Lives of Hungry Pirates: August 2007

The Race!

As some of you may know, something absolutely incredible happened while we were in Dubrovnik, Croatia- we were on the set of The Amazing Race!! For avid fans like us, this was the ultimate experience.

It all started when the owner of our guesthouse told us about a rumour he had heard- something about the filming of a TV show that was to take place in the bay outside our seaview room window tomorrow. He thought it was 'fear factor', or something.

We decided to check out the view in the morning and this is what we saw...

It was initally covered up with a garbage bag, but we knew what that shape was... and soon a clue box was revealed in all its red and yellow glory!

Before too much longer a team came sprinting down an alley leading to the bay, followed by their crew- instructed to wait until their crew was ready before opening and reading their clue

Needless to say, we followed the making of the episode around the whole town and saw quite a few of the challenges. Not to give too much away, but here are a couple more glimpses of what we saw...

One of the teams completing a Roadblock ("a task that only one team member may perform") - that is the directors/producers (or at least someone importants) hand blocking Trent from taking a close up

And now here is Trent (the next day) re-living the challenge, something to do with reconstructing part of Dubrovnik's old walls

A young (but perhaps illegitimate Racer) tries to collect a clue

A fun looking flying fox from the old city walls into Dubrovnik's clear blue waters... would have been a cool relief as the temperature was pushing 40 degrees

And then a boat ride around the city walls... unfortunately this team got off to a tangled start as, unknown to them, they were still roped up to another boat

Looking back to our room from the citywalls, we saw another team arrive

Croatia - The South Bit

We continued our Croatian adventure by heading down the coast, the bus hugging the coastline most of the way, providing spectacular views. We did a bit of island hopping, taking in the sights of Hvar and Korcula Islands, before landing in Dubrovnik.

After a very sweaty walk, we reached the top of Hvar´s fort and were rewarded with a fantastic view of the island and its neighbours

Still enjoying the Italian tradition of a cappuccino for brekky

Hvar glowing in the afternoon sun

Another nice sunset

Grapes ripening on Hvar´s hillside

Off to work for one of Korcula´s waiters

Spying on Korcula diners

Long afternoon shadows

Dubrovnik- the most popular tourist attraction in Croatia for a reason

Croatia - The West Bit

After a teary goodbye, we parted company with my folks- they headed back down under and we headed into Croatia, the start of our eastern European leg. Our first stop was Pula, which still felt quite a bit like Italy- serving many a pizza and pasta. But, to our delight, also had a beach- yeah! Our first swim (not counting the nude Korean bathhouses) since leaving Australia.

Pula - still very much in Roman Empire territory

Rovinj - a beautiful old fishing town on a remarkable circular headland

Someone´s backyard at Rovinj

One of many Vespars in cobblestone alleys we saw posing for photographs

A view from Rovinj´s church tower looking out to the Adriatic Sea

Our next stop down Croatia´s torquoise-watered coast was Zadar - this is the "street" our hotel was located in

A spectacular sunset we were treated to one evening in Zadar

The evenings entertainment - a free orchestral performance in the town square

Week III: The Veneto

For our final week in Italy we moved further east to the region of The Veneto. With Venice as its capital, this area gets plenty of visitors, especially in Summer, so we decided to stay 30 mins out of the Venice crowds at a place called Treviso.

To start, here are some snaps from our time in the ever popular floating city. I can see why it is so special, just wish so many other people didn't have to as well!