Chapter 47: Searching for a True Polo Family Lineage

Returning to the hotel, Rinota and Lintang were particularly delighted by the unusually beautiful colors of the sunset in Venice in winter.Bali is known for unusually beautiful sunsets, but in Venice the sunset in January 2025, was unusual even for the natives of Venice.Usually the sunsets are in purple-pink shades, and the most beautiful, this time before the sunset in the sea, the clouds crept into Byzantine blue-dove shades, creating unusual fluffy shapes."Beautifully", they stood watching from the shore.Around them were other tourists who were also mesmerized by the unusual scene and palette of colors at sunset to rest behind the open sea."After experiencing the amazingly colorful sun set in Venice, there is a much more beautiful sunset palette in Zadar, where everyone claims that the sunset is a miracle of nature and the most beautiful in the world.Tomorrow the ferry leaves for the city of Pula, the journey takes only 1 hour and 30 minutes to Rovinj near Pula, from there we need to transfer to the airport in Pula and we are in Zadar in 35 minutes by plane."Really, of course, there are other types of travel, but I really like traveling by boat around the Adriatic.""Excuse me, where can we board the ferry? We are also traveling to Zadar, " asked Lintang and Rinota and the tourists showed them how to get to the ferry that sails to Pula."See you tomorrow at the port, " they waved as they left.That's how it was, early the next day Rinota and Lintang were waiting in the port for the ferry that was supposed to leave at 9 am.For that day, meteorologists predicted sunny weather, and the ferry set sail with curious adventure passengers.Although it was the beginning of January, there were a lot of travelers returning after the holidays spent in Venice. The freshness of the morning air was sharp as to pinch their cheeks, they stood on the deck watching the ship pass by the Adriatic Sea, which lapped the branching coast full of countless islands and coves."And how would it be better to go from Pula to Zadar by boat or by plane, which is faster and only takes half an hour, so that we can arrive in time to see the panorama of the sunset and settle in a hotel room, let's go by plane this time.""Better by plane, after all, it is warmer in the plane, if we are not used to winter and have not yet adapted to these climatic conditions, " said Rinota, throwing his warm coat over her shoulder."Rinota, I already have one coat.""If people must wear three pairs of thick socks in Siberia, you can wear two coats in the wind-chilling Adriatic storm."Traveling together, the two seemed to forget the past and now indulged in the adventure of discovering the secret messages of the Queen of Bali.Pula was a film city with its amphitheater and film festival popular in the world of film, but the ancient city of Zadar charmed with its intertwined paved narrow streets and squares, reminiscent in architecture of the Venetian style of construction, but again different and a city that had its own personal story and charmOf course, they were more than enchanted by the panorama of the sunset, the warm colors of the sky warmed them with beauty on the winter eve that was sending the sun to rest."Tomorrow we will continue, but now we better rest, " Rinota told her."In the city, we can first try local food, " protested Lintang, the scent of fried squid from a nearby restaurant attracted them, and there they tried a local specialty with a much different taste than in Bali."Very tasty, " said Rinota, "it's sweet, who would have thought?"Zadar is an urban city, with an old core from ancient times, the next city on their journey was Sibenik, which was reached by bus in about 50 minutes.Šibenik also had its culture of festivals and theaters for children, and the streets were even narrower with many staircases and small shops in the old part of town.The camera was recording a frame of the film, and the film crew was working without addressing the passers-by who were delighted to recognize the actors from Game of ThronesSo, a new series is being filmed."We will also have to make a new film about the kingdom of Bali and overseas trade, what do you think of that idea, Lintang?""Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to tell you.""So, this is where Marco Polo's family comes from?"When they were talking about Marco Polo one old cameraman approached them."Yes, you are right, that is the secret of this old medieval town, which only few people know.I am curious how you find Marco Polo's family background?Even Marco Polo didn't write that in his book "Il Milione", you know why don't you?"It must be just one reason, Sibenico was no territory that belonged to the Republic of Venice at the time when Marco Polo was working and living in Venecia", Rinota answered honestly.Republic of Venice. "Yes, it could influence his business badly, if he wrote that, therefore Polo was balancing working in Venecia and building trade ships on Korcula island. Many years later Fortress Barone was built by Venetian military leaders so that was the reason they gave the name Barone to the building, and that time the Republic of Venice protected the city from the Ottoman empire. But many people still call this fortress Subicevac hill because that was the royal family which was ruling before the Sibenik and North Dalmatia including Bribir where they lived and had their own fortress." "We are planning to visit Bribir.""In that case let me be your guide. Let me introduce myself -I am Giovanni Polo."They look at each other."My father was from Italy, and my mother was born in Bribir, but I grew up in this town with green doors.Actually I just came for New year holidays to visit my hometown, long time ago I migrated to Germany where I work as a photojournalist for newspapers.""In which hotel are you staying?""We didn't decide on a jet.""I see,I recommend to you a nice and quiet place in a small town nearby, my German friends like that area very much, once you come there you will understand that it is best."Rinota and Lintang hesitate."Don't worry I am here to help you, yes, you have to know that I don't sell my photos of famous people, and you both are not just ordinary tourists, everybody can see that. " "We are just a newly wed couple.""Yes, and why are you hiding or your parents not accepting a marriage of a different rich cultural tradition?My current wife is from China, but we live far from here, so from time to time I am visiting my mother. "My wife speaks Italian better than me, in North Italy she worked before, there was a big Chinese business community, that's the reason we met at one media event where it was my job to take photos for magazines. Now we are based in Berlin, but we are thinking about moving to live in China soon.""Interestingly, my wife has Chinese ancestors, now we live in Indonesia. We are actors.""In that case, I will show you our old theatre, justy be best known in Europe, and we had the first electrical light inside the theatre. The city of Sibenik appears in the serial Game of thrones, also from this area we have famous filmmakers and hills around river Krka many times appear as film locations for German long serial Winnetou.We will see that natural resort tomorrow while traveling to Bribir.Yes, I would like to stay in a good hotel too. Here is a tourist guide book of the city or you can stay in my friend's apartment in a villa they rent to tourists, now it is empty, just we have to go by car to that area. If you have a driving licence it is necessary to rent a car to visit different places outside urban cities, local people also rent bicycles too. I understand, still I didn't convince you, never mind, If I leave you two alone, honestly I will worry because some unknown people have been following you since you came from Venice.Let me see, if you are famous actors you must be surrounded by paparazzi, so better to go to a place where they can't find you easily."Finally they accepted his offering.Big villa was in a small village near harburn.They were surprised with the luxury interior style inside, everything was in gold details and marble stone. This village is for VIP guests, where they can spend holidays in peace, far from noisy urban cities and metropoles. Owner of villa was women in her 50-s and she showed them place and give key, "Now is no other guests so you can use all villa space, I am living in town.If you like to cook by yourself, there are two supermarkets in a village near the villa."Rinota and Lintang spend time together reflecting about their traveling and future plans.They were planning to go shopping when the owner of the villa came with a big basket full of food. "I forgot to tell you that supermarkets close early, so I prepared local dishes especially for you two, I never do this for other guests. Giovanni told me that you are from Indonesia, you are my first guests from ASEAN.When I was young I studied about your country, also your president visited our country, that picture where he was shaking hands with our president was in school study books. Are you planning to visit Split?You are close to Princess Anita of Brunei, whose father's origin is from that town.""Thank you so much, we are thinking about visiting Bribir and Korcula, but on the way back perhaps we can take an airplane from Split airport.""In my garden I grow fruits from Asia, in Sibenik we call these fruits Chinese fruits, but we don't know their real names and she gives them fresh fruits.""That is kesemek, it is a very healthy fruit from the South China area", said Lintang.When the landlady left, Lintang said to Rinota:"Hey, do you realize this is another sign? The fruit we received as a gift.The Queen of Bali also reached the city of Šibenik, where Marco Polo's parents came from, and since then people have been growing the kesemek fruit here.Tomorrow we will not go to Bribir, according to the pictures of the old fortress of the Subic dynasty, there are only a few walls left, there is no sign that the queen of Bali used to visit there, whose grave we are looking for because it is not in Bali, and the coffin with the body of Marco Polo and his father has disappeared without a trace.""Sibenik is a smaller city, but it has the largest number of fortresses in this region of the world.I think the Barone fortress carries a mysterious message in it from the Polo noble family.MILIONE is the palatial court and residence of the Polo family, the BARONE fortress is a continuation of that message.Barone is a name for noble families, but the name contains the city BAR, after Korcula we will visit the port of Bar in Montenegro.What's your opinion on this?""That's it, you're right.""Let's try kesemek, this is a special variety."He bit a piece of fruit and ate it."I like it, even though it is not the same as in Indonesia.""I'll try it too", said Lintang."Better not, " he disagreed. "What's the matter, why not?""This variety is very acidic, the taste is sweet at first, then sour. Don't be disappointed with the taste.""I know, it's not yet ripe, that's why it's like jelly, but I really like this variety, which is the most healing for the stomach.""Before it ripens, it is picked early because crows occupy the tree all day until the last fruit.""Yes, the owners leave it on the tree to fully ripen, and also as a decorative ornament, that's how it is in Asia, so crows caw all day long in the garden.""It's interesting how quiet it is here," he said.At that moment the phone rang."Rinota, it's time for you two to go back to Jakarta", a voice was heard on the phone."Father, we are only in the first half of the honeymoon, do you want to spoil this unique chance for us to spend a nice and pleasant honeymoon.""I know you are on your honeymoon, but this month started with many catastrophic accidents, many passengers died in a plane crash that happened on a flight from Thailand which is an ASEAN member.Mother started to worry about you, we forgive everything and accept your wife, the most important thing is that you are alive and healthy.""Well, father, then it's better to return by ferry instead of by plane, and that takes longer than air transport."Rinota was trying to extend his stay in Europe.Now his father also realized that it would be less dangerous that way."Okay, I'll talk to your mother about everything and let you know.""Father, I would like to ask you something?""Say it freely!""Did you send security because I noticed that some unknown people are following me from a distance, they seem to be from our area?""I did, I sent them to watch over you.""Well, father, I'm not the little prince!""Son, these are the times, and you are a famous person and you need security in case there is an accident, or someone attacks you, I sent them only to be your stronger defense, you know.""I can't take off my skin and transform into some strongman, I am who I am father, even if I know martial arts and I don't need an escort."