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The time between "hello" and "goodbye" has been much too short.  It seems as though we just arrived at the Zagreb airport, where we happily spotted J.D. as soon as we arrived in the baggage area.

We have been anticipating our visit to Croatia to see Caroline, Alison, Laura, and J.D. ever since they left New York state to go to Croatia.  Needless to say, we have missed them even though we have been able to be in amazingly good touch through phone calls, e-mail, Skype, and, of course, their wonderful blog.  (Thank you technology!)  But there is nothing like a hug to help erase the frustrations of distance and we have shared many of those over the past eight days.  J.D., Laura, Alison, and Caroline have been amazing hosts, guides really, helping us to understand what it is like to spend a significant amount of time living and working in another country and helping us to appreciate as well the beauty of Croatia.

Caroline with Grandma & Grandpa in Krk Town on the island of Krk

We knew, of course, that we would be thrilled to see our family (an understatement!) but, although we had done a lot of reading about Rijeka and Croatia, we were unprepared for our reaction to Croatia.

Vodnjan, a small town in Istria

It is fascinating and astoundingly beautiful--the history, the architecture, the beauty of the landscape, the people all combine to create an experience that is unforgettable.

Thanks to our wonderful guides, each day has brought experiences that will remain vivid in our memories--travels through Istria and the islands and mainland of the Kvarner Gulf (including some challenging roads!), exploring towns and villages that unself-consciously make accessible hundreds or even thousands of years of varied history, sharing amazing meals reflecting the quality and variety of the local cuisine, interacting with Croatians who have been warm and welcoming...as well as patient about our rudimentary attempts to speak their language--or at least be polite.  How many times have we said, "It can't possibly get better than this!"  And it has!

Grandpa/ Dad/ David in the
(supposedly) smallest town in the world, Hum

Most of all, though, we have a mental scrapbook of wonderful images of our granddaughters:

Caroline on the Korzo in Rijeka



Alison just outside of Rovinj in Istria

• showing us their apartment (fabulous view of the Rijeka harbor!) and, of course, their rooms
• navigating their environment in Rijeka
• Alison doing some serious shopping at Rijeka's Tower Centre (great taste, Alison!)
• watching Caroline and Alison joyously riding their scooter...on the Korzo in Rijeka, at the harbor in Krk Town, on the sidewalks of Rovinj.
• both climbing around the Roman Amphitheater in Pula and Caroline's excitement at finding some pretty sizable snails visiting the site as well
• dipping their toes--with their parents!--in the Adriatic while at a quiet seaside just outside of Cres Town
• and so much more.

In the town of Fažana, looking out at the Brijuni Islands, in Istria

What a privilege it has been to share their experience of Croatia with Laura, J.D., Alison, and Caroline.  They have been kind and generous hosts and have helped us to understand both the allure and the challenges of their adventure.

In Opatija

Kastav, just outside of Rijeka

Thank you for an amazing week.  The time has just passed too quickly.  We will have to go back to missing you but now we will be able to imagine you in your temporary home.

Hvala!

Phyllis and David/ Mom and Dad/ Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Alison in Rovinj