our camper. Ready for year 2.
Renovated Hollywood Bowl with flags representing all the camper and counselor home countries.
Boy on his own.
Brandon, 2 Asians and a couple grumpy Croatians.
On my own at the bar. Shirley Temple on the house.
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