All about Croatia

Last Saturday I went rafting on the River Cetina with at couple of friends from Denmark, although I tried it several times here, I am always existed about it.

In and around the city Omiš there is quite a few companies arranging rafting, canyoning and wild water canoe on the river Cetina, this Saturday we had booked attour with our new cooperation partner, so I of course was existed to see if the where better in organising, then the other companies I tried till now.

TIP: The meeting point for rafting can easily be found, after crossing the bride in Omiš (arriving from Split) turn left and follow road 5 km direction Radmanova Mlinice (Radman Mills), 800 meter after passing Radmanova you find the meeting point Isletište Luka on your right hand side.

At 14:00 everybody was assemble at the meeting point, in our case 37 people from Latvia and a few people from other nations, from the meeting point we where transferred by bus to the starting point 9.5 km up river, here we got the our equipment, lifejacket, helmet and paddle and of course the obligatory safety instructions.

At 15:10 everybody was in the boats and we started our trip, the rafting tour on Cetina is divided in to 3 parts, where the first and the third part are the relative quite parts, and the second is part with the most wild water, at the beginning our of guide gave us a thoroughly instruction in how to manoeuvre the raft in different situations.

After we learn to manoeuvre the raft and follow the commands given by our guide, we started the real rafting as you can see on the pictures here.

INFO: At the middle of the trip there is a passage with a waterfall, which for safety reasons required that you leave the boat and follow path for 200 meter, to a pick point below the waterfall. Our new cooperation partner, although offers and alternative for those who likes a bit more excitement, they have permission to take guest to a small cave which leads to the pick up point.

My friends and I of course took the “extreme” route through the cave, to enter the cave we although had to cross a small lake with only 10 degrees warm water, S… it was cold, but we all manage to get to the other side and through the cave.

When everybody was back in the rafts we continued further down river, here we had entertainment from a Latvian lady who manage not to do like the guides specifically told us to, with the result, that she of course fall in the water, we also so raft from other organisor flipping over, luckily in both case nobody was injured.

At 17:30 we stopped to swim and jump from a big rock, after finish swimming we continued to the end point Isletište Luka where we arrived at 18:30

My friends who had there first rafting tour on this Saturday was totally excited about it, they even ask me if I wanted to go again Sunday, personally I think we had a great trip, not only because of the rafting but also because beautiful nature you get to see, our new cooperation partner was by far the most professional I tried until now, so I think we have picked the right one (-:

Here is some general information’s about rafting:

• Rafting on Cetina is possible from April to October
• Water temperature in the river seldom gets higher then 18 degrees Celsius
• Person from 8 years to 60+ can participate in the rafting
• Rafting on Cetina is category 2, which is average for the difficulty. (Calm water is 0).
• Remember extra clothes as you will get wet
• Wallet, mobile, camera etc, can be given to the guide who will store it in dry box on the raft.

Price and booking

• Price for rafting through organiser with all licences, new equipment and well educated instructors / guides is 32 Euro. Pick up in Split can be arranged but is charged extra.
• The following is included in the price, insurance, transfer to meeting point, fresh fruit, snack and water.
• You can book rafting with our cooperation partner by sending a mail to info@soltium.hr specifying, date of rafting, time and number of participants.

.

The Adriatic Dolphin Project is the longest consistent study of bottlenose. By participating in the Blue World "Adopt a dolphin" campaign you are supporting the Adriatic Dolphin Project and activities of research and protection of the bottlenose dolphins and their environment around the islands of Lošinj and Cres. Your donation will help the continuation of our work to increase public awareness at local and national level through actions such as the Dolphin Day, educational lectures at libraries, schools and kinder gardens, and the promotion of the overall protection of Lošinj archipelago.

If you are a student of biology, environmental science or geography, or a similar subject and you can suggest a thesis or project please contact us.

College credit may be arranged by the student through their department or as an independent research program at their college or university. The project encourages this, and will take whatever steps are required to facilitate such efforts.

The Adriatic Dolphin Project gives you the opportunity to join our research as a volunteer. It is an unique chance to live the experience of meeting the dolphins in their own environment. Volunteers spend twelve days in our field base in Lošinj and actively participate in our daily routine. This includes collecting data at sea, preparation of boat and equipment, logging of data into the computer,preliminary data analysis, preparation of lecture materials and background reading. Eco-volunteers live with the researchers; they are expected to help in practical everyday jobs such as the preparation of meals or field base maintenance. The motivation of these people involved in the program is of great importance for the project as a whole.

There is no typical day… much of what we do is based on sea conditions. When the sea is calm and the weather is fine, you will prepare your lunch after breakfast and then head for the boat to search for the dolphins. When a group of dolphins is located, the animals are followed at close quarters for as long as it is necessary to take data. The moment the dolphins are sighted, everyone on board has a specific task to fulfil. Your task as project participant is to record; the time, the number and breakdown of animals, their behavioural activity and their names as the researcher calls them out. If the sea is not calm, the team remains at the base co-operating in the data handling and analysis as well as in the everyday activities. One of the other attractions of this project is the unique chance you get to learn more about dolphins and their lifestyle. However, the eco-volunteers are free to visit the island and enjoy its beauty and the clean sea. When you need some time off or some privacy, you must indicate this yourself, as there are no fixed days off. The atmosphere at the project is informal and relaxed and by mutual arrangement many things are possible.

You should remember that this is no ordinary holiday and that the researchers are not tour leaders.

If you want to join us as a volunteer check the positions and dates for the year 2008!

Best Regards from Lošinj !