Quarries

Brijuni - Mediterranean as once was

It is a very simple and basic short video, as I filmed few scenes with my 5dmk2 and 7d during my main job as photographer in Brijuni.
Still, it gives hint how this island looks like :)

Brijuni – The National Park which played host to many of the world’s greats
The National park Brijuni, an indented group of 14 islands and islets along the western Istrian coast has always been an attractive destination for members of the European and world aristocracy. At the beginning of the 20th century many crowned heads and members of the world`s artistic elite resided in this exclusive summer resort.

The islands were chosen as the residency of the leader of former Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito and in that time hosted many interesting names. Sofia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Gina Lollobrigida are only some of the famous people who have visited these islands on which Tito received numerous world leaders of his time.

Brijuni are attractive to members of the world`s jet-set even today. In the past few years Brijuni were visited by Princess Caroline of Monaco, who was astounded by the beauties of the islands and has become their loyal guest, then the world famous tenor Placido Domingo, the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, the American actor of Croatian origin John Malkovich, the fashion designer Ottavio Missoni and the model Naomi Campbell.

A hint of glamour from the time when the magic and beauty of Brijuni was enjoyed by the political elite of the former communist regime can still be felt in the three, so called, Tito`s villas. They are the villa Lovorka, Primorka and Dubravka. Located in the south east part of the island Veliki Brijun right next to the sea front and surrounded by the richly preserved Mediterranean vegetation, the three stone villas offer peace, privacy and a perfect ambience for visitors wishing to escape everyday life.

Villa Lovorka, built in 1931 and renovated this year is composed of two ground floor parts able to accommodate six persons. The villa also has its own pier. The oldest villa, Primorka, was built in 1907and can accommodate eight people. It is located in the park shared with villa Dubravka which is suitable for four people.

This villa was built in 1956. All three villas have a housekeeper and a gardener. Besides the stone villas, accommodation can be found in the hotel Neptun-Istra, which is located on the sea front in the central port of Veliki Brijun. It has 67 rooms and 20 apartments and in its velocity in also the hotel Karmen, with 57 rooms.

Besides their history and the numerous great names they have accommodated, Brijuni are famous for their geological-paleontological remains. On just four of the sites on Veliki Brijun more than 200 dinosaur foot prints were discovered and already while getting off the boat on the shore of the port, visitors are greeted by dinosaurs; on the limy stone block brought from one of the Brijuni quarries, a three toed dinosaur footprint can be clearly seen.

It is important to mention that the mild Mediterranean climate is also to be credited for a pleasant stay on the Brijuni islands. There is a lot of sun, warmth and moist air which ensures rich vegetation.

Sand Rider 1 (Testing and underwater sledge with a Gopro cam mounted on it)

The underwater sledge Sand Rider was designed by Manu Esteve and built at the Museum of Natural Sciences at Madrid by Miguel Angel Luengo.

The trials were made from the Matasanos boat in waters off Isla de Lobos, Fuerteventura (Canary Islands)

People participating on this project were

Alvaro de Astica
Alina Kunz
Luca
Axel de Astica
Mafalda Esteve
Manu Esteve
Enrique de Astica
Alessandra Grusovin

Thanks to all my viewers!!

Manu