The Night I Got Stranded in a Croatian Fishing Village
It was supposed to be a quick detour. Just a couple of hours to explore a hidden gem I’d seen on someone’s Instagram story — a quiet little fishing village called Komiža, tucked away on the island of Vis, Croatia. But by the time the last bus left (without me), the sun had dipped into the Adriatic and I was standing there, bags in hand, with nowhere to go and no one expecting me.
A Rocky Start and a Missing Bus
Let’s rewind. I had taken a ferry from Split early in the morning, rented a scooter, and spent the day weaving through olive groves, stopping for figs, and snapping pictures of stone houses older than most countries. I lost track of time. Classic. I returned the scooter late, jogged to the tiny bus stop — and watched the taillights of the last bus disappear around the bend.
No hostels. No cell service. The only hotel was fully booked by a wedding party (I know because I tried, then begged, then pleaded in broken Croatian).
Meeting Maja
I sat down on a stone wall near the harbor, heart pounding, mentally preparing to sleep on the beach. That’s when she appeared — Maja, a woman in her sixties with sun-toughened skin and eyes like warm tea. She asked, in soft English, “You need help?”
Next thing I know, I’m following her through narrow alleys, past clotheslines and jasmine vines, into a courtyard where an elderly man waved from a chair, barefoot and peeling garlic.
Octopus and Rakija
Maja didn’t just offer a bed. She fed me. Grilled octopus with lemon, crusty bread, and a glass of homemade rakija (Croatian fruit brandy) that nearly knocked me over. Her grandchildren peeked through the doorway. We laughed over awkward translations and exchanged stories with more gestures than words.
That night, I slept in a tiny guest room with lavender sprigs on the windowsill. No Wi-Fi. No noise. Just the hum of sea air and the occasional dog barking far off.
The Kindness That Stays
I offered her money in the morning. She refused. Just waved it off with a smile that said, “No need.” I promised to write about her one day. So, Maja, if you’re reading this somehow—thank you.
Things I Learned That Night
- Always check the bus schedule twice.
- Trust strangers more than your fear.
- The world is kinder than we often think.
Related Adventures
This wasn’t a planned experience. It wasn’t a “must-see” or a “top-rated” attraction. But it’s the kind of memory that tattooed itself onto my heart — the kind you carry long after your tan fades and the photos get buried in the cloud.
Croatia travel story, fishing village Europe, travel experience, solo travel story, kindness abroad
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