Day 15 - Cres to Labin.

Day 15. Cres to Labin. 51km. 4hrs 30.

The morning started with a solid 55 minute climb out of Cres town through olive and pomegranate trees to the top of the spine of the island. The famous Cres white-faced condors were circling. Here we crossed the 45 degree parallel which, if my standard 8 geography serves me correctly, is where the zones change from warm to cool. Sure enough, we were met at the top by the biting Bora headwind, as well as spectacular views over oak forests to Krk island and the mainland. 

We had a long freezing descent to Porozina where we thawed out with hot chocolate while waiting to catch the ferry to Istria. 

Then followed a climb from the ferry port to the coastal road and after a blustery section along the coast, we turned inland for another climb on cobblestones to the old mountain-top village of Labin. We were completely pooped, so fell into the Pizzeria Napoli for a jumbo mexicana and draught Ozujsko.

We enjoyed exploring the old city of Labin with great views towards Cres Island from the ramparts. There are numerous old Romanesque style churches, with Venetian influence ever present. 

Accommodation here should not be judged from the outside. Our room on the old city wall had a really seedy exterior, but inside we found a spotless room with the most comfortable bed and pillows of our trip. (Most of the pillows here are like sacks of mieliemeel). In the small restaurant downstairs we were served a local dish of gnocchi with porcini mushrooms - delicious with a surprisingly good house wine, a Chardonnay from Porec in Istria (WWS 7).

We were faced with the decision of whether to next cycle south to the busy city of Pula with its well preserved Roman amphitheater or to head west across the Istrian Peninsula to wine and truffle country. As is usually the case in our family, the stomach trumps the head, so it's off to Rovinj tomorrow.

Heading north over the 45 degree line of latitude.

A sign to be respected.

Oh #€¥*! No! You're not serious.

From the ramparts of Labin looking back to Cres in the distance.

Detail on the front of the Cathedral with the Venetian lion.

The Old City of Labin.