A family’s story begins at Baldarin
For our family, Baldarin Camp has never been just a campsite. It is a place deeply woven into our family history — a place of memories, friendships, traditions, and emotions that span generations.
My grandparents, Klaus and Brigitte “Gitti” Wagner, first arrived at Baldarin in 1969 with their three children. My mother, the eldest, was only sixteen years old at the time. Back then, the campsite was still called Eldorado Akapulka.
It was owned by a German named Hubert, and my grandfather soon became closely involved in camp life, taking over many responsibilities as Hubert’s deputy during those early years.
Friendships that lasted a lifetime
Every summer, Baldarin became a meeting place for friends from all across Europe — families from Holland, Czechoslovakia, Slovenia, Germany, and Belgium returned year after year. Lifelong friendships were created around tents, shared meals, evening conversations, and endless summers by the sea.
From the first campsite to plot number 1
In the beginning, my family camped below the area where the pizzeria stands today. Later, my grandfather personally cleared and prepared what became plot number 1. From then on, it became our family’s permanent place in Baldarin. Even today, the small foundation stone with the initials “K + G 1969” can still be seen there — a quiet reminder of where our family story in Baldarin began.
A place for family milestones
Over the years, Baldarin became the backdrop for many important family moments. My parents spent their honeymoon there in 1974. In 1975, they discovered they were expecting their first child while staying at the camp. And in 1977, I learned to walk there.
Memories collected over the years
Like many families connected to Baldarin, we collected countless stories, memories, and photographs over the decades. Two years ago, for our family’s 55th anniversary connected to the camp, I created a special Baldarin photo album filled with treasured pictures and memories from all those summers together.
Passing the love for Baldarin to the next generation
Today, this connection continues with the next generation. My son first came to Baldarin when he was only five months old, and he loves this place just as deeply as the rest of our family. After many years of hoping, we were finally able to stay again on plot number 1 last year. For me, it was an incredibly emotional moment because that place carries the spirit of my grandparents and the carefree happiness of childhood summers.
A place of strength, memory and connection
Life brought difficult times to our family, and eventually my grandparents could no longer return to the place they loved so dearly. Yet Baldarin always remained part of them. After retiring, they spent entire seasons there, finding peace, happiness, and a true sense of belonging among the pine trees, the sea, and the people who became part of their lives.
The number 1 that became part of her
For me, plot number 1 is far more than just a camping place — it is my place of strength, memory, and connection. That is why I chose to have the number 1 tattooed on my back during a 34-hour tattoo session. Alongside it are symbols deeply connected to Baldarin and my family story: a white Cres deer, a blue Volkswagen Beetle, lavender, and rosemary — scents and images that immediately bring me back to the island and to my grandparents.
One photograph is especially meaningful to us. Every year, before taking the ferry from Valbiska to Merag, we take the same picture in the harbour. The latest one shows my husband and son standing together before continuing the journey toward Baldarin — continuing a tradition that has now lasted for generations.
The two seagulls in my tattoo symbolize my grandparents, Klaus and Gitti — free, peaceful, and forever connected to the place they loved most. Somehow, when I am in Baldarin, I still feel close to them there.
A tradition that continues
And so, every year, we continue counting down the days until we return once again to what will always be, for us, the most beautiful place in the world.