Broatia comes to a close. With a parting brohug Richard, Sam and Steve left early in the morning and I returned to a slumber. I still had a night left before heading to the next destination, which at this point was unknown. Richard had left his Trilby and I decided it would come on an adventure with me.

I grabbed a pen, the leftover pizza and began scheming. I had only planned two dates up until this point: to finish the Camino by the 28th August and meet the boys in Croatia mid September. Everything between would be flexible and I would decide where to go after. With no set destination in mind I figured I would head south to Montenegro and then into the adjacent countries across the Balkans. I picked out some key areas to visit as a rough plan for the next few months. You have to leave it open and the locals will always know their country better and can advise you as to where you should go. They are the ones that know where the abandoned salt factories, World War I Austro-Hungarian bunkers and Mercury mines are. Where to find the best authentic food outside of the tourist districts and a chilled café to write in. Phase 5 would soon be in effect.