Rijeka's Mayor

His name is Vojko Obersnel and he has been serving this town for three terms (ending next year). Because of this hardworking Mayor (who resembles Family Guy the cartoon), this town has seen many projects completed and new ones springing up like mushrooms all over it! The most significant has got to be the Rijeka-Zagreb highway. The government here is well known for being slow in the construction of anything in this country. So the Mayor of Rijeka took pictures of crowded Rijeka road and sent it to the relevant offices constructing the highway EVERY single day. Yes.. imagine how this irritated the hell out of the people in the offices! Good job!

The most amazing thing is I found his Blog. In Singapore, one will never find a Mayor or blog belonging to any MP (Member of Parliament). Don't ask me why. And in his Blog which unfortunately is written in Croatian, he wrote posts about the upcoming projects in Rijeka. His love for the town. And he even answered any comments left by his citizens on his Blog. That is such a wonder to see. The Mayor listening to his citizens!!! Without further ado, here is Obi's Blog for your pleasant viewing!

Travelling to Croatia

Just a little travel information for those who have this urge to pop by this country called Croatia. This is one thing that you need to do before you can travel in peace in Croatia. No joke. Don't say that I didn't tell you!!

To all travellers travelling to Croatia:
Please report to your local police station with the owner of the property (if you are staying at a private accommodation as opposed to hotels) and the relevant papers within 24 hours of your arrival in Croatia (if you reach anytime after 6pm please report early next morning at 7am). Or else face a fine of 500kn (1EUR=7,1Kn) if you are stopped by any police officer. You can also be detained at the police station until further notice and BANNED from entering Croatia ever again.

So please take note!!!

Ramadan time

Here's to all my Muslim friends who are celebrating the end of Ramadan.

Why do I choose this topic today? Well.. I haven't been keeping track with this important month for the Islamic religion ever since I left Singapore. Not that there aren't any Muslims in Croatia but I believe they belong to the minority (Bosnian Muslims). There are no mosques like one would see in Singapore. (In Singapore, one can find a Muslim Mosque, Indian Temple and Christian Church on the same street and even side by side.)

It's odd not to hear prayers like I used to when I was living in the northern part of Singapore where the Muslim population is more dominant. It's odd not to hear someone telling us not to eat in their presence when they are fasting.

For my part of the town, the Mayor has plans to build a Mosque for the Muslim minorities. This must be a big step for the Muslim population in Croatia which has been ignored for ages.

To end my post, well wishes for all Muslims out there. In Singapore, the end of Ramadan is celebrated by the important Hari Raya Puasa! So Selamat Hari Raya Puasa!! :)

Change of Season!

Yeap the Autumn is here. No more Summer weather where the heat is enough to melt my skin even indoors. The Bura is back. Those chilly and piercing winds that have started to gain momentum over here and making a comeback. Time for me to pack up my Summer clothes and replace them with all the jackets to keep myself really warm.

Guess my body is still adjusting to the change in temperatures from 30s to 15 degrees Celsius this week. Over in Zagreb area, the lowest temperatures can go as low as 7 degrees C. Really cold in my opinion especially when accompanied by the notorious Bura.

All right. For those of you who are living in the temperates like me, take care of yourself. I need to nurse my cold too.