info@robinesrock.com
ROBIN ESROCK - BESTSELLING AUTHOR, SPEAKER, TV HOST
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BOOKS
  • SPEAKING
  • BLOG
  • TV
  • PARTNERS
  • MEDIA
    • PHOTOS >
      • Favourite Photos
      • Esrock in Photos
      • Download Bio Photo
      • VIDEO
  • CONTACT

Paint-balling on the Dalmatian Coast

5/8/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
There has been much hype about Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast being the new Riviera, a playground for the fabulously wealthy to parade their yachts and Lecoste uniforms.   It’s true, which is good news if you happen to have an enormous yacht, and a fondness for alligator logos.   If not, it can be punishing for both your budget and your options.
After the unfortunate Balkans war that saw the gorgeous city of Dubrovnik under fire, the Croatian government has pumped millions into their tourist infrastructure with obvious success.    Amongst their investments is a peninsular opposite the Serbia-Montenegrin border called Prevlaka Park.  Originally a quiet village, Prevlaka was invaded and occupied by the Serbs who turned it into a military base.   When NATO moved in, they kicked out the Serbs and handed it to the UN.  Three years ago, the UN handed it back to the Croats, and today you can go shoot your buddies up with paintballs, ride an ATV and free-climb the walls of the old HQ.   Paintballing in authentic Croatian army togs is not for everyone, but it is a welcome distraction from the expensive bars and coffee shops providing entertainment for the Alligator crowd.
Arriving in the Adventure Park, it appeared as if the Tourism Board had given up on adventure travellers – the place was practically deserted.   Later this would please me as I sprayed bullets in every direction in a fit of Jackson Pollock-inspired carnage.   Paintballs have a tendency to bruise, especially when shot at close range, but the only real casualty of the day was a Belgian who passed out from heat exhaustion under the thickness of the army togs.     There is something eerily disturbing about crouching in a thorny field with a gun, in used army uniforms on a military base within view of a former conquering army.  “The Serbs destroyed everything,” explained our whip-smart 16-year-old guide Pero.   Then he showed me his customized gas-powered rifle and we really got into the topic of destruction.   By the end of the day, I was exhausted, with a better understanding about the region’s conflict, and why Belgians make horrendous warriors. ​
Picture
Kayaking to Lokrum Island
Next I joined a kayaking adventure run by the models at Adria Adventures.    The Adriatic on the Dalmatian Coast is sparkling clean and pool blue.  Kayaking in and around the islands of Dubrovnik has become a popular activity, ranging from short day trips to five-day camping expeditions.  My destination was Lokrum Island, which lies just off the Old Town.  My guide, a 6ft 3 water polo hunk named Matko, explained about the island’s dubious history, but the girls in our small group weren’t listening because they were too busy staring at Matko.    We paddled amongst caves, facing the stunning views of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, the surrounding, burnt-out hills and the cruise ships depositing their payload.
On returning a few hours later, the Adria boys, none of whom would look out of place on a ramp in Milan, packed away the gear.   The girls took turn posing between them, big smiles all round, while the guys tried their best not to stare at Ivana, Adria’s friendly manager who is a former Miss Croatia, with cheekbones to carve a turkey.    Paintballing, kayaking, ATV’s, and beautiful people.  My faith was suitably redeemed in Croatia’s appeal to those with big hearts, small budgets, and no love for alligators. ​
Picture
Rooftops of Dubrovnik
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Greetings. 
    ​Please come in. Mahalo for removing your shoes.


    ​After many years running a behemoth of a blog called Modern Gonzo, I've decided to a: publish a book or eight, and b: make my stories more digestible, relevant, and deserving of your battered attention.

    ​Here you will find some of my adventures to over 100 countries, travel tips and advice, rantings, ravings, commentary, observations and ongoing adventures.

    Previously...

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012


    Categories

    All
    Adrenaline
    Adventure
    Africa
    Airports
    Albania
    Alberta
    Anguilla
    Animals
    Antarctica
    Arctic
    Argentina
    Art
    Asia
    Australia
    Backpacking
    Bali
    Beaches
    Belgium
    Bike
    Boats
    Bolivia
    Books
    Brazil
    British Columbia
    Bucket List
    Bulgaria
    Cambodia
    Canada
    Caribbean
    Central America
    Chile
    China
    Climate
    Colombia
    Commentary
    Contests
    Cook Islands
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Cruise
    Cuba
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Diving
    Ecuador
    England
    Estonia
    Ethiopia
    Europe
    Family
    Finland
    Fishing
    Flying
    Food And Wine
    France
    Galapagos
    Gear
    Genealogy
    Georgia
    Germany
    Gift Guide
    Great Britain
    Greenland
    Halloween
    Hawaii
    Hike
    History
    Holland
    Hong Kong
    Horse
    Hotels
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indonesia
    Industry
    Interview
    Iran
    Ireland
    Islands
    Israel
    Issues
    Italy
    Japan
    Jordan
    Lakes
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lithuania
    Malaysia
    Malta
    Mancations
    Mauritius
    Mexico
    Mongolia
    Mountains
    Movies
    Myanmar
    News
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    North America
    North Korea
    Norway
    Nunavut
    Panama
    Papua New Guinea
    Peru
    Philippines
    Photo Galleries
    Portugal
    Quirky
    Rafting
    Reviews
    Rivers
    Road Trip
    Romania
    Russia
    Sailing
    Saudi Arabia
    Scotland
    Ski
    Slovenia
    Snowboard
    South Africa
    South America
    South Korea
    Speaking
    Sponsored
    Sport
    Sri Lanka
    Sustainability
    Sweden
    Taiwan
    Technology
    Thailand
    The Netherlands
    Tibet
    Tourism
    Train
    Transylvania
    Travel Tips
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Ukraine
    United States
    Usa
    Vancouver
    Venezuela
    Victoria
    Vietnam
    Volcanoes
    Water
    Weird
    Winter
    Zanzibar
    Ziplining

    RSS Feed

Picture

Subscribe Now

​
​Subscribe to my newsletter for infrequent inspiration
​

Enter specific and clear language on the intended use of the collected information.

Latest Tweets

Tweets by robinesrock

Quick Links


Books

About

Speaking

Media

TV

Photo

Contact

 Copyright Esrock World Media 2005-2023 

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BOOKS
  • SPEAKING
  • BLOG
  • TV
  • PARTNERS
  • MEDIA
    • PHOTOS >
      • Favourite Photos
      • Esrock in Photos
      • Download Bio Photo
      • VIDEO
  • CONTACT