Day 9 Saturday May 16 Day 9: The Soul of Istria Poreč - Rovinj - Lim Bay - Pula - Poreč

After breakfast we got transported from the hotel to the wrong parking spot. The hotel quickly resolved the issue and we were transferred to the correct location where our bus was located.  To start our day we visited Roman ruins in Pula with a local guide. 

 

   

The weather still dicey with heavy clouds intermittent rain and 54°. We were told that this roman ruin was not a coliseum, but an amphitheater. Gladiators fought animals like lions and tigers animals fought other animals. and the floors were usually covered in blood. Under the floor was where Gladiators made final preparations and  animals were kept in another portion. The smell must have been lovely.

  

We saw an olive press for making olive oil that was pushed by large animals. We learn that real virgin olive oil has a label with the origin name surname phone number email. It  has a fruity smell. Here we saw where wine vessels were stored from 2nd century BC. The narrow vessels held vinegar. Pointed ends on the bottom allowed them to be stuck in the sand or fit in a rack on the boat. 

We were then off for shellfish and oyster tasting. We ate clams, scallops, mussels oysters and other shell fish for lunch. Since it was the first time we had been warm all day, we topped it off what else, but Chocolate cherry ice cream?

  

We walked the steep cobblestone streets to the top most part.

Legend has it that a 14 year old girl, Euphemia had a dream that she should follow Jesus and Christianity. Because romans didn’t accept christianity at the time, she was tortured with numerous devices that didn’t kill her. She was put with animals who refused to kill her ,but lick her hands instead. Finally she was burned to death. She was renamed St. Euphemia⁩ and her statue is atop the church of St. Euphemia.

After a bit of a rest back at the Bo Hotel, we explored dinner options that were it was impossible to go out from the hotel the night before because of the rain and wind.