Leaving Croatia

This morning, Vannah took her last run on Banje Beach and Michael devoured his last Burek. Tomorrow, we pack 5 large suitcases, 2 backpacks, and Baby Vannah in a BMW station wagon and road trip it north. Destination: Zermatt, Switzerland, with a short stay first in Milan… I can taste the Risotto alla Milanese now.

As a farewell to Croatia, I’m sharing this final collection of images I shot over the weekend with my friend Ana, a photographer from Zagreb. I met Ana three years ago at a photo workshop in Istria, and this weekend, she made the drive down to Dubrovnik—her hometown—to see me once more. She led me through hidden corners of the city, places I never would have known to look.

To those we have met along the way:

Ana, Ema, Brane, Mikula, Mila, Kornelija (the Bosnian Cheese Smuggler), Morana, Borna, Tamara, Sandra, and many other Peka chefs, beekeepers, wine makers, and overall fans of Vannah: Thank you for your friendship and hospitality. You’ve shown us the true heart of Croatia, where time moves a little slower, coffee is like air, the sea heals all, and there’s always room at the table.

Until we meet again… pomalo.