As Morski writes on the 5th of October, 2020, Rudjer Boskovic Institute scientists are busy investigating the disappearance of oxygen from the iconic Dragon's Eye Lake in Rogoznica. The Rudjer Boskovic Institute scientists studying the body of water in Rogoznica have recently noticed a change in the colour and smell of the lake. It is the occurrence of anoxia in the entire water column of the lake and the spread of toxic hydrogen sulfide. This natural process is favoured by extreme weather conditions, such as a sudden drop in atmospheric temperature.

Rogoznica Lake, more popularly known as the Dragon's Eye, is a natural phenomenon and a unique marine system in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean region. Recently, due to its physico-chemical and biological characteristics, it has been included on the map of about a hundred permanently stratified, anoxic (oxygen-free) and euxinic (free toxic sulfide in the water column) lakes in the world.

The main characteristic of the lake is seasonal stratification into an upper oxic layer, a middle layer or a chemocline coloured in purple, and a bottom anoxic layer characterised by complete darkness (due to there being absolutely no presence of light) and high concentrations of toxic ammonia and sulfide.

''Recently, the lake has suddenly mixed again, has become blurred, the smell of rotten eggs has spread, and the lake has changed from its usual transparent greenish-blue colour of the surface to an opaque greenish-gray. During the mixing of the water 'slayers, sulfide evaporation and oxidation has occurred in the lake, as well as the formation of polysulfide and elemental sulfur, which, due to high concentration and low solubility, appears in colloidal form, ie sediment in the water column, which changed the transparency and colour of the lake.

The process of mixing and oxidation of sulfides consumed all the oxygen in the lake, and the lake, as of the 27th of September, 2020, has remained completely oxygen-free. Such a condition has caused the death of  theflora and fauna,'' explained Dr. sc. Irena Ciglenecki-Jusic, Head of the Laboratory for Marine Physics and Water Systems Chemistry of the aforementioned institute.

This state of anoxia in the entire water column has been recorded three times so far, in September 1997, October 2011, and more recently in 2016. The lake has been the subject of natural science research by Rudjer Boskovic scientists in collaboration with colleagues from the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, the Centre for Sea and Coast in Dubrovnik and the Split Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, as well as a team of international colleagues since way back in 1990.

The occurrence of anoxia in the entire water column of the lake is a natural process that occurs at irregular time intervals depending on the weather conditions. It is affected by extreme weather conditions, such as a sharp drop in the temperature of the atmosphere, which suddenly cools the salty surface layer of water. This layer of water sinks and mixes with water below which is rich in sulfide. In the last ten years, such sudden changes have become more frequent - scientists say.

''The recovery of the lake is long-lasting, especially in terms of biology, while the chemical processes more or less returns to the way it was within a month or so. According to current knowledge, biological recovery takes several years, but then there is re-mixing and that same life cycle starts all over again. However, it always begins from a new starting point, which is especially interesting for further specific research,'' explained Dr. Ciglenecki-Jusic.

The lake is considered a natural laboratory for monitoring changes in the environment, and in recent times has proven to be ideal for monitoring the transport and delivery of desert dust from the Sahara to the central Adriatic.

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As Morski writes on the 5th of October, 2020, a fantastic archaeological discovery has been uncovered in the Dalmatian region of the Peljesac peninsula. A team of archaeologists has excavated graves dating back to the 11th century BC. In one of them, a multitude of jewellery was discovered, as well as an exceptional Greek-Illyrian helmet, one of only a few found in the entire world.

It's difficult to imagine the feeling of coming across such an important archaeological discovery, and after two and a half millennia of being buried away from human eyes, an incredible, ancient Greco-Illyrian helmet saw the light of day once again. These helmets are otherwise extremely rare, and there are only about 10 such helmets in the whole world.

''They were worn from the 7th century until practically the 3rd century BC and in each of those periods they were important in the sense of actually defining the members of the elite, the warrior elites who actually ruled the communities of that time,'' explained dr.sc. Hrvoje Potrebica of the Department of Archeology, Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb, for HRT.

Archaeological work at this particular location in the Peljesac region began this summer and was contuining throughout last week. The archaeological discovery, more specifically a tomb from the fourth century BC, hid a real historical treasure.

''What we can see, in any case, are fragments of a Greek vessel, neskifos, with a handle. Next to it are fragments of a bronze bracelet, which is usually found as part of women's jewellery of that time, so we're talking about the time somewhere in the fourth century BC,'' said the director of the Institute of Archeology of Zagreb, Marko Dizdar PhD.

''Experts believe the finding is a tomb from the fourth century or fifth century BC. There are at least fifteen such mounds in this area, which tells us that there used to be a significant settlement here, but it also tells us that archaeologists will still have work to do here for decades, ''said HRT reporter Vicko Dragojevic.

''Now we actually have a few years to document the area, to actually know what we have in that area from the archaeological findings. And then when we understand the landscape, in parallel, we're going to conduct targeted research on the most endangered parts,'' Potrebica added.

After that, this should become one huge international interdisciplinary project, because there are extremely rare objects lying here that, thanks to archaeological forensics, can reveal something that cannot be found anywhere else.

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October 6, 2020 - With the prospect of winter lockdowns a distinct reality, meet the remote Hvar residential complex near Stari Grad which provides a comfortable alternative for remote workers. 

There is a hidden part of the island of Hvar which is very central, spectacularly beautiful, and rarely visited. Just 2 minutes by car from the town of Stari Grad, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest towns in Croatia. 

A hidden part of Hvar which is both remote and accessible, full of protected natural beauty, just two small villages, and endless isolated bays and coves, where one might encounter some familiar faces - actor Goran Visnjic owned a property in one of the bays until recently. 

(Photo Romulic and Romulic)

The Kabal Peninsula immediately north of Stari Grad is a dream for photographers from the air. It stretches 12 kilometres north to the northernmost tip of the island, where one can find some unusual manmade traces in this otherwise unspoiled paradise. At the top of the peninsula, there are some tunnels built in the Tito era to guard the Stari Grad channel. You can see them from the ferry if you look closely on the left as you enter the deep channel. But for an even better view, visit the tunnels at sunset - the views are truly spectacular. 

But the main attraction of the Kabal peninula, whose idyllic 8.7 km2 is populated by just 72 people, is its arresting natural beauty. Who can resist a morning dip in waters such as this?

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article called As Tourists Leave Croatia, the Case for an Extended Autumn Stay on Hvar. It was written towards the end of August, with UK (and other) quarantines in force, and with talk of winter lockdowns getting louder. While Hvar in winter might not have the buzz of peak season, I argued, its abundant nature, sunshine, proximity to the sea, and healthy lifestyle made it a much more attractive option for those who were free to work or live remotely. I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity to lockdown on Hvar rather than in a city earlier this year. That sun, nature and those crashing waves helped with the sanity levels considerably. 

Initial reaction to the article was mixed, including a healthy dose of skepticism. There is nothing to do on Hvar in winter, argued several. With reasonable Internet and access to global digital services, I would argue that there is a much better lifestyle on Hvar in winter than cooped up in the UK for months watching the rain and looking at the same old five faces day in, day out for months. 

And then, as the threat of a restrictive winter became more real, opinion changed, and people started enquiring about availability. And here we are, in this crazy of craziest years, as we find our apartment empty in June but booked for a month in October. Two digital nomads, happy to work remotely in the sun on our terrace in Jelsa, while enjoying the magic of Hvar as a cycling destination. 

But something else happened in addition to enquiries from digital nomads. Local businesses and accommodation providers started getting in touch, offering their services and wanting to get involved in the new opportunity. Croatia's natural beauty, it seems, is attracting interest from remote workers looking for somewhere healthy to ride out the pandemic. A colleague told me that he is working with a resort on the coast to bring in over 60 people from an international company to work in glorious Adriatic socially distanced remoteness in a resort normally closed during the winter. 

Which brings us back to our idyllic little peninsula, whose many secrets include what is actually the biggest successfully completed residential project on Hvar in the last 30 years. Eleven luxury villas, each with their own pool and sea view, in a well-maintained cul-de-sac more reminiscent of the hit show Desperate Housewives than rural Dalmatia, are the latest offering for those looking for a winter escape from the pandemic. And with views like this and such a relaxed setting, it would be easy to forget the troubles of the world. 

The villas are located in splendid isolation a short walk to the beach a short walk from the beautifully preserved ethno-eco village of Mala Rudina, with a permanent population of just 2. Traditional Dalmatia at its finest. Mala Rudina is a 5-minute drive to Stari Grad (or a 40-minute walk), the best town on the island for year-round living with its shops, 12-month restaurants, and ferry terminal to Split. The picturesque pedestrian old town dates back 2,400 years and is the perfect spot for a waterfront coffee to accompany a trip to the shops. 

The villas themselves are still relatively unknown on the island, which is perhaps somewhat surprising as they comprise the biggest residential development on the island in recent memory.  

You don't get sunsets like these in Manchester... 

Construction started in 2004, but the complex was only completed last year, when new Czech owners finished off the villas to a very high standard, and they opened for business towards the end of last summer.  

The villas come in two sizes - 280m2 sleeping up to 12 people, and 190m2 sleeping up to 10. Plenty of room to social distance, and that is only on the inside. Each villa comes with its own outdoor pool and landscaped gardens.  

In order to adapt to the changing global situation, the villas are now available for longer term rent in the autumn, winter and spring seasons, with special packages available outside the peak season months.  

Lockdown in Manchester, or breakfast on the terrace? 

Having lived on Hvar for 13 years year-round, I am perhaps better qualified to comment on the winter experience there than many. Summer visitors used to full beaches, a wide selection of restaurants and a vibrant nightlife, complain that everything is closed in winter, and there is nothing to do. 

While that is true up to a point, winter on Hvar offers a wealth of other great experiences, while it is also largely true in places that this is not much to do in places like Manchester in lockdown as well. The main difference being the sun, the abundant nature, and the freedom to roam.   

The Internet is a wonderful thing, and it has made us all a lot more equal. Living on Hvar all those years, including during lockdown, showed me that while there were certain aspects of life I missed moving from a big city, access to good Intenet and fresh local ingredients for food meant that the quality of life was actually not as different as one might think. Factor in a lockdown, and a Dalmatian island wins every time.  And if you do get cabin fever, there are several ferries a day to Split, a city which continues to impress in recent years. 

Did I mention the sunsets?

2020 has taught us to adapt to situations of unimaginable change. Organised tourism in Europe began on Hvar back in 1868 with the foundation of the Hvar Health Society. The focus then was on the temperate climate of the winter months for convalescing aristocrats from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 

Could another health issue - the coronavirus pandemic - help develop winter tourism once more on Hvar, this time powered by climate, lifestyle, healthy living and luxury accommodation?

To learn more about the luxury villas of Mala Rudina on the edge of Stari Grad, visit the official Luxury Villas Stari Grad website.  

For more news from the island of Hvar, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

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ZAGREB, October 5, 2020 - The Bridge party organised a round table on Monday on the topic "Working from Home: Do we have the right of disconnect", which discussed amendments to the Labour Act due to the coronavirus, where a lot of people work from home and the line between working hours and private time disappears.

The discussion was organised following announcements that changes would be made to the Labour Act. A lot of workers work from home due to the coronaviurs situation and in many cases have to work more and need to be available all the time.

"It has been seen in practice that work from home often leads to an overlap between working hours and private time and that the fine line is being moved or erased completely," president of the Independent Croatian Unions, Kresimir Sever, said.

He explained that an employee's working hours with an employer are clearly defined, but if that employee starts working from home, a good portion of employers abuse that and expect employees to work a lot more, leaving less time for leisure activities.

"Until such time that that system is put in order, we cannot talk about real remote work," said Sever.

He added that times of crises are not a good time to amend laws.

"Laws should not be adapted to crisis situations, but should be regulated during normal times, emphasising that a  crisis may occur," he said.

He warned that the crisis situation is being exploited to introduce a more flexible labour system in Croatia which is unacceptable for the unions, and all under the guise that remote work has to be regulated.

"The Labour Act is extremely flexible in Croatia. It allows employers a wide spectrum to arrange labour relations. The thing that would provide real flexibility is collective bargaining and there is very little of that in Croatia," Sever believes.

Viktor Gotovac from the Labour and Social Law Department at the Faculty of Law does not agree that the law is good as it does not regulate remote working.

"That means that the law is not good. We have student contracts, employing pensioners, author's contracts, everything just not to change the law... I worked form home after the earthquake and my employer immediately cut off my travel allowance, but I was not paid for using my own premises, resources," Gotovac underlined.

He did not agree that the coronavirus caused the problem but rather pointed out what needs to be changed for a better legislative framework which would regulate wages, working hours and leave.

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ZAGREB, October 5, 2020 - A total of 252 fast and ultra-fast chargers in members of the NEXT-E charging infrastructure project for electric vehicles will be integrated onto e-mobility digital specialist Hubject's intercharge platform, Hrvatska Elektroprivreda (HEP), a NEXT-E member, said on Monday.

The members of NEXT-E and Hubject have joined forces to make their combined fast and ultra-fast chargers available on one EV-charging application across six bordering countries: Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia and Romania.

According to a HEP press release, "222 multistandard fast chargers (50 kW) and 30 ultra-fast chargers (150-350 kW) will be integrated onto Hubject’s intercharge platform, the world’s largest cross-provider charging network, further enabling long-distance travel in the region."

Currently, access to EV-chargers is possible with the application of the participating company that has deployed the charger, leading to barriers in roaming and long-distance cross border EV.

The addition of 222 fast and 30 ultra-fast chargers will make it possible for users to charge their car at all charging stations of the NEXT-E project through Hubject’s intercharge platform, thus widely expanding the mobility of e-mobility customers in all NEXT-E countries.

"Interoperability and e-roaming are essential features of an efficient Electric Vehicle recharging network and provide for a seamless ‘electric journey along the European road network," said Richard Ferrer, head of the Transport Innovation Team at the Innovation & Networks Executive Agency.

"Recharging an Electric Vehicle has to be very easy, reliable and affordable for European citizens. The availability of this service on the Hubject platform is a significant step in that direction, thanks to the pioneering spirit of public and private companies representing an entire ecosystem from energy to automotive, mobility and software industries. Electromobility is becoming a reality in Europe! The European Commission and INEA will continue to support such projects and economic operators through the various programmes to achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal," he added.

The NEXT-E project, co-financed by the EU's Connecting Europe Facility, includes cooperation between four energy companies - E.ON Group entities from the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia, HEP- Hrvatska elektroprivreda from Croatia,  MOL Group entities from Hungary, Croatia, Czech Republic, Romania and Slovenia, Petrol Group in Slovenia and Croatia - and two car manufacturers - to deploy 222 fast and 30 ultra-fast chargers in service stations across 6 Central and Eastern European countries.

HEP's network comprises over 200 ELEN chargers across Croatia. HEP financed their installation with its own funds and plans to have 250 chargers by the end of the year.

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ZAGREB, October 5, 2020 - President Zoran Milanovic met on Monday with a delegation of Croats from Serbia who informed him of their activities in protecting and promoting the rights of Croats in that country, the conditions in which they operate and the problems they encounter.

According to a press release, President Milanovic received the president of the Croatian National Council (HNV), Jasna Vojnic, the council's vice president for Subotica, Ladislav Suknovic, and the president of the Democratic Alliance  of Croats in Vojvodine (DSHV), Tomislav Zigmanov.

"HNV and DSHV representatives informed President Milanovic of their work in the past and activities to protect and promote the rights of Croats in Serbia as well as the conditions in which they operate and the problems they encounter," the press release said.

Milanovic supported their work and underlined that he expects the standards that Croatia applies in promoting the rights of national minorities to be equally applied to the Croat national minority in Serbia.

The President expressed his readiness to visit Croats who live in Serbia and in that way confirm Croatia's care for the Croat community in that neighbouring country. Milanovic said that respecting minority rights was and will remain an important criterion on the journey to European Union membership.

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October 5, 2020 - A new approach for the Pearl of the Adriatic - Dubrovnik for Digital Nomads, and more details on the events for European Freelancer Week later this month. Tickets are now available. 

There is a gentle breeze of change blowing across Croatia, a breeze which is slowly getting stronger and taking route all over the country. 

COVID-19 may have caused carnage in terms of the economy, infections and deaths, but it has also provided us all with an opportunity to take stock of all around us, and to embrace the digital revolution. 

Nowhere has this been more true than in bureaucratic Croatia, where some quite astonishing things are happening in the hastened journey to Croatia 2.0. 

Just 44 days after Split-based Dutch entrepreneur Jan de Jong wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic requesting a digital nomad visa for Croatia, the Prime Minister met de Jong, then tweeted his assent, starting the process for Croatia to become only the second country in Europe (after Estonia) and the fifth in the world to introduce the visa, which should be available in early 2021.

With Croatia offering the best lifestyle in Europe, and many remote workers/digital nomads seeking lifestyle for their temporary home base, the potential for Croatia to position itself at the forefront of this digital revolution with such progressive bureaucracy is enticing indeed. And the good news is that the opportunity has been grasped not only by other officials.

Top of the list on those who have followed the Prime Minister in exploring this new digital nomad path has been the City of Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik Tourist Board. From the moment of meeting Mayor Mato Frankovic and Tourist Board Director Ana Hrnic this summer, Team Dubrovnik has been actively supporting initiatives to promote the city to digital nomads. Having dealt with numerous administrations over the last 10 years of the Total Project, I must say that the energy and openness of Hrnic and Deputy Mayor Jelka Tepsic, has been very refreshing. 

As previously reported on TCN, together with its Croatia-based remote work and lifestyle specialists, Saltwater, the City of Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik Tourist Board, we will be hosting a series of events for European Freelancer Week from October 16 - 25, followed by a dedicated month-long initiative next Spring to develop digital nomad strategies for the city. More on 2021 shortly on TCN, but for now let's focus on Dubrovnik for Digital Nomads during European Freelancer Week and the conference which will be broadcast live and online.

The entire event will be held at the historic Lazareti just outside the historic stone walls of the city. The Dubrovnik Republic was the first place in the world to introduce quarantine back in 1377 in Cavtat, and the Lazareti were introduced a few centuries later to enable the famous trading power to keep on doing business, protected from disease. As a symbol of remote working during the current pandemic, I can think of no symbolically more appropriate location. 

Day One kicks off online and live at 16:00 with a sign of Dubrovnik's commitment to this new direction - an opening address from Mayor Frankovic himself. Dubrovnik Tourist Board director Hrnic will also be speaking. 

Mayor Frankovic will be followed by two exceptional keynote speakers. First up, the man responsible for persuading the Prime Minister to introduce the visa, Jan de Jong, who is travelling down from Split to take part in the conference and has promised an announcement during his speech regarding an update to the visa issue. 

The other confirmed key speaker on the first day is NY Times bestselling author and marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, who will be holding an interactive session about how digital nomad life is a Creative Disequilibrium - looking closely at Productivity and Wellbeing based on his career as a scientist and creative. You can learn more and support the work of Dr Wallace J. Nichols over on Patreon. 

More confirmed speakers will be added shortly, including a global travel and lifestyle authority, who will be announced after the early bird ticket sales window has closed. 

You can learn more about the confirmed speakers so far here. 

• Tickets are available here, including details of early bird tickets. There are also a limited number of tickets available free for residents of Dubrovnik if you would like to learn more about the digital nomad lifestyle and opportunity. Regarding ticket purchase, please note that once you buy a ticket, you will be emailed your receipt and then a link and instructions on how to attend within.
• Event program and speaker information is on saltwaternomads.com/events
• Speaker Bios: https://saltwaternomads.com/speakers/

You can learn more about the confirmed speakers so far here. 

• Tickets are available here, including details of early bird tickets. There are also a limited number of tickets available free for residents of Dubrovnik if you would like to learn more about the digital nomad lifestyle and opportunity. Regarding ticket purchase, please note that once you buy a ticket, you will be emailed your receipt and then a link and instructions on how to attend within.
• Event program and speaker information is on saltwaternomads.com/events
• Speaker Bios: https://saltwaternomads.com/speakers/

More speakers are being added, and the event page will be updated accordingly, and a final agenda published shortly on TCN.  

See you in Dubrovnik!

The digital nomad revolution is coming to Croatia. To keep up with the latest news, including that all-important visa, follow the new TCN dedicated Digital Nomad section.   

ZAGREB, October 5, 2020 - Following reports that a project dubbed the Zagreb Manhattan will not happen, civil associations which have been campaigning against it said on Monday that the failure of the project was actually a victory for citizens who would also remove Mayor Milan Bandic from power in local elections next year.

The plan by Mayor Bandic to cede to a private company more than a million square metres of valuable city land within the Zagreb Trade Fair Centre and the nearby racecourse has finally failed, four civic associations said after the head of the city department for economy, Mirka Jozic, confirmed to Jutarnji List daily that plans for the project no longer exist as changes to the town plan enabling the project have not been adopted.

The four associations - Green Action, the Siget civic association, Zagreb is Calling You, and the Right to the City, said this was a final victory of all citizens, civic and professional associations, journalists and the "real opposition" in the Zagreb City Assembly.

They recalled that they had all persistently pointed to the fact that the project would enable a private company to privatise a large area at the expense of the city.

"We have shown how persistence and a strong campaign can stop even Bandic's mega-projects," the associations said.

They noted that it was still not known how much Bandic's insistence on the project would cost taxpayers as an initial agreement on the project, which he refused to make public for months, states that any disputes would be resolved through arbitration in line with the rules of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce.

The associations therefore demand that all information regarding the financial implications of the project be published.

They also recalled the failure of Bandic's plan to have changes to the town plan enabling the project adopted without any public consultation and their campaign and protests against the project, noting that the project would be remembered as  a symbol of Bandic's rule of Zagreb, "marked by currying favour with individual private companies, privatisation of valuable city land and other property and partnerships with companies that profit from Zagreb while citizens pay for their projects."

"Citizens managed to bring down Bandic's insane project and in seven months they will topple him in elections as well," the associations said.

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