2011 - My Tiki Tour (Part 12 - Croatian cruise)

This was a trip I had seen a while ago and thought it would be very relaxing. I was right. Seven days of doing very little except eating (the meals provided were huge), sitting in the sun on deck chairs, watching the superb scenery roll past, walk around the towns and cities we visited (basically to walk off the huge lunch served) and reading. All very exhausting.

Saturday - After a huge lunch we were off. In the late afternoon, we stopped at Makarska, a small port with nice bars and restaurants on the waterfront.

Makarska port.

The main square of Makarska.

Sunday - Early start. This was not such a great thing as my cabin was downstairs right next to the engine room, so when the engines kicked into life at 7:30am, there went my sleep in. Pulled up at Mljet National Park. Very scenic lakes and the Monastery of Saint Mary on an island in the middle of the lake.

A town we motored past.

The town of Korčula as we motored past.

The fortifications of Korčula.

The boat tied up in Mljet.

The malo jezero (small lake) on Mljet.

The Monastery of St Mary.

Excavations in the monastery.

Inside the monastery.

Ice plants at the monastery.

The veliko jerzero (large lake) on Mljet.

Monday - Another early start. Motored most of the day towards Dubrovnik. Weather not that good at all. Afternoon and evening in the old town, wandering around the rebuilt area. It was badly damaged in the wars of 1991 / 1992 but they have restored it back to its original state.

A view from the sea.

The Fort Minčeta.

One of the many alley ways climbing up towards the walls.

The view down the Placa.

You find them everywhere!

The view up the Placa towards the Franciscan Monastery.

One of the many side alleys in Dubrovnik.

The main entranceway to the old town.

Orlando's Column in Dubrovnik.

Tuesday - We spent the morning in Dubrovnik, this time walking the complete loop of the city walls. You can get some great photos of the city and all the new roofs. Afternoon sail (well, motor) to tiny village of Trstenik. Captain's Dinner of superb fish and so on.

The Croatian flag flying proudly from the ramparts.

The obligatory arty photo.

Another view of the new red roofs.

The walls.

The main entrance to the old town.

More new tiles.

A sea of red tiles.

The Pile Gate in Dubrovnik.

Swimming near Dubrovnik.

The Meridijan tied up at Trstenik.

The entire village of Trstenik.

Wednesday - A slow motor to Korčula, via another island. Wandered around the town and found a cafe serving pizza, beer and ice hockey, and thus missed a superb sunset.

Typical church near Korčula.

Typical house near Korčula.

More of Korčula.

A church in Korčula.

A passage to somewhere in Korčula.

The entrance to the old town in Korčula.

The fortifications in Korčula.

Thursday - To Hvar via a secluded bay where a lot of people went swimming. Not me. Too cold. Maybe in late August when it has warmed up a bit. This is a very upmarket place and the prices confirm that it caters for the jet setters. However, a number of us did find a very good restaurant next to the bus station. The Dalmatian stew was excellent.

Cruising into Hvar.

The waterfront in Hvar.

The main church in Hvar.

Restaurants in Hvar.

Friday - An early start again and we pulled up in Bol for a short while. Arrived back in Split just on lunch time. Met up with George and Karen whilst wandering around the Riva and we found a small place on a side street that did some great food.

Saturday - The end. Said goodbyes to everyone and moved to my hotel in the centre of the old town.

Summary: The cruise was excellent. There were about 30 people on board, Australians, British, Kiwis, Americans and a couple of South Africans. The five crew were all locals. The cook, Ivan, turned out some superb meals every day for lunch, each being three courses plus a side salad. The boat was new and in very good condition and the cabins very comfortable, if somewhat noisy if you had the one by the engine room.

The port side.

The best seat in the house.

The saloon on board.

Swim time.

Captain Damir concentrating on his parallel parking.
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