While on a 12,000-kilometre recumbent-bicycle journey from Japan to England, Rob Thomson regularly pauses to chronicle his adventures (www.14degrees.org). Animals encountered along the way have become a unifying element as he travels through countries of disparate cultures.

MAKARSKA, Croatia -- As I was about to leave Makarska, I stopped at a kiosk to buy bananas. A man riding his bike stopped, and asked where I was from and where I was going, and was generally interested in my bike.

This gentleman was Nenad Zidic, president of the Makarska Bicycle Club. He invited me for a coffee. Being in no particular rush, I accepted. He speaks good English, and we chatted for a while before he pulled out his mobile phone and called the local newspaper, the Makarska Kronika.

A reporter and photographer arrived within five minutes and proceeded to take pictures and scribble notes about my trip. Good fun!

What a great bunch of people in Makarska. It has been a resting time (again) here, and it’s time to hit the road.

For some reason, I have more photos of dogs from Makarska than I do of people…

The mini-pug pooch (shown) would have fit into the mouth of the maxi-pooch (also shown) with ease.

The larger dog is an Argentinian Mastiff, a massive, powerful creature. In Turkey, packs of three or four such dogs would chase me. Not fun!

But this one in Croatia was super friendly and just loved to lick any skin that got close enough. The owner was a responsible chap carrying a muzzle. At one stage in our chat, he put the muzzle on the dog as another dog-owner and pet approached us. Just as well! The two dogs expressed differences of opinion, leading to ferocious barking. Once the other dog left, the Mastiff became all happy again.

Which would I choose: the mini-pooch or the maxi-pooch?

Based on maintenance, the rug-rat has my vote.



Newspapers track Rob's progress across Asia and Europe.

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