The Cetina River and on to Dubrovnik (10/15)

Waking up this morning is a different experience of late. Rather than the quiet of the islands, here in Split I awake to cars rushing by the port, ferries honking and generating swells that push the boat against the buoys that protect it from the heavy white stones that make the promenade. One similarity to past awakenings – church bells: the first I hear are at 6:00 AM. I resist.

Slowly, we intrepid travelers gather our things, pack and then huddle for a group picture toward Hera’s bow. We hardly have finished our goodbye hugs when a motley van appears filled with three strapping guys and a load of gear. They spill out, shake hands with Mike, Colleen and me, grab our luggage, stuff us in the van, and we’re off to our next adventure – rafting the rapids of the Cetina River.

The journey takes about two hours due south and then east over a small mountain and then down into a valley gorge. Along the way, the guides in the van display an obvious affection for each other. There is plenty of Croatian-heckling, back slapping, mock wrestling and a nose tweak or two. My eyes are constantly shifting from the tortuous road winding in and out, up and down, with the ever present sea to our right, to the tumbling in the seat in front of me.

f meWe're let out near the river. Several other vans disgorge their riders, and soon there are about 35 of us donning gear, giggling (well, the others giggled -- we three don't know how to giggle in Croatian), and then we all haul four large rafts down to the river.