Ahhhhhh, Brela

Welcome to Brela, Croatia.  We were trying to remember just how many times we've visited here in 3+ years, and our best guess has it at 8 or 9 times.  It's not that we have skipped the rest of the country (been to Dubrovnik twice, the island of Korcula, Paklenica National Park to name a few others), but we always come back here.  Much of Europe has discovered Croatia, but we've been fortunate to typically visit in May and September and miss the crowds.  Brela was introduced to us during our first week in Sarajevo, and we've paid it forward to all of our friends here and anybody lucky to visit us in September or May. 

 This is where we stay, about 70 steps up from the beach, in a large home with apartments owned by Matko Raos.  There are side by side 2 room apartments with a shared patio, typically we share the other apartment with friends, (Hamric's, Stalker's, Spinner's, Starkey's, Falsetti's) come to mind.  Matko has been a great host over the years, and we highly recommend this spot should you be in the mood for a Croatian beach vacation. 

 The view of "our" beach from Monkey Face rock (more on this later).  We imagine the beach has a name, but have fallen into the habit of calling it our beach.  Makto's place is about 2.5 miles from the center of Brela, connected by a wide path ideal for jogging or biking.  If you look real closely between the two trees, you might spot a small beachside bar that we've been known to frequent. 

 Alma relaxing on the beach, photo from south to north.  Clear, clean, warm water.  Gently sloping beach. Talin has honed her swimming skills here, Alma has learned to swim here.  As long as we're here, we will keep coming back.

 This is about as close as Rose gets to actually being in the water.  Talin, on the other hand, rarely spends any time out of the water. 

 The leap from Monkey Face rock.  The girls usually supply a countdown, and then dad jumps.  Notice Talin on the adjacent rock.  She had scrambled up to relieve Jim of his sunglasses.  Jim has lost two pairs jumping off this rock (Rose subsequently recovered one)  We have jumped off this rock on every visit, day and night, various states of clothing.  The depth of the water in the landing area is deeper than it appears.

 Alma posing in the Adriatic.  Spinner boys and Talin in the background.  The water IS this clear. 

 AM view of Monkey Face rock and our beach from the patio.  The day typically starts with a breakfast on the patio, then we hit the beach about 10AM.  Lunch back on the patio, then the afternoon on our beach.  With the exception of bike trips to town for provisions (bread, beer, bananas), we usually do not venture more than 500 yards from our beach. 

 Talin, and a perfect skipping rock.

 Welcome to Pirate Bar and Beach, 500 yards from Makto's place.  This is where we eat dinner, drink suds, and watch the girls play on the beach. 

 View of Pirate Bar from the beach.  The girls eat cevapi (sausage like national dish of Bosnia), Rose experiments with the menu, Jim eats squid (fried and grilled).  A beer or two is also consumed.

 Talin and Alma on Pirate beach.  They play before and after dinner.  Rose and Jim park at the picnic table. 

 View from our table at Pirate Bar looking at the beach.  No idea as to the origins of the "Pirate" name (restaraunt is actually called something else, name does not come to mind though), but we think one of us may have termed the place based on the "plank" visible on the left. 

Had to include the a picture of the tree.  If you google Brela, you are bound to see this image.  More importantly, come visit us, we will take you here.