InterWhits: Piran Four

So, we got trapped in this harbour in Portoroz while trying to get to the famous salt fields in Lucia. It was gorgeous though- a great sunny day and it was interesting to get to see the whole harbour. The season was starting so there was a lot of cleaning and painting going on. I just wanted to hop on one and take it out for the day. What a waste, just sitting there!

So, back in Piran, Jarrod and I were sitting at the cafe discussing people's dress. I was arguing that you can spot a middle aged European man a mile away and Jarrod was arguing that they don't look that different from middle-aged conservative men around the globe. I said that they look infinitely more composed than Americans --"You know, with the shirt always tucked into tailored jeans with expensive shoes, and the sweater tied round the neck?" At this very moment, behind my back in Jarrod's view were these guys in this photo. He laughed and told me to turn around. Kinda funny.
Joni Mitchell popped into my head "walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht."

The following day we actually found the path to the salt fields and it was worth it. Here they are with Croatia in the background and springtime in the foreground!

Spring!

If you can't read it, it says, "Happy Christmas and New Year. Don't litter."
If I sent Christmas Cards (and I don't) this would be mine this year.

Salt Fields--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O44_BBb9upY
From the Wiki:

The Sečovlje Saltworks (Slovene: Sečoveljske soline) is the largest Slovenian salt evaporation pond. Along the Strunjan Saltworks, they are the northernmost Mediterranean saltworks and one of the rare where salt is still produced in a traditional way, as well as awetland of international importance and a breeding place of waterbirds. They are part of the Piran Saltworks and are located in Slovenian Istria, the southwest of the country, at the Adriatic Sea, along the mouth of the Dragonja River near Sečovlje.^[1]

The saltworks have been active since 13th century. Nowadays, the salt production is carried on in order to preserve natural and cultural heritage. The area of the saltworks and the Seča peninsula have been declared the Sečovlje Salina Landscape Park. The Museum of Salt-Making in Sečovlje was in 2003 the first in Slovenia to receive the Europa Nostra Prize, bestowed by the European Union to outstanding initiatives for the preservation of cultural heritage.^[1]

In 1993, the saltworks were put on the list of Ramsar wetlands of international importance. The wetland stretches on 650 hectares (1,600 acres) in the mouth of the Dragonja.

more Salt Fields

and more

still more
The most interesting part of this process to me is that the salt farmers first put down a sort of microbial mat on the dry ponds, they allow a bit of water in so that the mat can develop and this eliminates contamination from the sand into the salt water ponds. So, it really is an intensive farming type practice.
Arghh--even a salt farmer has to "prepare the surface"

salt transporter

We met up with Rachel and George, to hand over the kids for an hour while Jarrod and I watched the sunset. When we met back up for dinner, we saw some fishermen reeling in this guy. Maya and Rachel had it suck onto their fingers. It was really amazing to watch it pulse on the pier. So sad for me to watch it die-- did not stop Maya from ordering seafood pizza with squid that night for dinner.