Pond Jumpers: Spain

home image for Rafting on Croatia’s Cetina River

Rafting on Croatia’s Cetina River

Posted on June 27, 2010 at 1:00pm Madrid / 7:00am Cincinnati by Kelly Larbes

Last Saturday we headed 45 minutes south of Split to the town of Omiš and the Cetina River for a rafting adventure with Milda and Mario. The weathermen forecasted rain for Saturday all week, but luckily they were wrong and we had beautiful sunny skies. The scenery along the river was captivating as we passed through the tall rock cliffs of the Cetina gorge, and our guide from Adriaturist [...]

Posted in Croatia, Dalmatia, Trips | 5 Comments »

home image for Beautiful Bays and the Blue Cave on the Island of Vis

Beautiful Bays and the Blue Cave on the Island of Vis

Posted on June 21, 2010 at 11:12pm Madrid / 5:12pm Cincinnati by Kelly Larbes

I woke up to the sun shining into our room and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore beneath our balcony. I rolled over and looked at my watch. It was only 5:00 am. I got up to close the balcony shutters and the view just blew me away. It was beautiful, so much more than I expected. I looked at Jay and seeing he was [...]

Posted in Croatia, Dalmatia, Trips | 7 Comments »

home image for Aunt Christina comes to Split

Aunt Christina comes to Split

Posted on June 2, 2010 at 11:36pm Madrid / 5:36pm Cincinnati by Kelly Larbes

Getting to Split from the United States is a lengthy and expensive trip, so we haven't had many guests. This May was an exceptional month because we had two sets of guests: first my family and then my Aunt Christina and her friend, Jean. Aunt Christina and Jean were here for just three days (following a pilgrimage in Italy), but every day they were here we got to see or do something new. [...]

Posted in Croatia, Dalmatia, Family, Split, Trips | 4 Comments »

home image for Croatia diary: My family’s visit

Croatia diary: My family’s visit

Posted on May 26, 2010 at 10:55pm Madrid / 4:55pm Cincinnati by Kelly Larbes

Our move to Croatia was hardly a precisely calculated plan. Jay and I carefully decided to move abroad, but the fact that we ended up in Split, Croatia was more a combination of random coincidences and blind luck. Croatia is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, so I feel very lucky that I ended up living here and I always wish I could share the experience with more of the people I love. [...]

Posted in Croatia, Dalmatia, Family, Split, Trips | 7 Comments »

home image for road trip south along croatia’s coastal highway to dubrovnik

road trip south along croatia’s coastal highway to dubrovnik

Posted on April 17, 2010 at 9:32pm Madrid / 3:32pm Cincinnati by Kelly Larbes

Most people in the United States can't name one city in Croatia, and among those who can, it is usually Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is Croatia's most popular tourist city, and a few months ago CNN hailed Dubrovnik as the new hotspot for U.S celebrities. Visitors have included Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kevin Spacey [...]

Posted in Croatia, Dalmatia, Trips | 9 Comments »

home image for Road trip north along Croatia’s coastal highway to Šibenik and Zadar

Road trip north along Croatia’s coastal highway to Šibenik and Zadar

Posted on April 4, 2010 at 2:14pm Madrid / 8:14am Cincinnati by Kelly Larbes

I have never been a big fan of road trips or going on drives just for the sake of looking out the window. I have always wanted to get where I was going - where I'd do something fun and active. Jay's parents enjoy them, my parents enjoy them, and my mom used to take my Granny on drives, so I figured it was just an [...]

Posted in Croatia, Dalmatia, Trips | 2 Comments »