Totallympics Annual International Song Contest 2020

[dcro 10,182]

Behind the Checkers: Gorski Kotar

 

 

 

Gorski Kotar is another mountainous region of Croatia, although a smaller one.

 

Just 30-45 minutes drive away from downtown Rijeka, Gorski Kotar is an ideal spot for a spontaneous escape to nature.

 

 

 

Delnice is the main town of the region.

 

 

 

Delnice is also a home to the one and only ski jumping hill in Croatia... If you can call it that.

 

 

 

Some other highlights of the Gorski Kotar region include the Kamačnik canyon.

 

 

 

Zeleni Vir waterall.

 

 

 

And finally the Platak Ski Resort, with its views over the Adriatic Sea.

 

[dcro 10,182]

Behind the Checkers: Istria

 

 

 

We are getting really close to our host town Rijeka now. Next up is Istria.

 

Istria is the largest peninsula of the Adriatic Sea. It is the most Italian-influenced part of Croatia.

 

 

 

Some of the Istrian points of interest include: the Pula Arena.

Constructed between 27 BC and 68 AD, it is now the sixth largest surviving Roman arena anywhere.

 

 

 

 

Croatia is the birthplace of neckties. Back in 2003, the Pula Arena was dressed into one.

 

 

 

Town of Rovinj is known for its old town, which is seemingly placed on a perfectly symmetrical hill.

 

 

 

Motovun is a quintessential hilltop town of Istria. Every summer it hosts a renowned film festival.

 

 

 

Istria is generally known for its fresco paintings. Pictured below is Danse Macabre from Beram.

 

 

 

Brijuni Islands can be found just off the coast of Istria. They used to be a summer residence of the Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito.

It is a place where Tito stored his gifts, which resulted in Brijuni turning into a very weird place today.

 

 

 

One of those gifts is Lanka the elephant. Imported in 1972, she was (and still is!) Indira Gandhi's gift to Tito.

 

[dcro 10,182]

 

A wise man once said: "Keep you friends close and your enemies closer."

 

Someone that every aspiring TISC participant needs to keep close is the Committee. While they are known for their excellence in recognizing the winning material, the inner workings of the Committee remain shrouded in mystery.

 

All we know is that Italy currently rules this secret society.

 

It is time to visit one of Istria's estates and maybe dedicate a song to the Committee!

 

 

 

Rumor has it this is how @Agger and @heywoodu got removed from their Committee duties during the 2018 Jubilee...

 

Spoiler

 

*Disclaimer: We are not asking for trouble. Any mention of the Committee is met with purest intentions.

 

 

[Olympian1010 7,479]

Rovinj - there was a Red Bull Air Race here I believe. I recognize the town from something at least. Also, I love to know more about the Ski Jumping hill after the ceremony @dcro. I love cool venues like that. 
 

Croatia reminds me a lot of the coastal parts of the Western United States. There’s quite a bit of similar scenery. Croatia has some deeper colors though. I really want to visit now.

[dcro 10,182]

1 minute ago, Olympian1010 said:

Rovinj - there was a Red Bull Air Rave here I believe. I recognize the town from something at least.

 

That is correct.

[dcro 10,182]

Behind the Checkers: Kvarner Bay

 

 

 

It is time for one last stop before we reach Rijeka. Let's take a look at the islands of the Kvarner Bay.

 

For starters, we have the Lošinj island.

It is a rather long and thin, but also a high island. Pictured below is the view of the island from its highest point Osorščica (588 m).

 

 

 

Lošinj has been a regular host of the MTB Downhill World Cup for several seasons now.

We do miss sport competitions here on Totallympics...

 

 

 

Town of Rab on the island of the same name is known for its tiny old town.

 

 

 

Having already visited the island of Krk during the team presentations, tonight we will only take a look at the Moon Trail near Baška.

Gotta find out why they are called the Moonwalkers anyway.

 

 

 

And there it is... In the distance, behind the Krk Bridge, we can see the lights of our host town calling us!

 

 

[dcro 10,182]

10 minutes ago, Olympian1010 said:

Croatia reminds me a lot of the coastal parts of the Western United States. There’s quite a bit of similar scenery. Croatia has some deeper colors though. I really want to visit now.

 

I thought it generally looks similar to California too, which I wish to visit one day.

[dcro 10,182]

Behind the Checkers: Rijeka

 

 

 

Welcome to Rijeka!

 

[dcro 10,182]

Behind the Checkers: Rijeka

 

 

 

With its name literally meaning "River", Rijeka is the third largest city in Croatia and the host of the TAISC 2020.

 

Pictured below is the main street, Korzo, with its Clock Tower.

 

 

 

Rijeka is the main shipping port of the country.

 

 

 

Here you can find one of the five preserved lifejackets from RMS Titanic, the only one in Europe.

RMS Carpathia, the ship that came to rescue surviving passengers from the Titanic, was at the time travelling from New York to Rijeka.

 

 

 

And here is the Trsat Castle once again. It is the oldest part of Rijeka.

It will host the Closing Ceremony.

 

 

[Olympian1010 7,479]

4 minutes ago, dcro said:

 

I thought it generally looks similar to California too, which I wish to visit one day.

Somewhat. There are parts of Northern California that look very similar, and maybe some of the Central East mountain parts, but not too much in common with the South outside of the LA Basin. The LA Basin climate is called Mediterranean, but it’s not that similar in my opinion. Croatia actually reminds me more of Coastal California, Oregon, and B.C.; which are all wonderful places which everyone should visit if they get the chance.