| Another instalment, we are down at Dubrovnik, travelled through our favourite place and birthplace to Marco Polo, though this might be up for dispute with some, especially Italians, Korcula, and onto the island of Miljet, to Dubrovnik. Our sailing from Vis to the top of Korcula Island, Otok Korcula, into Vela Luka, was a bit hit and miss. We were not travelling a big distance, so we indulged in a bit of slow sailing, swimming out the back of Wrighteau, in about 60 metres is a bit unnerving. You can get the picture, a slow food lunch, a wine or two, sun, flat sea, and a bit of bathing. Very pleasant indeed. At Vela Luka we stopped at a little bay called Gradina, the water is so clear that in 8 metres I swam without mask out to the end of the chain and saw the anchor set nicely into the sand. We understand that the water is so clear is that there is no plankton, the smallest form of sea life, and I had thought of that vicious work Global Warming and pollution, but we read in Rod Heikell’s pilot book that it is due to the fact that there is no tidal movement to mix things up, and in Roman times they complained back then that there was a big shortage of fish. Mind you there is always fish on the menus, and fishing boats are most prolific. We bumped into some Kiwis in the morning, well they nearly bumped into us actually, calling out “wake up Kiwis” so that got us going. Unfortunately the one day when there was wind it was on our nose, but only about 15 miles to go, so not so terribly upsetting. Korcula was a treat to return to, the marina is a bit tight to get into, but a hub of activity. We enjoyed a nostalgic walk around it, and this time visited the birthplace of Marco Polo, not much there, but worth a look, and later returned to the terrace bar where we enjoyed orgasms, or some such suggestive names for the cocktails, whilst watching the best sunset to be seen. Well I guess we say that about all the beautiful sunsets. After that we returned to a restaurant which we had such a happy night last year, the name escapes me, but the daughter of our big happy proprietor was there, the restaurant was quite empty, and a bit concerned I approached Ante and asked her if her father was here, and showed her a photo of him and Joe. Her face instantly told the story, he had only passed away 3 months earlier, what could I do but just give her a hug and the photo. We were too sad to eat there, and went to the promenade for a small snack. Next day we fell upon a really good wine shop which filled up some plastic bottles of quite nice wine for about $4 NZ a litre. We just had to restock the financial bucket, when we bumped into the kiwis from the top of the island. Mike and Jude Nelson from Wellington have chartered a yacht for a month, they had with them James and Barbara, living in Switzerland, so after a couple of jars with them we stayed another night, had a lovely evening with them and a superb meal out of a very big fish between all of us. So we got away from Korcula the next day, and once again the time when there is plenty of wind, it is on our nose. This was quite an uncomfortable ride for a couple of hours, but coming into Polace on the top of Miljet was worth the battering. A very big enclosed bay where we anchor in about 14 metres, I feel the people down the southern end of the country anchor a bit more sensibly than up north, not sure why. We paid our 90 kuna each, $22.50, for the privilege of anchoring and also it gives a ticket into the National Park. We enjoyed Lamb under the Bell that night at “Squinty’s” restaurant, we remembered him from last year, and oddly enough he remembered me but not Joe. I assured him I had the same bloke, probably because I try my rambling in Croatian. Next day we did our ride over to the Sea salt lakes, just because we had a ticket to do so, and the ferry boat then takes us over to the little island and Sv Marijana, the monestary of old. As we sat with some refreshments and lunch there were two musicians on their guitars and singing, as we were most enthusiastic about them they came over to our table and became our personal entertainers. The staff all got involved and it really became quite a highlight. Back to the boat for more swimming, and the next day on down the island to Prozura, for more lamb under the bell and familiar faces. Next day down to Saplunara, where we picked up a buoy, and swam countless times, the best thing about a boat is the slightest hint of heat, and into the water one goes without a second thought. We had planned to eat in this night, but the buoys belonged to Kornoba Cod Ante, so we had a small fish between us, and what a night!! First of all we drank with more Australians doing similar to us, with a 50 ft boat, then got chatting with the table next door, and one of them, Mia Bergovich is an actress well known in Croatia, of course they were getting first class treatment, and unfortunately because of their importance the raki was flowing, and as we had made friends it flowed in our direction also. I say unfortunately because it is a challenge to the human system. When we left Miljet we were pleased to leave the wasps. Last year we did not notice any wasps, whether it is because of the heat, or some other phenomena, but there are literally thousands. They are not aggressive but highly annoying, a bit like flies in Australia, darting hither and tither. I drowned countless numbers, then I discovered a fly spray can and it became a new hobby. Our last stop before coming into Dubrovnik was Kolechep, which was only a stop over, but a hectic one, with day trippers and ferry boats creating plenty of movement at anchor and lots to watch, but one night was enough of that. In Dubrovnik we are about a hundred metres from the marina pool, something of relief it is about 35 or more degrees outside. We are unsure of which direction we will take from here, some people are travelling 50 miles out from the border of Albania, but by the time they do that they will be travelling 200 miles down to Corfu, and we would be able to visit Otronto on Italy, which has been recommended, we also might visit Montenegro. So stopping in Dubrovnik for a look and provisions etc, and who knows where we will be next for the next instalment. Take care all Until next time……….
ps, more photos on www.webshots.com/user/Wrighteau |
