"The Almost Lively Zagreb...." Zagreb by coceng

Zagreb Travel Guide: 2,329 reviews and 4,279 photos

A Bad Memory in Zagreb...

BOHINJ<<<<<ZAGREB>>>>>DUBROVNIK

CROATIAMonday 23rd June 2003Arriving in Zagreb by train at about 2 pm from Ljubljiana, Slovenia. I like the train station in Zagreb....it looked like it hadn't changed for the last 30 years ! There's a classic feel to it...
Considering Zagreb is the capital of Croatia but the train station doesn't have that kind of feel....the shops/cafes & exchanged office were not full of people....it's like somewhere in Russia, I felt....not that I have been to Russia, not yet.
Although I have to point out that the buildings around Zagreb would be very much influenced by the Austrians because they built most of them anyway. Well, my observations were otherwise.
Outside the train station....I could see the bussle....nice classic buildings were on sight. That is good.....
Tried several times calling this guy Neven who was supposed to be available for me for the day in Zagreb..but couldn't get him....He knew I would be coming....
Decided to walk on my own....walking to the bus station..& there's a shopping complex & I could see more people there....
The ticket counters were nicely organized...& I was thinking that I should get my night bus ticket to Dubrovnik on that same day....thinking that night buses to Dubrovnik would be scarce..but it's not, there were several companies there having night buses to Dubrovnik...
In fact, my original plan was to be in Zagreb for a few hours only..& getting to Dubrovnik ASAP. Yes, I should see Zagreb....maybe next time, especially the guy that I wanted to see on that day wasn't available...
Bought the bus ticket.....& wandered off to the Old Town...I could see some policemen were standing/guarding some monuments/buildings....thinking to myself that maybe somebody important was in town....well, certainly not me....
Took photos....
Called Neven again...at the train station...Feeling hapless, asked this lady to assist me, maybe I was dialing incorrectly....Suddenly, the public phone was ringing & I picked up & the voice asking me whether it was me !
It was that Neven guy....I was baffled at first but he told me that if I called him even from a public phone..he would have the number...."Oh I See.." was my reply....
He couldn't see me, had a 'big night' previous day....whatever that was....& I said that I brought something for him & asked him to get it, or somebody to get it for him..otherwise I would give it to an old lady cleaning the toilet ! ...
He then asked me to wait & called up a friend,....this guy Goran, to come & get the souvenir for him....Said he wouldn't want to drive 30 miles away just to see me for a few hours only as I wouldn't be staying the night in Zagreb...whatever !
Goran came....a snobbish type....I could see that he was so uncomfortable with me & so did I...spoke little English....& I gave him the souvenir for Never ( err, Neven, I mean..but maybe I should just called him that !...). He stormed off in a rude way....
I spent a few hours in Zagreb....wandering on my own..taking more photos....& walked to the bus station....
The bus was packed !....2 storey bus..I love that !....& a girl sitting next to me...we started to chat.....
Okay.....that photo above,.....very nice monument....The statue of famous Croatian writer and poet, August Senoa, leaning against an advertisement pillar, designed by Marija Ujevic - Galetovic, stands on the corner of Vlaska and J. Branjuga street.
Thank You...

MUST SEE...
The city is pretty easy to walk around; The main sights are easy to spot.
Having a drink or people watching in the Old Town is nice...
The girls ? The Croatian girls...Don't ask me HOW to get them !
I certainly had a nice 'memory' on the night bus to Dubrovnik but that maybe I was lucky...?
Anyhow, just enjoy Zagreb for what the city could offer anyway...maybe have a beer would be sufficient ?
Oh, a necktie was originated in Croatia !

A GOOD ROUTE...
It's easy to wander around zagreb. From the train station, walk to the right, to the bus station.
Then, walk north or rather north-west & you come to the park & some buildings that you could see on my tips.
Then, walk around the Cathedral, you wouldn't miss the 'always on scaffoldings' beautiful towers.
Then, to the Dolac market. See whatever left from the vegetable market, depends whether you are here in the morning or afternoon. I was there at early evening, not much to see.
Then, walk back to the train station. Look for some beautiful or rather historical architectures along the way.
Then, from the train station, buy a ticket & move somewhere else ! Zagreb is only worth for a day...maybe a few hours like I did.
I had to walk to the bus station & caught the night bus to Dubrovnik.
Flirting with a Croat girl on the bus... What a b*%#h !

* Immense thanks to all the members who helped me with the names of the places that you could see on my tips ! From croisbeauty to croisugly....& circling Norway (Niksa), just to get a good write-up for the tips.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Just An Ole World Destination...
Cons:Only Worth A Few Hours, Maybe Xtra Hours With The Girls !
In a nutshell:Zagreb Is Worth For A Few Hours ! Unless You want To Have Beers & Girls !

Last visit to Zagreb: Jun 2003
Intro Updated May 9, 2004
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Shopping (2)
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Things to Do (24)
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Comments (13)

HORSCHECK Jul 23, 2004 at 4:06 PM Report Abuse

Arnaud, very interesting page about Zagreb. It is the starting point for my next trip in August ...and from there I will visit Ljubljana. :o)
dragontml Nov 13, 2003 at 5:18 PM Report Abuse

great 'creation' for ur virtual postcards !
gosiaPL Nov 13, 2003 at 9:41 AM Report Abuse

Another great page, lots of work! Looks like you didn't need the 'Never' guy to enjoy the town :-)
herzog63 Oct 7, 2003 at 4:26 PM Report Abuse

Great page for a day visit!! Wonderful writing!! You must've stayed busy while you were there!!
najamrulz Sep 29, 2003 at 1:08 PM Report Abuse

HI Arnaud, u again came up with another great page. This place looks really beautiful. Nice photos. Keep it up :-)
american_tourister Sep 26, 2003 at 12:22 AM Report Abuse

You have a way of writing that gives me a feel for a place without seeing it first. Your comments about Zagreb are on the money!
Nykaenen Sep 16, 2003 at 2:17 PM Report Abuse

You've seen a lot for sb who stayed only for a few hrs...
Gili_S Sep 16, 2003 at 9:54 AM Report Abuse

You went all the way to Zagreb to show us stones & buildings? What did you eat? How was the beer? Who did you meet? Are the local girls pretty?
Ivan_Jimenez Sep 16, 2003 at 6:58 AM Report Abuse

Some of those tips sound very "insightfull..."
vesna04 Sep 9, 2003 at 10:38 AM Report Abuse

O my God, what would you give us if you stayed longer...such a fantastic page based on few hours of visit..WOW :)