CROATIA, Island life

Croatia – Island Life

Jumping off the 2.5-hour flight from Stockholm to Croatia into the beautiful blue skies and the 35-degree weather was happiness! We were lucky enough to come here last year, just Wilda and I, while Harley was still in the stomach, this was to be different again now that he’s out in the world and an insanely active 9-month-old with plenty of his own opinions! None the less we couldn’t wait to get back to this place we fell in love with.

Travelling with an infant has its challenges that’s for sure! Our luggage increased a huge amount, I can’t get over how such a little person requires so much stuff! Wilda’s parents met us at the airport and drove us to the beautiful seaside town of Punat, where they own an apartment- 200 meters from amazing turquoise water and only 100m from one of the best outdoor gym’s I’ve been too (shocked face). After 4 days of broken up travel, it finally felt like holiday mode. The food in Croatia is some of my favorite, fresh seafood, and amazing tasting meats- safe to say I would order my standard meat platter every night for dinner, maybe pancakes and ice creams for dessert…..nightly! (can’t help myself)

Everywhere you walk around this little town, ice cream vendors are, there is no escaping the amazing tastes of countless flavors!

I knew I was going to enjoy myself with the food and desserts here, food is and always has been a weak area for me- I love it so much I don’t really have an off button when it comes to eating…. Those who know me actually refer to me as a Labrador (slightly embarrassing to admit publicly, but the truth none the less) But hey, everyone is like that on holiday right? I mean you go away to unwind from your normal day to day life and treat yourself to sleep ins and ultimately food, holiday mode doesn’t have to be the time to completely let yourself go, In saying that, I have found you can still enjoy all the food and drink you want to, if you allow for it in your daily activities.

My tips for eating what you want and enjoying yourself, but keeping off the fat are:

1. Instead of lying on the beach and having the occasional quick dip to cool down, I would make it a goal to swim (500m to 1km) twice a day, yes this was exercise but swimming in the beautiful waters and watching the fish made it seem more like a privilege than a chore, it also burns calories and give you a great full body workout, you don’t need to swim like Phelps either but get out there and put that extra energy from the ice cream to good use.

2. The island was full of fig trees and amazing fruits, we snacked on these and made it our aim to get up every morning and go for a workout (if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen my workout spam 😉 ) and finish that off by walking around picking fresh figs, a sweet, candy alternative!

3. Walk as much as you can! This is obviously not always possible depending on where you holiday, but it can still be done! We walked down to the beach and super market every day instead of driving, not only does this make you exercise without really thinking about it, you see more of your destination and if you don’t have a car, you’re saving money on transportation to- 3 ticks!

4. I have written a full post about this previously, but probably my biggest tip is using IM (intermittent fasting) while on holidays- hang with me here… I know you are probably thinking I just said you can eat what you want and now you’re reading the word “fasting” but this is how you can do it. The least favored meal of the day for me while away is breakfast, I sleep in more, eat dinner later, so I’m not as hungry as I normally would be. Given that, I typically don’t eat until midday-1pm as I know I really want to pig out in the afternoon and especially at dinner! Using this method allows me to have fun and eat big dinners, maybe a few beers and socialize over dinner without having to be that anti-social guy in the corner weighing his food or knocking back a slice of bread- LIVE A LITTLE!

Punat-I love it here, everything is so peaceful, it’s a town for families to unwind, no yacht week or crazy day parties here – Punat is on the island of Krk and is more well known for its olive picking and lazy days by the beach more than anything else! I knew it already after visiting Phi Phi Island many times, but island life is for me. The family goals are to live on an island (we have a few in mind) for at least 4 months a year! The people are friendlier, everything is easy and people aren’t stressed- no tooting horns or road rage, just flashing smiles and greetings- the way life should be.

Those holiday workouts…

For Wilda and I, working out together and exercising is part of our lives, this probably increases even more while in holiday mode, rather than lazy days not doing much, we have been getting up (mainly thanks for Harley) at 530am then off to do our morning routine of hill sprints and then some type of strength training- a great way to start the day before heading home to get ready for the beach. It’s also nice to get some alone time with Wilda, even if we are both gasping for air and red in the face!

Harley’s first real dose of hot weather and some beach action has been heaps of fun, he loves the water and as long as he’s moving and keeping entertained, has been so well behaved. Wilda and I only have ourselves to thank for the fact Harley literally can’t sit still- which always calls for activity filled days! Thank god for the help of Wilda’s parents and Wilda herself being so amazing with Harley! Harley doesn’t sit still for a second (not an exaggeration, I promise) that I’m exhausted after 30 mins with him! Mum’s, I don’t know how they do it…. Hat’s off to you all!

Seven days in amazing Punat and I am genuinely sad to leave, something about the place and the love for island lifestyle inside of me really draws me to these places and I find it pretty depressing to leave. I can’t wait to be back next year for a longer period of time.

If you’re ever in this amazing country that is Croatia, do yourself a favor and stop by the island of Krk, spend some time in the picture perfect coastal towns scattered all around and enjoy the people and wonderful food.