Highlights Cruise Day 10-Split, Croatia

I took an excursion for an “only available here so buy now” shopping opportunity. People have to eat. I bought a tiny vial of lavender essential oil (puzzling name, I didn’t have to buy it). It was the only thing that would fit in my carry on bag. Split’s most notable feature is Diocletian’s fortress, palace, retirement home, and mausoleum. How’s that for a multi-use facility? Split was used as a location for the fourth season of Game of Thrones (lost on me). Souvenirs related to the series are in every shop.

For the tourists

I seriously hope these guys have day jobs

A Roman Ruin?

Or just parking lot construction?

So cool!

Benches with solar panels to charge tourist phones.

Here’s your sign

If you don’t know that beach wear isn’t cathedral wear, your parents should be slapped!

Notable Items

Emperor Diocletian was an enthusiastic persecutor of Christians, but it didn’t have much effect (they ignored him). He had a mausoleum in the palace, but his remains are long gone. No one knows what happened to them, but we do know that relics of the bishop Diocletian had executed were put in their place. How’s that for payback?

The excursion went to the Stella Croatica facility for a tour. They produce olive oil, essential oils, soaps (olive oil based), and speciality foods (jam, date loaves, etc.). We had a light snack with a presentation on olive oil quality accompanied by taste testing to compare virgin oil with poorer quality oil (70% of what is sold). The Romans had such disdain for poor quality oil that they used it primarily for lamps (thus its other name, lamp oil).

There was a large table in the center of the factory shop with olive oil test stations (oil in bowls, bread cubes in little baskets). I remained behind when the store emptied before bus departure and gorged myself on the samples. I was probably captured on the security cameras. What, me worry?