Rabac : Labin

Tuesday, 9th June.

Having been given a Labin/Rabac bus timetable by Mario, we rode into Labin, intending to have a look around the old town before catching the bus to Rabac, but once we saw the steep road we had to climb, decided to leave it till later as we wouldn't have enough time before the bus came.  There was a taxi parked outside the shop where we bought a drink and when Mike asked the driver how much he would charge to take us to Rabac, only a few kms away, he told us €10 which was just €2 more than it would cost the four of us on the bus, so we drove down the steep, winding road to the coastal town of Rabac in the air conditioned comfort of the taxi!
What a stunning place...touristy, but awesome (pebbled) beaches all around the bay, lots of cafes and the usual souvenir/gift shops everywhere...we strolled around in the shade as much as possible, Mike was the only one who had worn bathers and went in for a cooling swim, then we treated ourselves to a light lunch accompanied by a beer, and booked a boat trip for tomorrow to the island of Cres, when bathers will be a must for all.
The waiter in the bar where we stopped for a refreshing drink obligingly rang our taxi driver, who duly arrived and drove us back to Labin, depositing us in the square below the old town.  First, a double scoop of gelato each, then a walk up and down the cobbled lanes of the town before heading back to the park where we had chained our bikes to a tree.  The downhill ride was great fun but the uphill part was a bit difficult so a little bit of walking was required, followed by a refreshing swim in the camp pool.  The Dutch caravanners had left early this morning and had been replaced while we were out by another Dutch couple with a small daughter.  They are staying in one of the mobil homes here for their last week of their holiday.  Four year old Marre is a total delight and has endeared herself to all of us...we can't understand a word of what she says and vice versa...her parents translate...but she is very entertaining.