Just so that I could hopefully cover all of them before it gets dark, I made my way at 8.10am.
Šibenik
Arrived into Šibenik at about 9.50am, which was another medieval town. The first spot I came to was the Cathedral of St. James, which appeared to be under renovation internally when I was there. It's on the UNESCO World Heritage List since September 2000.
The town is also famous for it's 4 fortresses - one on an island, St. John's Fort (closed currently), St. Michael's Fort and Baron Fortress.
I attempted to make my way to both the 2 latter fortresses, but didn't enter them as they were too pricey in my opinion. I only wanted the views and I could get the same just outside the entrance.
Trogir
Next stop Trogir, which I reached at about 11.45am. The original parking spot I was intending to go to was blocked as the connecting bridge was under construction. So I managed to find a spot on a dead end street and parked like a local!
Trogir main attraction is the Old Town, located on a small island, connected by 2 bridges (one on each opposite end). The town had been earmarked as UNESCO World Heritage.
Attractions included the Cathedral
Kamerlengo Castle - it was closed when I went by.
The Promenade - lined with palm trees.
I didn't stay too long, and made my way by about 12.20pm.
Unfortunately mid way to the next destination Klis Fortress, I had to throw out all my plans for the day as I met an accident at about 12.45pm.
I had come to an intersection and had come to a stop, looked both ways, and noting that it was clear, I started driving. But just then I spotted a car too late and I crashed into the other car. As I had hardly any speed, it was only cosmetic damage (mine more than his), and no one was hurt. However the other party was an old guy who could only speak Croatian, so there was no way of communicating with him.
All I could understand was that he was going to get the police involved. I had no idea what the protocol was, so just had to go according to what he suggested. The police took a while to come and when they did, they took some pictures of the accident, made us do a breath analyser and I was asked to go to the police station to do up a case report, while the other driver was allowed to leave.
It took a while but as I had committed also a traffic violation for going through an intersection without stopping (even though I did, but because I didn't cross it safely, that was still regarded as without stopping), I was slapped with a very hefty fine. It was originally HRK 4,000 + HRK 500 for paperwork. But the police was able to discount 1/3 of the HRK 4,000, and I had to still pay HRK 2,667 + 500 = HRK 3,117 (Euro 420 or SGD 625).
I had to pay it otherwise I will not get my passport or driving licence back. I asked if I could pay in Euro but they only accepted Kuna, so the police had another of his colleague bring me to a money changer to get Euro changed.
I did try to ask if I could get a further discount on the fine but unfortunately got no where. The police was professional and been nice to me through the process though.
By the time I was done with the whole thing, paying fine and all, it was already about 3pm.
Seeing as I was not too far from Klis, I decided to make one last stop before heading into the hostel in Split.
I got to the top at about 3.30pm and the views on the top was fantastic. It was extremely windy though.
There is a cost to go into the fortress which I thought was rather expensive so just took some pics. It would had been a great spot to catch the sunset but I wasn't much in the mood any more and also I wanted to get to Split before dark, as I was unsure the damage of the car when driving in the night.
Parking at the nearest parking to Split Old Town was extremely expensive at HRK 15 (Euro 2) for an hour. The most expensive parking I had in Croatia thus far.
I followed the Google maps direction to get to hostel, which led me through the basement of the Diocletian Palace and up a flight of stairs straight into the Peristyle - my jaw dropped as I walked into the square. It was architecturally amazing!
It did take me a while to find Downtown hostel since it wasn't marked very well, and after climbing 3 flights of stairs I finally made it.
I was asked to let myself in and find the keys and check in on my own. I dropped off my bags and quickly headed back out to return the car. Unfortunately as its winter, the Sixt rental office worked shorter hours and I was told to go in the next day to do up some paperwork for the car damage, which I will need as part of my insurance claim (thankfully I had car rental excess on the travel insurance I got in Singapore, but it still won't cover the full amount).
I think the entire damage and fine cost me about Euro 700 or SGD 1,000. A very expensive mistake 😭
I had been replaying the whole incident in my head numerous times and couldn't understand why I didn't spot the car. I could only come up with 2 conclusion - the sun was rather bright and it blindsided me, and that I also defaulted to Singapore mode of driving ie. Left hand driving, so I looked right left right, when in fact I should look left right left, since I would have to cross the junction with traffic coming from my left first, before I turn into the road where traffic comes from my right.
Something to remember when I next drive on the roads with right hand driving.
I have to put this behind me, and just move on. The good thing was that no one was hurt, and it's a monetary loss.
Tomorrow's a brand new day. Split looks like a pretty town to explore so will focus back on trip tomorrow.
Another bad news.. I discovered I have Euro 160 missing from my money belt. The only place I can think of that may had resulted in the loss is at the hostel in Zadar, as I kept the money belt inside the locker using a key provided by the hostel.
This leg hasn't been eventful and a lot of monetary loss 😞
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