SJ + MATE'S FAMILY

This is a little story about a little family who decided to pack up their life in Australia and move to a little village nestled amongst vineyards and stone houses and clear blue waters on the Adriatic.

SJ and Mate and their insanely cute boy Vlad, had moved to Croatia with hopes and dreams for themselves and their family.  

I met SJ through her brilliantly funny, travel blog, Chasing the Donkey.  When I found out that they were less than an hour away from the village we would be staying at, I knew we would have to meet.  The day after we arrived in Croatia we all met outside the Sea Organ in Zadar.  Our children played merrily in the stones and grass, as we drank great Croatian beer and caught up like we were old friends.  Two weeks later, serendipity stepped in and we both happened to be in the same little seaside village more than two hours away from our own villages.  We caught up for more nattering, beer and cocktails.

The last time we got to see SJ and Mate, I was lucky enough for them to show me around their little village, and I was able to document a little of their story.  

Their story how it is right now.  

Their story of how Vlad loves a cafe as much the next Croatian, and really loves to stir that coffee.  

Their story of how they have house building plans and plans to make olive oil from the trees they have planted in their own plot of land.  

Their story of little teeth, a yellow truck and and a soccer ball.

Their dreams to make the most of the land that has been in the family and is now home for them.

If their was ever any doubt in their minds that they had made the right decision to uproot and move to a country where culture and language differences were an obstacle, it certainly was not evident.  

This is a story of a family who is in love with their life, in love with their bilingual son, and proud of both of their heritage and where it has brought them today.

This is SJ, Mate and Vlad, in their little corner of paradise.

If you are travelling to Croatia, or even just want to know a bit about this beautiful country and be wowed by its stunning scenery, you can visit SJ at Chasing the Donkey, on Facebook or on Instagram @chasingthedonkeycroatia