April 18, 2020 - The first in a mini-series looking life on Hvar in the corona era. We start with a video tour of the Stari Grad lockdown.
Yesterday was a very strange day for me.
Since coming to Hvar a month ago - or is it longer? - my routine has been work, work, work and 30 minutes a day by the Adriatic each evening. I haven't been to the shops, haven't had a meaningful conversation with anyone in the flesh apart from the close family in my own self-isolation team.
As one of the only people to witness the incredible Za Krizen procession in Jelsa last week (if you want to know what it was REALLY like, read my eye-witness account through the night), I realised that this was a unique moment in time for the island (and the world) which was going largely undocumented. I also realised how many people love Hvar and would be heartened to see its current beauty to allow them to dream a little more of that next Hvar holiday.
So I applied to the Hvar police for a permit to travel to the ferry and walk around Stari Grad for my first assignment. As I said in my Za Krizen piece, the Hvar police and all the local authorities have been outstanding in their handling of this crisis and keeping us all safe. Thank you all. They were also kind enough to agree to my request. And so today we start with a little series documenting Hvar as it is at the moment, starting with a look at a Stari Grad lockdown close up.
A video tour of the riva yesterday afternoon.
A wander through those magical pedestrian streets in the old town. What an incredible feeling to have 2,400 years of history all to yourself.
And I must mention the ferry. There will be a big TCN feature on what actually happens at the ferry, and how things are controlled, shortly.
But rest assured, the Hvar police and emergency services have everything under control. I witnessed the ferry arriving last night, and I was not only very impressed, but also very reassured by how seriously and professionally the authorities are working to keep us all safe.
And the final video for today - waiting for the ferry in the corona era.
To learn more about magical Stari Grad, here are 25 things to know for your next visit.
For the latest from the coronavirus crisis in Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section.
