Croatia and Dalmatian cruise

Today we had a driver take us up the coast to Sibenik, about 1 hour drive from Trogir. It's a beautiful coastline, inlets and islands. A perfect area for sailboats,and we see many. Sibenik has a very well protected harbour with a small entrance. It's been an important port since the middle ages. Like most of Croatia it's been under many rulers, and still shows a lot of influence from Venice. It's a beautiful city, and the old town is much larger than Dubrovnik, and also much less crowded. Tourists are just beginning to discover Sibenik. We had a wonderful guide, Ante, who gave us a run-down of the history and told us about the many wonderful buildings including the magnificent cathedral built of interlocking limestone. The baptistery is a beautiful round room with lots of carving, and stonework allowing the morning sun to shine in. The town has many old palaces once owned by noble familys. They look very ordinary from the outside, the only way to tell it was owned by no

This morning we said a fond farewell to the Kapetan Bota, and our fellow passengers. Jessie & I went for another walk through the old town, and managed to find the hidden garden again. Our pickup is 10:00am, and we have Anna, the same guide as yesterday to take us to Trogir. Nice comfortable air conditioned van. It takes about 1 hour to Trogir, as traffic is heavy in places. We drop our bags at Pasike hotel, and go on our walking tour with Anna. Trogir was a wealthy town, and the buildings and churches show it. Beautiful carvings and decorations. The town is on a small island, and some of the old walls still remain. The streets are like a maze, they run in all directions! Lots of small hotels, restaurants and shops. Kairos, god of enjoying the moment. He is the symbol of Trogir, reminding us to seize the day! We have coffee and an almond pastry called rafioli. The we walk over to the market to buy a sandwich and eat it in the park. By that time we can check into our hotel. The staf

A short crossing this morning from the island of Brac to Omis which is on the mainland. The town of Omis is back-dropped by high cliffs. It used to be a pirate strong hold. Now it's a lovely sea side resort with a long stretch of beach, and the old town under the fortress on the cliffs. We walk out on the breakwater and watch several people spear fishing (we didn't see them catch anything), then back to town along the Cetina river. Some of houses are almost built into the cliff, and the rock climbers are right over the town! This seems to be an active place with climbing, hiking and rafting on offer. We stop for a coffee & to buy a print from an artist that trained in Split and Zagreb. We have a little over 2 hours to explore the town, then back to Split eating lunch on the way. Another great lunch, fresh tomato pasta, grouper served with cabbage and potatoes, and creme caramel for dessert. At 2pm those of us who chose the optional tour head out for Krka national park. (50

Many of us seemed to be moving a little slower this morning. Mid morning naps were common! I think we all had fun last night. There was a bit of overcast and haze this morning, and little wind. We cruised north again, and passed Korcula, and rounded the south end of Hvar. Great view of the mainland mountains. We had another swim stop off Hvar, the water seemed warmer today, most people stayed in longer. It's amazing how buoyant the water is! Another wonderful lunch, one of the best Greek salads ever, then a local beef dish with polenta and gnocchi. Banana split for dessert. We arrive in Pucisca about 2:30pm. Much warmer again, about 27C. Pucisca is known for it's stone, this is the source for the stone the White House in Washington is built of, along with many Roman sites. There is a school for stone masonry, one of the few left. Young people come from all over the world to lea n how to carve stone here. We have a tour of the school, then go to see a man who after leaving the

In the morning we leave Dubrovnik and cruise along the coast with our usual swim stop. The water felt a little warmer today. We keep saying every place we’ve gone to on this trip is the prettiest, well Mijet really is stunning. The north end of the island where we land at Pomena, has a national park nearby with 2 salt water lakes. The color of the lakes is similar to glacier lakes, a deep blue green. The lakes are joined by a small channel, and there is also a channel dug by monks that joins the larger lake to the sea.There is an island in the larger lake with an old monastery. A ferry goes once an hour.Most of our group go to the island, but Ian &I decide to rent bikes instead, and cycle round the lakes.  70 Kuna entrance to the park, and 75 Kuna to rent bikes for the day.An easy ride, about 2 hours with lots of stops. No cars and a level path. Mostly pine trees providing shade, and a lovely temp for riding, about 23 C. The lake is actually connected to the sea though a passage

Today we cruised south to Dubrovnik. We were going into the wind so for the first time it was cool enough to need a jacket on while underway. I didn’t go for a swim today, but enjoyed the hot tub! We cruised through many small islands, and past some wind farms on the main-land. We arrived in the port of Dubrovnik about 2:30pm. A very impressive suspension bridge spans one arm of the bay. We first had a scenic bus ride, then a walking tour of the old town. Nicola was a very enthusiastic guide with a great love for Dubrovnik. It is amazing how well the war damage has been fixed. There are very few signs of it left. Luckily there are no big cruise ships in, but still the town is busy.  The buildings are so beautiful and the walls are stunning. This time we didn’t walk the walls of the city, but instead took the gondola to the top of the mountain over Dubrovnik.  This is the French fort that the people of Dubrovnik used to defend themselves during the Homeland war in 1991. There is a