Day 48: Split, Croatia - The Roman Ruins Do Not Stop

The cathedral in Diocletian's Palace.

I arrived in Split at about 2 PM, after a very harmless bus ride from Dubrovnik. Being high tourist season, i.e. the excuse Croatians make for over-charging on everything, I was unable to secure accommodation before arriving. After poking my nose into a few hostels, one offered me a spot on their couch in the common room for 150 kuna (about $30). I declined it but did hop on their internet to try and find something better. About five minutes later a girl came in asking for accommodation and was made the same offer, and made the same decision. 

Recognizing a friend in shared misery, I proposed that we search for accommodation together since we'd probably have better luck. Sure enough, we landed a private apartment for 150 kuna each. Eat it, high-season hostels. As chance would have it, she was from Hong Kong, so we were able to deliberate in front of proprietors in a language they didn't understand while they deliberated in front of us in a language we didn't understand. Eat it, home field advantage.

Split is Croatia's second largest city and more or less in the middle of the Dalmatian coast. Its claim to fame is housing Diocletian's Palace, built almost 2000 years ago by its eponymous Roman emperor. Interestingly, instead of leaving it alone, Split has simply built in the palace. It's large enough to house apartments, stores, churches, etc. I'm not sure if that's resourceful or destructive.

More of Diocletian's Palace.

Outside of the palace, Split is very much like what I've come to expect. There's lots of cafes, restaurants, and little walkways on the shore. And of course, this being Croatia, it had its fair share of Italian elements. I'm beginning to think that Rome should charge royalties for all the tourism money different countries generate due to the presence of Roman imperial elements. I've dumped at least a few hundred dollars into them alone on this trip.

A little piazza on the shore.

Cafes on the shore.

At dinner I shared a table with an Aussie couple. The man happened to be a teacher and we waxed poetically about the merits of that field. We met up with the Hong Kong girl later on for a few drinks and conversation by the sea.