Lovran, Croatia is wa-ay too picturesque for words.

kvarner gulf, behind pampas grass
Fair 'nuff.  But until yesterday, I was finding it fiendishly difficult to do with pictures  either.  Some days the sun wasn't out.  Flat light makes for dull pix.  One day I forgot to put a freshly-charged battery in my trusty camera.  (runs around behind self and kicks himself inna butt)

The Kvarner Gulf is like S.F. Bay surrounded by mountains, and both subtropical and northern flora.   A string of resort towns lines the western side of the gulf.  Northernmost is the biggest, the somewhat tacky Opatija.  
rocky shoreline, habsburg-era hotel  small boat manouvering in crowded harbor 
An hour leisurely walk along the Lungomare (paved waterfront path) brings you to the tiny harbor of Lovran.  

Having a pack, I cheated and took the bus.

narrow medieval street  narrow medieval street with stairs

 Above the harbor is a tiny medieval old town, the outer wall of which backs  against "my" house.  
There's my digs: second floor, with the shutters open.
pinkish house front with shutters  brass frame bed 
Note the self-portrait in the old-fashioned dressing table mirror.   room, facing windowdetail of candle-holder on dressing table
window and frame, overlooking parking lot with trees  the lushly-tree'd parking lot across the street  As I write, booths and a stage are being set up across the street for National (independence) Day tomorrow, and the annual Chestnut Festival this weekend.

The chestnut festival is called Marunada.  Sounds like "maroon".  Is there a connection?  Is  there a reason that the German editions of Harry Potter always translate "maroon" as "chestnut brown"?

Contents Copyright 2012 Jeff Bulf