The Croatian keyboard

Well.. seems like besides getting used to the weather, food, culture and language, the keyboard is also different in Croatia. I'm so used to the American keyboard in Singapore. Take a look at my keyboard (sorry it's dirty!). You will find the keys for X and Z switched. The lovely @ is no longer attached to his lover 2 but as to settle for a lower position and a strange new guy called V. The usual places for my : ; } are being squeezed out to accommodate the croatian letters Č Ć Ž Š Đ. Initially it was quite a challenge for me to type as all the letter are everywhere. But now I have to look at the keyboard when I type. Even the British keyboard isn't this much of a headache, mate!
Enough of rambling... off I go to get my ručak!

All fogged up!

It was a really strange day in Rijeka yesterday. The weather was exceedingly warm that for a moment I thought Summer is here! It was till we drove to town centre later on that I realised half of the town was covered in Fog. It was so foggy as you can see in the pictures. But it did not affect our part of the town as we are at one of the highest point in Rijeka. The lower or closer one travelled toward the sea, the foggier it became. We are not meteorologists so we could only speculate this phenomenon occurred because due to the intermingling of cold and warm currents. Counties further eastern reported temperatures of 22 degrees C for this time of the year. This is expected to last a few days.
Today even we are not spared from the incoming fog!

Weather Report for Croatia

Living in Croatia, I have to come to terms with the weather. Of course, I can't expect it to be like sunny Singapore everyday. So there are days (sometimes for a continuous week) of rain. And being close to the Adriatic Coast (or I prefer to call it Jadran), we get our fair share of blasting winds though unlike the sweep-me-off-my-feet type in Senj. So here's what I learnt from my limited Croatian on Croatian weather reports on TV:

• Sunce - anything: means I expect to see sunshine! YAY!!
• Bura: Strong winds that seem to pierce through my coat like knives and make me understand what CHILLY means! But no rains! Just woo woo woo winds...
• Jugo: Light winds. Warm weather. But...(I need to caps this) BUT it means a week-long RAIN (sometimes for 3 or more days)! Ooh Hoo! We brought the dreary London weather here! Run! Hide! Get your brollies out!
  

That's all from your Sing-Cro Radio channel for the day! Stay tuned! *static* *fading*

My love - Octopus Salad (Salata od hobotnice)

Image taken from www.theage.com.au
Photo taken by Eddie Jim.

Let me introduce my favourite Croatian dish - the famous Octopus Salad. You can get this dish in almost any Croatian seafood restaurants. It is prepared mediterranean style... Blanched octopus accompanied by potatoes, tomatoes or peppers. Salt and pepper for seasoning. And a generous drizzle of good ol' Olive Oil. Not forgetting a handful of chopped Parsley for decoration (a la Mediterranean). Simply wonderful!
I recalled the only times I get to see any octopus (just the tentacle) in Singapore were in Japanese supermarket. Each section of the tentacle for a whopping S$10!
Octopus has just a rich taste. I love it for its chewiness which no squid or cuttlefish can replace! Cooked squids are usually tasteless. But for octopus, it retains its memory of being part of the sea family.
Can't till the next time we get that at home again!

Go away or I'll Shoot!

Oh wish I could tell that to smokers. Hey. I have nothing against you trying to kill yourself with that cancer-stick. Stay 5 metres away from me when I am in a caffe bar or restaurant. I do not, I repeat, DO NOT, wish to die with you or from second hand smoke.
I've totally forgotten how irritating smokers are when they lit up in a food serving area or in caffee. Singapore has banned smoking in those areas since I can't remember when. What's worse than getting my hair stinking like I burnt it is the smell on my fingers as though I am the smoker myself.
It is amazing that smoking is glorified instead of condemned over here. Shoo shoo smoker. Go hide somewhere else to smoke.
Can't wait for the new laws to prohibit smoking in caffe bar this year!!

Riječki Karneval 2008 - Finale

They were representatives of the part of Rijeka we live in - Pehlin

The Karneval officially ended on 3rd February with a day long street procession. The last group of performers were known as the Zvončari. Men dressed as beasts with a huge bell behind. The Pust was burnt to rid off the bad luck of the past year.


A parade of Vikings

My thoughts after catching the famous Karneval for the first time: it was very festive. It seemed the whole town was lit up in celebration. Everyone were on the streets despite the dreary weather throughout the weekend.

Cake, anyone?

The children had their bit of fun few weeks ago with their mini procession which we caught on tv as we were able to get into town centar. Everyone were dressed up. The little children were little fairies, bees, butterflies and cute animals for the occasion. Adults did not miss out on the fun too. A drunk Jesus-lookalike near the sea. A tree stood next to the traffic light pole which we almost walked into. Big men in dresses, fake hair, stockings and all. Very hilarious sight. Teletubbies wobbling down the streets. I couldn't believe this was the same town Rijeka. Maybe you see more disorderliness but it was so much fun!

We have umbrellas! Who's scared of the RAIN?!

It reminded me so much of the Chingay festival we have in Singapore after Chinese New Year. But in Rijeka, everyone joined in the fun. It felt different. Next year, I will be there again without fail!
I do apologise for the bad photos. Everyone's moving!! Bad weather!! Hahah.. Blame everything except the photographer:P

The eskimos breezing through...

Riječki Karneval Part I

Streets were decorated with ribbons since January. Really beautiful and festive everywhere. Occasionally you will find the Pust (a man like figure dressed in suit) which will be burned at the end of the Karneval to rid of bad luck. Here's a few pictures of the town.