Q: "What was one of the happiest times in your life and what made it special?"

The question of happiness was always an interesting subject to me. What makes us happy, truly happy? For those of you who have kids, I am sure you will say how they are your happiness. Maybe you who are married will say how that day was the happiest in your life. Was it the first day you spent the night in your new house? I have not experienced those big changing moments that stick with you for the rest of your life but I did have my share of happy moments, and honestly, it is not that hard to pick my favorites.

Istria is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. My country has a bird shape and Istria county is the head. Maybe that has something to do with the smartest people living there and maybe it is something else but the fact remains, if you want the best people in Croatia, go to Istria.

To get to Istria, you have to pass Učka mountain, over or through it, and whenever I go through that tunnel and exit it on the Istria side, I get a feeling of being home. Istria was always like a magnet to me, pulling me to it, calling me and welcoming.

This is the most open-minded county in Croatia, always has been. People there do not care about your religion, skin color, sex preferences or gender. They treat you as what you are, a human being. People in Istria are not obsessed with past but turned toward the future and politically, they were always left oriented with no fanaticism at all. Open, friendly, educated, organized, modern and with so much love to give. A couple of years ago, we had a referendum and voted whether a gay marriage should be called "a marriage", Istria was the only place where people who voted yes were a majority. Istria is the only place in Croatia where concerts of foreign musicians are not banned because of their nationality and guess where you can find swinger clubs? Yup, in Istria.

You know how some people have a life's dream of being rich or having 10 children or owning their own company? I have only one goal in life, to live in Istria. It is a rich county with the longest tourist season, great companies and a lot of money being put in the countries pockets with getting almost nothing in return. Istria has business oriented people with great ideas and solutions, great innovations and perspective. It is ideal to live in because of its pleasant Mediterranean climate and opportunities that await you there, from cities to countryside, Istria has it all. The vibe, Istria has a certain vibe that will make you fall in love with it.

I have visited it so many times that I have lost count. Every time was special and every time was unique with so much happiness and joy. I saw most of its cities and forests, went deep into underground caves and swam on its beaches. I have listened to concerts in the great arena of Pula and slept in nature camps in Bale. I know every house by color in Rovinj and every stone in the smallest town on Earth, Hum. In my heart, I am Istrian. In my mind, I am Istrian.

When I am in Istria, I am in my zen zone. There is no stress, no anxiety, anger or sadness, only joy, only pleasure. I am free there, free and happy and I get to eat truffles, lots of truffles. I can not say what was the best time there because every time I was there was special. Every time was magical and unique. I can not choose, it is simply impossible. The happiest times of my life were when I was walking in Istria, swimming, dancing, singing, and sleeping in Istria. The happiest times in my life were always in Istria. Istria, it is always Istria. I have more love for it than any words could ever describe. I live my life in a way that my every action is questioned, will it bring me closer to Istria? Will my every move, decision and thought get me there faster? This is how I live. With a constant obsession to move there and I will. Oh, I most definitely will. Mark my words, I will be living there one day.

The first time I was in Istria was when I was only 14 years old, and since I am turning 33 tomorrow, that makes this a 19-year-old love that only grows stronger with each passing day. It is a love that is spread throughout my entire being. Each and every one of my cells loves Istria, my organs, hearth and brain, from my pinky toe to the hair on my head.