Central Dalmatia with Jenny, Jeff and Lachy
Gomilica & Split
Tuesday May 30
After dropping Julie and Alan off in Split we moved on to Marina Kaštela in Gomilica (just outside Split) to get ready for our next guests. Monday night we relaxed, and Tuesday we got busy cleaning The Lass from head to toe, getting her ship shape for Jenny, Jeff and Lachy (Colin's sister, brother-in-law and nephew). They arrived around 1700hrs and we welcomed them with champagne and beer.
Wedensday morning we headed into Split for sight seeing and market shopping. Such a buzzing and stunning place, I doubt I will ever tire of it.
After lunch we headed to Hvar to give our guests a taste of the island life.
Photos by Jeff and Nic. Click images to enlarge
After dropping Julie and Alan off in Split we moved on to Marina Kaštela in Gomilica (just outside Split) to get ready for our next guests. Monday night we relaxed, and Tuesday we got busy cleaning The Lass from head to toe, getting her ship shape for Jenny, Jeff and Lachy (Colin's sister, brother-in-law and nephew). They arrived around 1700hrs and we welcomed them with champagne and beer.
Wedensday morning we headed into Split for sight seeing and market shopping. Such a buzzing and stunning place, I doubt I will ever tire of it.
After lunch we headed to Hvar to give our guests a taste of the island life.
Photos by Jeff and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Otok Hvar
Uvala Vela Garška 25NM, 4.5hrs
Wednesday May 31
Vela Garška cove is south west on the island of Hvar. From ancient times the coves in this area were used as shelters in stormy weathers.
A very friendly attendant offered us "free" mooring if we ate at the restaurant, Konoba Mareta, and convinced us with his Croatian charm that we would be missing out if we didn't. Jenny ordered fish, and a selection was brought to table so she could choose.
Thursday morning was glassy and the konoba had a visitor, a deer eating salt from the rocks at the water's edge. Pretty game considering it IS the game as this is a hunting area.
Lachy found the highest point to jump off, as is his wont, and Jenny (not to be outdone by Elaine) performed a headstand on a SUP!
Photos by Colin and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Wednesday May 31
Vela Garška cove is south west on the island of Hvar. From ancient times the coves in this area were used as shelters in stormy weathers.
A very friendly attendant offered us "free" mooring if we ate at the restaurant, Konoba Mareta, and convinced us with his Croatian charm that we would be missing out if we didn't. Jenny ordered fish, and a selection was brought to table so she could choose.
Thursday morning was glassy and the konoba had a visitor, a deer eating salt from the rocks at the water's edge. Pretty game considering it IS the game as this is a hunting area.
Lachy found the highest point to jump off, as is his wont, and Jenny (not to be outdone by Elaine) performed a headstand on a SUP!
Photos by Colin and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Sveti Klement (Paklinski Islands)
Vinogradišće via Hvar 4.5NM, 2hrs
Thursday June 1
Hvar was the next bay around from Vela Garška. The mooring was a little tricky to hook up to given the winds, but with ingenuity and anchors we got there in the end. However, with no-one to help us moor up there were no fees either, though we only stayed an hour or so. The port town of Hvar is striking with its hilltop fortress and a main square with the Renaissance-era Hvar Cathedral. It seemed a lot more clean and sparkly than the other old towns we've seen, perhaps accounting for its appeal as a tourist hot spot.
After Hvar we headed to the smaller islands for the night. The Paklinski islands are located off the southwest coast of the island of Hvar, a chain of islands approximately 10 kilometres long with a very indented coastline providing many peaceful coves. Unfortunately we chose the least peaceful one in the chain, Vinogradišće, situated on the main island of Sveti Klement. Although Lachy seemed unperturbed by the arrival of twelve yachts full of young, topless French women and men, the rest of us thought better of being in the midst of an all night party and voted to move to the outer edge of the cove, and party all night they did! It was very quiet in the morning lemme tell ya.
Photos by Jeff and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Thursday June 1
Hvar was the next bay around from Vela Garška. The mooring was a little tricky to hook up to given the winds, but with ingenuity and anchors we got there in the end. However, with no-one to help us moor up there were no fees either, though we only stayed an hour or so. The port town of Hvar is striking with its hilltop fortress and a main square with the Renaissance-era Hvar Cathedral. It seemed a lot more clean and sparkly than the other old towns we've seen, perhaps accounting for its appeal as a tourist hot spot.
After Hvar we headed to the smaller islands for the night. The Paklinski islands are located off the southwest coast of the island of Hvar, a chain of islands approximately 10 kilometres long with a very indented coastline providing many peaceful coves. Unfortunately we chose the least peaceful one in the chain, Vinogradišće, situated on the main island of Sveti Klement. Although Lachy seemed unperturbed by the arrival of twelve yachts full of young, topless French women and men, the rest of us thought better of being in the midst of an all night party and voted to move to the outer edge of the cove, and party all night they did! It was very quiet in the morning lemme tell ya.
Photos by Jeff and Nic. Click images to enlarge
Otok Brać
Uvala Lučice 13NM, 2hrs
Friday June 2 After the heaving masses of Vinogradišće we thought we would show our guests somewhere a bit more serene, and as Friday is charter boat changeover day we knew all the bays would be quiet. Thursday nights are the finish of the week long charters, which goes some way to explaining the hard core partying last night. Once again we weren't disappointed by the tranquil beauty of Lučice. Our nice young man came to help us moor up again and remembered us from last time. There was only two other boats in the bay and he put us right next to one of them. We immediately saw they were an Australian registered boat from Fremantle, can you believe it?! We met them across the water when they returned to their boat in the afternoon and arranged to meet for drinks at 1800hrs. Turns out I knew two of them from their Fremantle natural therapy business and they all live within five or ten minutes of us at home, and of course we had mutual friends both in Fremantle and Broome. After dinner the boys grabbed their instruments (no really) and had a jam session, Jeff on guitar, Colin on harmonicas, and Jenny, Lachy and me on backing vocals. Our Freo neighbours slept through it, more's the pity for them. Saturday morning Colin and I did the inland walk to Milna, already traversed by Julie and Alan last week and Jenny, Jeff and Lachy yesterday. The walk was lined with magnificent flowers and bugs, orchards and vines. Most enjoyable. Once we got to Milna we forgot to buy the one thing we went there for, a Croatian restaurant guide! We got other essentials though...chocolate, eggs, and electrical cable to wire up a saloon fan. Click images to enlarge |
Our new Freo cruising friends!
From left: Tchoumi, Geoff, Deb, Nic, Colin |
Bobovišće 6NM, 1.5hrs
Saturday June 3
We revisited the beautiful Bobovišće for more peace and tranquility. A few boats arrived throughout the afternoon but it was a fairly quiet evening, despite the televising of the World Cup in the Konoba Vala.
For dinner Colin grilled fresh squid from the Split market. Six squid for AU$6 and they were sensational!!
Photos by Jeff. Click images to enlarge
Saturday June 3
We revisited the beautiful Bobovišće for more peace and tranquility. A few boats arrived throughout the afternoon but it was a fairly quiet evening, despite the televising of the World Cup in the Konoba Vala.
For dinner Colin grilled fresh squid from the Split market. Six squid for AU$6 and they were sensational!!
Photos by Jeff. Click images to enlarge
Gomilica & Trogir 12NM, 3hrs
Sunday June 4
The end of a very chilled week with Jenny, Jeff and Lachy who treated us to dinner in the old city of Trogir. Early the next morning our they departed for Scotland where they will continue their adventures. Thank you Jenny, Jeff and Lachy for your relaxed company, delicious breakfast eggs, and boat jam session. Enjoy your next travels!!
Photos by Jeff and Nic. Click images to enlarge
The end of a very chilled week with Jenny, Jeff and Lachy who treated us to dinner in the old city of Trogir. Early the next morning our they departed for Scotland where they will continue their adventures. Thank you Jenny, Jeff and Lachy for your relaxed company, delicious breakfast eggs, and boat jam session. Enjoy your next travels!!
Photos by Jeff and Nic. Click images to enlarge