When I was visiting [Pula in Croatia](https://peakd.com/hive-163772/@livinguktaiwan/pula-arena-the-2000-year-old-ampitheatre) last year, the season hadn't started yet and the city was still quite dead. There wasn't too much to do there, and one day I took a 45 minutes bus ride to Rovinji, a town about 40km away. Rovinji is a lovely fishing port and had a nice buzzing vibe, very different from Pula. A very welcoming sight when I arrived. ![1000034425.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/23zbHUAP3M6kRNrqDoTfeES2evbyPUWZq6cCjVVGCYh6Ad8CZkhCah5SiL9Bfvgm4eb44.jpg) The sea was as clear as crystal in the harbour, and no matter where I walked, I could always see the tower from the Basilica of St. Euphemia.

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/Eqd7aRsJJdZLev3JqvpW1gtBBZekAUB7L3M9vPLsvVQCsQv3mgZU6RzC2zuoNicP7PJ.jpg

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/EowFdyBRSseT1jD8eHyEN5JuHmzzTZpNiRhY1yPErDX3u4fmRFHGWmsMhGidpTbtdUY.jpg

![PXL_20250403_104436533.MP(1).jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/243LxV8hvqqkcctHJWpQ4aBqkKHNPeHqzr8Erh8MnjprrufWfs9RRi7yhBSSj15hr9J39.jpg) Despite Rovinji being busier than Pula, it wasn't too crowded with people, and didn't feel as desolate as Pula. I felt the old town was nice for a walkabout, and had some interesting buildings, including one that looked like it was wearing two halves of a giant t-shirt. ![1000034434.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/23wgQ1DKMiAvZj8K9ajgthsdjpfdL3jeNgQsXR9ZXd97MfT4ZPXU6vEgAG7JDL95o3iKn.jpg)

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/EpEGm8iJMybPEk7HYP2PYdmfTFjGMYU69VQa1AbYzTSVxJFR8m5dKqHeUfJ8vJNrYWX.jpg

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/EprSAdCvSXT6Ge5wZ7bS41k616V6Nd8YjQUN5svuuwUo5acM2DzPmzaHkp4iWyMyXrb.jpg

![livinguktaiwan divider.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/fuGLEHxS-livinguktaiwan20divider.png) The basilica was a short walk up the hill, going pass one of the many cobblestone lanes. As they say, every road leads to Rome, as long as you see the tower, it doesn't matter which path you take, you'll get there eventually. I just let myself get lost amongst the myriad of lanes, and see what greets me. White cat and blue shutters, not bad, I'll take that. ![1000034429.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/EpEFpD7Dkd8wvofQo24BHi3ZpvCGh3kV48QWWqxQb22CGycZp4ybsRUkFQngNLtkqc3.jpg)

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/EowGYarSHy1wuDQUEmD4FHantHfQ3pGAz9RYJ8XzxNQnXSTHKxvvWrjgNkjh7jeemBQ.jpg

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The tower didn't look as impressive as it was from down the marine, it looked a lot more majestic from far away. I felt it was a little anti climax. You know when you want something that is beyond reach , and when you finally get your hands on it, it's like ... is that it? There were a handful of other visitors who had braced the uphill walk in the sun like us. And we were all rewarded with a lovely view of the Adriatic Sea with Italy far beyond. Interesting trivia, did you know Venice in Italy is actually much nearer to Rovinji than Split in Croatia? ![1000033401.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/23ynMzRV3EKvapMrCQsJYXzxxsXc2muNjLybvxWnmzxKivLsaCYec1os8dYQGnA5EVcuE.jpg) ![PXL_20250403_122627710.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/243LtmhBP63k5CjmzAvQyQzvVJHnrpdMkSELUCp4Be3SKLBn5waTHqQJcw2CtmENr3rMB.jpg) --- This is Grisia Street and is the main street running from the marina through the old town to the Basilica. My photos doesn't really do it justice due to the shade from the houses on both sides. The street is on a slight slope, and there were a few shops selling local products. It was quite picturesque though but I can imagine it being less so in summer when it's jam packed with people. Travelling off peak has its advantages sometimes.

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/EpGRhYg3ERtdPqRNXdwie3eBZR3ujZ8h5CDbTRK71fAHYp5yiLmSrLWrzZfK65eVZeK.jpg

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/EoK3xMuXjqMN2Caw2HYNAQzSRWnixwwS6kkkR1YDJ2Vct714dWY5c19tZEvkdjETzMD.jpg

![PXL_20250403_125701755(1).jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/23z7LGrBhobQpQPhNBs1U9xDMJLtDbpimjwVCkvFG1zY1Z2rhhiUTdQYwcMogysasrYYU.jpg) ![livinguktaiwan divider.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/fuGLEHxS-livinguktaiwan20divider.png) I spent the rest of the afternoon chilling out in a cafe by the seaside. Its location was a little obscure and took me a while to find it. That was ok though, I didn't mind the stroll and extra walk, it was very interesting to see more of the old town.

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/EoGx1tXMG5Tkd7HfV5HUJxXMkPWgXbNyq7pxC7R3UjcmJRwJi4eNnkEcF59RwKUMfB6.jpg

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Finally I found the cafe by the sea. And when I say by the sea, I really mean by the sea. The cafe is built into the cliff and there are some seats with comfy cushions. We we lucky and nabbed a few seats here, squashing next to some other people. It was quite busy when we arrived! Then there were other tables with some low stools. Not the most comfortable if you are tall, but you get to sit literally next to the sea. You can't get a coffee closer to the sea than this. The whole setup was very relaxing and great to chill out for a couple of hours. Just make sure you don't feed the mermaids!!!

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/241tWikr4Sewr483sku2mNtDZETrkv6RqvV5GQodi6iAUpEvZXV47QqzNMFwPmgNFEour.jpg https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/243Lvqmd5Am58d3UD1Z5FwBsU98eQiEGBjkCCCyNVs6x2p98PmeV9Ky9UA4Su1rRfAega.jpg

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/livinguktaiwan/EowEE4mDsHZ5yDGYuGR4jGfNt4eYXaRVX62oJasQysPL2tZ1WAakqXHq9BDi56pAqVg.jpg

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#### You can check out all my travel posts on the Worldmappin [here](https://www.worldmappin.com/@livinguktaiwan) or click below

[//]:# (!worldmappin 45.081784 lat 13.631142 long d3scr)

found some amazing mermaids here in Costa Rica at envision festival