Kayaking in Pag – A Magnificent Mishap Part 1

The original plan was to go kayaking in the Adriatic Sea on the island of Pag on my birthday. However, there were some last-minute changes by the company, so I had to do it a day earlier, on the 17th. My taxi arrived at 7 am, and we set off at 07:02. The drive was overwhelming! We passed through Rocky Mountains that stretched on for miles, and the scenery was simply mesmerising. I couldn't resist the urge to take pictures, but I also wanted to fully enjoy the moment. The road was empty, and it felt like I was back in the Jebel Jais Mountains in Ras Al-Khaimah. As we headed towards the Adriatic Sea, we crossed into the Island of Pag, passing through small and tranquil towns like Rtina, Miškovići, and Dinjiska. It was a truly unforgettable journey. Except the 'forgotten' part where I took a nap.

When I arrived in Metajna, things got a bit chaotic. I had thirty minutes before my meeting, so I decided to explore. There were three possible routes, but I made the mistake of choosing the wrong one. It happens, right? But hey, sometimes the wrong turns lead to the best adventures (and more expensive). The scorching heat embraced my skin, like a warm and cosy hug. As I stood amidst the rocky cliffs, with clear blue skies above me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and confusion. Despite my optimism, I found myself going in the wrong direction, guided by the sight of houses that I assumed would lead me to the hut-like office for the kayak tour. Families were enjoying their time in the front gardens of their homes that were designed to keep out the heat. Some were sipping on cold beers, while others were returning from local supermarkets with their groceries. However, when I asked for directions, I was met with a simple response of "No English" in a surprisingly good English accent.

Lost and unsure, I ended up in the most random location on a hill. It was then that a woman, who was out for her jog, came to my rescue. She advised me to keep going up, saying, "I'm here on holiday too, and I think that's the right way." Despite my doubts, I decided to trust her words and continued my walk. Once I reached the top, I stumbled upon a rusty concrete basketball court that seemed abandoned for a while, surrounded by overgrown bushes. Little did I know, the scorching heat meant I might encounter some cold-blooded creatures. And sure enough, a lizard scurried across me, giving me quite a fright! Deciding to skip going into the bushes, I sought help from a friendly French couple in a van, but their English and Wi-Fi didn't cooperate. So, I took a risk and made an expensive call to the tour providers, with only fifteen minutes left to find the location. They directed me to take a left and go straight based on my surroundings. Along the way, I passed by charming little grocery stores receiving their deliveries, with dogs peacefully lounging outside. The locals looked at me with confusion, but I finally made it to the beach only to realize I was back where I started! It was already 9am, and I was officially late. Determined not to give up, I called the tourist office and managed to find English speakers who guided me to the correct destinations, all of them saying, '1km that way.' The lady from the tour providers called me and informed me that I was at the wrong beach. So, I trudged back uphill to the exact location where I was dropped off and realized that instead of thirty minutes of wandering, I only needed to go straight for a five-minute walk. Amidst all the chaos and panic, I found solace in the heat as I aimlessly wandered, trying to decide where to go. Eventually, I stumbled upon the right beach and the views were nothing short of phenomenal. The water's colour perfectly mirrored the sky, and the surrounding mountains added to the impressive view. Despite being late and missing my group, I couldn't bear to not go kayaking here. I rescheduled for the following day at 3pm, determined to experience the surreal joy of kayaking here. As I waited for the taxi back to Zadar, on the bright side (pun intended) I roasted under the sun with joy.