Dobar dan, my dear followers! It’s your favorite globe-trotting gnome, Oliver, reporting from the charming town of Krapina, Croatia after a thrilling 39.3km journey from the bustling city of Zagreb.

The Croatian landscape offered a feast of lush greenery and captivating hills, but what truly caught my eye was the Neanderthal Museum in Krapina. A testament to the region’s rich prehistoric past, it is home to the world’s largest collection of Neanderthal remains. As I looked at those ancient bones, I couldn’t resist a chuckle: “I hope I don’t end up in a museum one day!”

As we say here in Croatia, “Jedna lastavica ne čini proljeće“, which means “One swallow doesn’t make a spring”. It’s a reminder that a single observation or experience doesn’t define the whole. Well, this gnome’s got more than one observation up his sleeve, so stay tuned!

So far, my little feet have carried me 4398.6 kilometers across five cities in 145 days. I’ve journeyed from Trebnje to Samobor, then Zagreb, and finally to Krapina via Maribor. Each place, with its unique charm and character, has etched a special place in my heart.

And no, I didn’t cross any borders this time so the language remained the same – beautiful Croatian. But don’t worry, I’m ready to charm you with new phrases from another language soon!

As the Croatian band, Prljavo Kazalište, sings, “Mojoj majci“, “To my mother, in a faraway dream, I’m sending a white dove from the city’s roofs.” I too, like the dove, continue to carry messages from my travels, hoping to bring a piece of the world to your doorstep.

So, until my next adventure, stay curious, and remember the Croatian saying, “Svako dobro!” (All the best!). Keep wandering, my friends!

Krapina, a city that wears its rich history and culture like a badge of honor. I was particularly fascinated by the world-renowned Krapina Neanderthal Museum – or as the locals say, “Muzej Krapinskih Neandertalaca”. It’s a trove of prehistoric artifacts and fascinating information on our early ancestors. I felt like I was stepping back in time, a grumpy gnome amidst the cavemen!

The second gem of Krapina is its association with the celebrated Croatian poet, Antun Gustav Matoš. His statue graces the city center, a reminder of his poetic prowess. As he once elegantly put it, “U svakom slučaju, smrt je manje bolna od života.” (“In any case, death is less painful than life.”) A bit dramatic for my taste, but who am I to argue with a literary giant?

From cavemen to poets, Krapina sure knows how to keep a gnome entertained!