STARDATE 2026.170
SECTOR 05
LOG — 19 JUN 2026
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Croatia — 2026

Mission log · 19 June – 5 July 2026
VIEWSCREEN // CROATIA 2026
ROVINJ, ISTRIA — 22/06/2026

Seventeen days of summer holiday, from 19 June to 5 July 2026 — a road trip through Austria and Slovenia to a base camp in Istria, with day trips to Rovinj, plenty of swimming, and a buggy safari past abandoned forts on the peninsula near Pula. The photo log runs through 1 July; the last few days went into the journey home, which already began at 3am on 5 July. Log below, day by day.

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13
Day 1 — Friday 19 June 2026

Packing and departure

The start of our big summer trip is all about packing. The car is ready early, the roof box gets filled, and eventually everything we need for three weeks in Croatia disappears into the boot. With the dogs coming along, we pack with extra care.

The car is ready
11:28
Early in the day, the car is already parked outside with the roof box on — a calm start to a long travel day.
The last few things
14:13
Inside, a bag full of toiletries and medication waits on the floor to be packed — the puzzle of what needs to come along has begun.
Fitting it all in
14:14
The roof box on top gets packed full of bags and blankets for the whole holiday.
The boot, full
14:14
The boot is packed just as full — tucked between the bags are some brightly coloured toys, no doubt for the dogs coming along on the trip.
Day 2 — Saturday 20 June 2026

On the road through Austria

The first real day of driving takes us through Austria, with a stop along the way where the dogs can first run off some energy. Later in the day we take a break in a green valley between the mountains — and the sky puts on quite a show, with dramatic clouds piling up above the peaks.

Morning break for the dogs
09:32
On a patch of grass the two dogs get to sniff around and play for a bit before the drive continues.
Cloudy skies over the valley
15:24
A wide view over a green valley, with towering clouds building up against the mountains.
The view from the terrace
15:56
From a sheltered spot we look out over the meadows toward the mountains, a cushion resting on the railing.
One last look before the weather turns
15:56
One last photo of the valley, the gathering clouds turning the sky greyer by the moment.
Day 3 — Sunday 21 June 2026

Arrival in Istria

After the long drive through Austria and Slovenia, we've reached our destination: Istria. We celebrate the first afternoon straight away with a table by the water — the dogs, of course, right there with us.

Arrived — first terrace
10:50
At a table by the beach, looking out over the water, we toast our arrival — the dogs join in right away.
Day 4 — Monday 22 June 2026

A day in Rovinj

Today it's a day in Rovinj — the historic town with its distinctive church tower overlooking the sea. After a morning of wandering around and a proper lunch of calamari and salad, we round off the evening back home with a hearty steak on the grill.

Rovinj from the water
10:15
The silhouette of Rovinj, the tower of St. Euphemia's Church rising high above the rooftops, seen from a little boat out on the water.
Fresh focaccia at lunch
10:40
At a table in town, a plate of warm focaccia sits ready, cut into pieces, with olive oil and a creamy dip on the side.
Terrace with a view of the harbour
10:52
A lunch spot with a broad view over Rovinj's harbour, the sun awnings flapping in the breeze.
A fresh salad
11:42
A colourful salad with chicken and orange segments, ready to be eaten.
Calamari and fries
11:43
Crispy fried calamari rings with a generous portion of fries on the side.
Seeking shade
16:08
Back by the water, under a big sun umbrella, we escape the afternoon heat.
Marc with the dogs
17:22
At an outdoor table, I sit with both dogs around me, clearly enjoying the holiday.
Ready for the grill
19:07
A pack of "eye round steak" sits ready — dinner's clearly sorted.
Day 5 — Tuesday 23 June 2026

Swimming with the dogs

A quiet day by the water, where not just us but the dogs too thoroughly enjoy the swimming. We round off the afternoon with a bite to eat by the beach.

In the shallows
12:19
We stand in the crystal-clear water with the dogs, enjoying the cool relief.
Dogs on the terrace
12:37
From the sunbed I look down to where the dogs are stretched out resting in the shade.
Lunch at the beach
12:52
A plate of fries and something to drink on the table by the beach.
Day 6 — Wednesday 24 June 2026

Pizza by the sea and steak on the grill

The day starts quietly at the beach, with pizza for lunch and a short drive during which one of the dogs, of course, doesn't want to miss anything happening outside. In the evening we grill again, this time two thick steaks.

Marc at the beach table
11:57
Under the parasol I enjoy the morning, both dogs at my feet.
Pizza with a view
12:16
A fresh pizza on the table, with a view of the beach field and the tents further along.
A curious look from the car
13:14
From the back seat, one of the dogs stares intently out the window during a drive.
Two steaks ready for the grill
17:33
Beautifully marbled meat, ready to go on the barbecue.
Beautifully cooked
17:55
One of the steaks, nicely browned, sits ready on the plate.
Day 7 — Thursday 25 June 2026

Another day in Rovinj

Another day in and around Rovinj, with a glimpse of a quad and buggy safari being organised somewhere nearby, a walk through the historic town, fresh mussels for lunch, and a big sailing ship in the harbour. Back at the house, we round off the evening with homemade burgers on the grill.

Quad and buggy safari
09:16
A billboard for a quad and buggy safari catches our eye — an adventure for another day, perhaps.
The tower of Rovinj
10:39
From a small square, Rovinj's church tower is clearly visible, towering high above the old rooftops.
Boats in the harbour
11:24
A harbour full of small boats, with Rovinj's colourful houses in the background.
Terrace on the quay
11:24
A table overlooking the marina, ready for lunch.
Steak with pepper sauce
12:51
On the table sits a fine piece of meat with a creamy green peppercorn sauce and fresh vegetables on the side — lunch is a success.
Big sailing ship in the harbour
13:19
An impressive three-masted sailing ship lies moored in Rovinj's harbour.
Back by the water
17:22
Back at the house I stand in the water with the dog, enjoying the late afternoon sun.
Getting the burger ready
20:58
A hearty burger sits ready to go on the grill.
Almost done
21:18
The burger is nicely browned and ready to be served.
Day 8 — Friday 26 June 2026

Another day of swimming

A relaxed day, with the dogs stretched out on the floor in the morning and, later, wonderful swimming in the clear water by the beach.

A quiet morning moment
11:06
The dogs lie stretched out on the floor while a bit of tidying up happens elsewhere.
Beach with a parasol
11:21
A view over the beach, with a parasol and the dogs playing by the water.
Swimming among the rocks
11:21
In the crystal-clear water I swim with the dogs along the rocks.
Day 9 — Saturday 27 June 2026

A day of rest at the beach

A quiet day with little on the programme — a lazy morning at the beach with the dogs, nothing more than sun and sea.

Dogs by the sun lounger
10:32
Two dogs sit beside the sun loungers, clearly ready for a day at the beach.
The view from the sun lounger
12:24
From under the parasol, the view over the beach and the sea is wonderfully calm.
Day 10 — Sunday 28 June 2026

Lazing in the sun

A short, lazy day — lying on the beach for a while and taking a walk along the boulevard.

Towel on the sun lounger
10:13
A towel draped over the sun lounger, with a dog settling in beside it.
A walk along the boulevard
10:37
I walk along the boulevard under the trees with a parasol, the beach beside it full of colourful umbrellas.
Day 11 — Monday 29 June 2026

Moonrise

The evening puts on a beautiful show: a deep red full moon slowly rises above the rooftops. We follow the spectacle closely from the veranda, right up to the last shot under the tent with the lights on.

The moon rises
21:26
Low above the rooftops glows an orange-red sphere — the full moon making its entrance.
Higher and higher
21:33
A few minutes later the moon has climbed a little higher, still deep orange.
Silhouette of the neighbourhood
21:36
The houses nearby stand out against the last glow of the evening sky.
One more look
21:39
The moon, by now a bright orange sphere, climbs further above the horizon.
Further into the sky
21:48
The moon has risen quite a bit by now, its orange slowly turning lighter.
Almost white
21:51
The moon has climbed a little higher by now, its orange glow slowly starting to fade.
Evening under the tent
21:51
From under the tent, with the lights on, the moon is still just visible above the houses in the distance.
Day 12 — Tuesday 30 June 2026

Buggy safari past crumbling forts and hidden bays

Today we head out in an off-road buggy for a trip across a peninsula full of overgrown military ruins, steep cliffs and crystal-clear little bays. After a briefing at the rental place, we spend hours tearing through forest and along gravel tracks, stopping along the way at old fortress towers, a breathtaking viewpoint, and a hidden beach bar. It's clearly the most active day of the holiday so far — full of dust, sun and surprising little corners.

Starting point of the tour
09:39
At the rental place, the quads and buggies already stand ready on the gravel, under a shelter with a hand-painted sign. The day begins with the smell of petrol and adventure.
Instructions beforehand
09:42
The guide explains things with lots of hand gestures beside the buggy before we're allowed in — exactly the kind of moment that captures the excitement of trying something new.
Ready to go
09:53
Fully loaded and ready, the buggy sits at the starting line with all of us on board. Just a moment more and the tour begins.
Through the undergrowth
10:35
Overgrown grass and shrubs line the path, with only a glimpse of boat masts visible between the branches — this peninsula is clearly not often walked.
Abandoned army buildings
10:35
Abandoned sheds with open doorways, covered in graffiti — traces of a long-gone military past on the peninsula.
On the move in the buggy
10:37
From the driver's seat, with the wheel and dashboard in view, the tour continues across the peninsula.
View across the bay
10:40
Across the water, an old harbour town emerges, a slender clock tower rising above the rooftops — a surprising view in the middle of nature.
Angelique at the shipyard
10:40
A little later, Angelique stands in the same spot by the water, the shipyard cranes of the harbour town as a backdrop.
Angelique among the pine trees
10:45
Leaning playfully against a crooked pine trunk, sunlight filtering through the branches.
Marc among the pine trees
10:46
A few metres further on, I strike the same pose against my own tree, the sea visible in the background.
On the way to the ruin
11:05
I make my way through the undergrowth to a hidden, overgrown bunker — the path is barely visible beneath the green.
Detail of an old gun slit
11:07
A close-up of chiselled stone, likely once a gun port — a lovely detail of just how solidly these forts were built.
The tall stone tower
11:09
An impressive stone chimney or watchtower rises up among the greenery, half hidden from view by the vegetation.
Sailboat in turquoise water
11:20
A lone sailboat bobs at anchor in a small bay of crystal-clear, turquoise water — one of those spots you'd love to just jump straight into.
Fortress wall with arched openings
11:28
A row of stately, rounded arches in old masonry — the style gives away this area's Austro-Hungarian history.
The great fortress tower
11:33
An imposing stone tower with a viewing platform on top, half overgrown with greenery — clearly the highlight of the tour.
View over the ruin
11:35
From a higher point, the full scale of the fortress complex is visible, arches and walls winding through the landscape.
Enjoying the panorama
11:35
From the railing of the viewpoint, we look out over the forests and the sea all the way to the horizon.
The group at the viewpoint
11:39
We all stand together at the railing, taking in the same sweeping view over the peninsula.
Crumbling aqueduct-like walls
11:40
A row of weathered stone arches reminiscent of an old aqueduct, with a sandy path running straight through it.
A tipi on the coast
11:58
At another stop, surprisingly, there's a colourful tipi tent set up on the rocks with a view over the sea — a slightly eccentric find along the way.
The blue-and-yellow house by the water
11:58
A picturesque little house, painted blue and ochre, stands almost with its feet in the sea.
A web of rope
11:59
A curious construction of weathered ropes and nets, stretched over a pointed wooden frame — a bit of artistic coastal decoration along the way.
Terrace of the beach bar
12:00
At a hidden little terrace with barrels for tables and a brightly painted sunshade, we take a short break.
The view from the sun lounger
12:00
A wood-fired oven, a sun lounger, and the sea in the background — exactly the kind of place you'd want to stick around for the rest of the afternoon.
Onward by scooter
12:29
Back on the path, two electric scooters stand ready at the next viewpoint over the bay — the tour gets a second life on wheels.
Day 13 — Wednesday 1 July 2026

Departure day

The last morning arrives — time to load up the car again and start the journey home.

Ready to go
08:13
The car sits loaded in the driveway, the dog resting a little longer before the long drive begins.