I left the beautiful campsite at lake Balaton early morning, so at least I could get a cool start to the day. The route would take me south through Hungary, and into the northern part of Croatia, ending the day at Plitvicka Lakes National Park. Although I have visited Croatia 9 times previously, I have never entered from this side, and driven through the mountains and forests. Ideal for motorcycle riding with plenty of thrilling hills and switchbacks A great couple of hours on the bike.

Kamp Korana, on the edge of the National Park and perfectly located if you intend to visit the lakes and falls, is almost like a park in itself. Lots of trees for shade, and very popular with bikers. I found a place to pitch my tent, not far from another solo biker. I had hardly unpacked before he came across to introduce himself. His name was Rudi and he was from Belgium. He explained that he spends 6 months of the year in Europe, and the remaining 6 months in the Dominican Republic where he is settled and owns a bike rental business called Cabarete Enduro Tours. He does guided enduro and off-road tours. Well, now we had something to talk about! After an hour or so, I decided that it was time to start getting my camp ready, and we agreed to have dinner together later in the evening.

Rudi is passionate about bikes. When in Europe he rides his old BMW Funduro 650 single every day, and travels extensively all over Europe. He originally owned a car workshop in Belgium, but an unhappy marriage saw him sell out, and get the heck out of there, as he put it. He has been in the Dominican Republic for 18 years now.

At one point Rudi had told me that he was in Belgium to sort out his pension. I told him that I had “officially” retired a couple of months earlier. What year were you born he asked. 1953, I replied. What month, he asked. May, I said. So was I, said Rudi. Now we only need the date. 18th, I replied. Unbelievably, so was he. We made a photo of our ID books, and as Rudi suggested: Had you been a woman, I would have taken it as a sign! We finished our fried chicken, and headed back to our tents. A great evening in good company.

In the morning I packed up early, and said my goodbyes to Rudi, and 4 Romanians on bikes, who had arrived late in the evening. It was time to head for Dubrovnik in the southern part of Croatia.