I like a glass of dry red with dinner — but find myself drinking less and less over the years.
This might help. The cheap wine in Montenegro is Plantaže Vranac. Dark, robust.
Not quite as good as my favourites: Syrah and Malbec. But close.
I carry it in a Diet Coke bottle. Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink. 😀
Kold is one of the top YouTubers when it comes to special effects.
In this edit of their trip through Mauritania, he integrates A.I. into the story.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I went back to Zagreb for the excellent European Gymnastics Championships 2026.
I stayed near the historic centre, Ban Jelačić Square.
Nearby is the popular Dolac Market.
This stall-holder didn’t seem to mind the pigeons checking her wares. 😀
Zagreb Cathedral is one of the most important symbols of Zagreb and Croatia.
A March 2020 earthquake did a lot of damage. The Church didn’t reopen to tourists until April 2026.
Full reconstruction of the spires may take another 10 – 15 years.
In China they’d fix it in a month.
One of my big complaints about Europe is that many of the most important attractions are covered with scaffolding.
Saint Mark’s Church is even more evocative for me.
King Tomislav Square greets visitors across from the railway station. This is the Art pavilion.
I walked the Green Horseshoe from here. A U-shaped ribbon of parks, botanical gardens, and fountains in the Lower Town. All that green space is useful as the rest of the city is filled with second hand smoke. About 38% of the adult population of Croatia is addicted. Many of those are chain smokers.
Croatia officially declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991. This split led to the Croatian War of Independence, which lasted from 1991 to 1995 as the country fought to secure its sovereign borders.
Since that time, the coastal cities have become BIG tourist destinations.
But the inland capital, Zagreb, is often just a transit hub.
It does have its charms.
The historic buildings are impressive.
Statues are dumb …
… but I like taking photos of them, anyway.
Jogging the streets early morning, you are bound to stumble upon something interesting.
There are pretty spots. Rarely crowded.
When I had 2 nights off, I caught the bus out to nearby Samobor for hiking. Small town Croatia is definitely more relaxing than the BIG SMOKE ➙ Zagreb.
The Honda Element is officially rumored to return, with an anticipated global debut expected to happen sometime in late 2028.
According to leaked production plans first reported by Automotive News, Honda is reviving the iconic, quirky crossover to target the booming outdoor adventure market.
Personally, I’d love an old (discontinued) USED Honda Element.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Funny. 😀
YES, John Malkovich does have Croatian roots. His paternal grandparents were Croatian immigrants from the hamlet of Malkovići near Ozalj, Croatia. In May 2026, he was officially granted Croatian citizenship by the government in recognition of his heritage.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I’m here for the European Gymnastics Championships.
I was here 2 years ago as a tourist.
It’s not really a big tourist destination.
Pro tip ➙ ONLY cycle downhill.
Alternatively, an electric bike is NOT cheating, so long as you pretend to pedal while the motor does most of the work. 😀
In seriousness, I don’t mind the occasional push up the hill. It’s rest and recovery from cycling.
But there are times it’s called hike-a-bike: “pushing, carrying, or shouldering a bicycle over terrain that is too steep, rocky, or muddy to ride“.
Awkward and sometimes agonizing.
I try to minimize these situations.
That photo is from a terrific post on the subject by MILES ARBOUR:
Bikepacking.com – THE ART OF BIKE-PUSHING
Due to Trump’s idiotic Epstein Distraction Forever War, I decided to stay closer to home this Spring.
Made a PLAN … that mostly worked out. 😀
The Skiing was excellent. My best year ever. 12 days at Sunshine.
Hiking great. 17 days in the tent, walking deserts in California and Nevada.
Cycling was the most problematic. But I still made it 11 days on the Trans Canada Great Trail, starting in Vernon and ending up in Fernie (with a busted bike).
What’s next?
Still considering my options.
The only thing fixed for sure is World Gymnastics Championships in Netherlands Oct. 2026.
Lifelong friends met for a Never Ending Weekend in Kelowna, B.C.
Some of us went back to Grade 4. Lifelong friends.
Kelowna population in 2025 is 165,907.
Well known for dry, hot, sunny summers and cool, cloudy winters. The second mildest winter of any non-coastal city in Canada, after neighbouring Penticton.
We did a couple of days at beaches and the waterfront.
Spent even more time socializing over great food and drink.
Each day we did a couple of short hikes.
One morning I got up early to hike Mount Knox.
A surprising highlight for me was visiting The View Winery and Vineyard.
Very fun. Very interesting.
We actually went for their cider.
Fantastic tourist destination. I’d return to Kelowna anytime.
Friends moved from Vancouver to Vernon in the sunny Okanagan.
What do you think of their new vista?
We were working on a Gymnastics project, taking breaks with good food.
One highlight was visiting gorgeous Ellison Provincial Park.
Friends are improving the rock climbing routes nearby.
Who are my friends, you ask?
From Vernon, I started my ride back to Calgary.
