The ultimate HiveFest experience - adventure of a lifetime

Okay, folks, buckle up, because I want to summon up the whole experience of the HiveFest. So, let me just say this loud and clear – this was an experience like no other. If you’ve been following my posts, you already know a lot of what happened. I know chatting with people behind the screen is fun and all, but meeting these incredible humans face to face? That’s where the real connections happen. The energy, the laughs, the shared experiences, it was all so real and just wow.

Alright, let's break it down day by day ( in short versions), because each one was packed with awesomeness!

Day 1 - HiveFest begins! We walked into a room full of people. You know their usernames, maybe even exchanged a few messages, but now, there they are, standing right in front of you. It was honestly overwhelming (in the best way possible)! The conversations flowed instantly, and I was chatting with so many people that I’m pretty sure if I stayed one more hour, I would’ve lost my voice. I’m not kidding. It felt like I’d known these people forever. The first day was all about connections – real, genuine connections.

Day 2 - The second day was all about diving deep into Hive – learning about the technology, listening to speakers, and just absorbing all the wisdom floating around. it was hot, but we’re by the sea, so who’s complaining? I kind of wanted that good weather! My brain was working overtime trying to take in all the information. Every speaker brought so much knowledge and enthusiasm to the table. My head was spinning, but in a good way – like, you know when you’ve learned so much that you feel smarter but also a bit fried? That was me by the end of the day. And oh, the dinner! We had this beautiful dinner in the evening, and let me tell you. I’m still dreaming about that food.Fancy dinners aside, it was another chance to bond with everyone, share stories, and have a few laughs. If the first day was all about meeting people, the second was definitely about deepening those connections.

Now, let me talk about Day 3 because this one blew my mind. First off, we were in the most stunning building, which had an underground dungeon! That’s right , we were learning in this cool, medieval-looking space that made the whole experience even more epic. I felt like I was in some secret society gathering! And the speakers? They were on fire. The passion they had for Hive and the community was contagious. I mean, they had me ready to start coding and changing the world (okay, maybe not coding – baby steps – but you get the idea). The dedication these people have, the way they’re contributing to Hive and beyond, it’s mind-blowing.

Also, a big shoutout to the coffee shop where we paid with HBD. Sitting in the heart of Split, sipping amazing coffee, and paying with HBD like it’s the most normal thing in the world. If that’s not progress, I don’t know what is! Hive is EVERYWHERE, even in the heart of Split. I’m definitely coming back there.

Alright, Day 4 didn’t go exactly as planned. Some things fell through, but honestly, this was now the day we all just chilled out together, and it was amazing. Everyone was so relaxed, chatting loudly, laughing even louder, and the whole room was buzzing with good vibes. Oh, and did I mention I came in second place in the poker tournament?! I did, and I’ve been bragging about it to all my friends ever since, and now they’re scared to face me at the card table. Watch out! ;)

Now, for the grand finale – Day 5 was EVERYTHING I dreamed it would be and more. Oh, just casually got to ride in a freaking rally car! And not just any rally car. No, no, this was the Hive Rally Car, sponsored by the community and driven by the absolute legend Slaven Šekuljica. This guy? Total daredevil. Fearless. I was pumped, but also a tiny bit nervous. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. Slaven was such a pro that all my nerves disappeared the second we started. Maybe it also helped that I’m so small I couldn’t see out the window, so I just felt the speed instead! 😂 Honestly, it was exhilarating. The speed, the sound of the engine, the adrenaline, it was like nothing I’ve ever done before. @ssekulji is an incredible driver, and I can’t thank the Hive community enough for making this happen. It was one of those bucket-list experiences that I’ll be talking about for years to come. Now, of course, I’m dreaming about getting behind the wheel myself one day. You never know, I might have a future in racing! 😉

And now for a bit of drama, because, of course, it wouldn’t be a true adventure without it, right? After an amazing lunch on the last day, my husband and I decided to take a little rest before the final evening gathering. I was all set to say my goodbyes and thank everyone for supporting me, but life had other plans. Instead of waking up refreshed, I had a minor epileptic seizure. Yep, a petit mal seizure, right there in bed. I kind of knew something like this might happen – I had been on such a high all week that my body was bound to crash at some point. It happens when I finally relax after being full of adrenaline for days. My poor husband was there by my side the whole time, so unfortunately, we didn’t get to make it to the last gathering to say our goodbyes in person. I’m really bummed I didn’t get to properly thank everyone, but jeah, health first, right?

All in all, HiveFest was one of the best experiences I’ve had in a long, long time. From the incredible people I met to the unforgettable experiences (seriously, rally car ride for the win), it was a week I’ll never forget. Huge, massive shoutout to @lordbutterfly for organizing this whole thing. I can’t even imagine the amount of work that went into making HiveFest happen on such a large scale, but wow, did he pull it off!

And now, I’m already counting down the days until next year. HiveFest is more than just an event, it’s a family reunion, an opportunity to learn, laugh, and grow with the most amazing people. Thank you to everyone who made this possible, and here’s hoping my husband and I can make it to the next one!

Until then, keep being awesome, Hive!

“Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want.” – Ken Poirot

With love, @tinabrezpike❤️