Sail Croatia

We had an early start with the taxi arriving at our flat at 3.30am for the hour drive South to London Gatwick Airport, when we finally arrived in Split at 1pm (London time) (don't let anyone tell you travelling in Europe is a quick process) it was super hot. But we found the boat 'Penelopa' and after getting some essentials (blow up swimming devices) we set off for Makarska.

Makarska

Penelopa docked in Makarska

The first night the boys tried to have a big night, but tiredness eventually got them, it has been such a long day. We did however get to check out the bar in a cave along the coast line.

The next day we found out we had been one of the lucky boats (we were steel hulled as opposed to wood like majority of the boats) that had managed to make it to our first stop, while we had blue skies it was very windy. We set off from Makarska for Bol. It was so windy that we couldn't put the deck chairs out on deck and swimming did not seem appealing at all.

We arrived in Bol and discovered we were the only boat to make it, the midnight curfew went out the window that night as there was no other boats there to enforce it and the karaoke on the boat carried on into the wee hours of the morning.

The next day we stayed in Bol for most of the morning before setting off again with the promise that the dreaded wind would drop off.

Me along the water front in Bol

The wind did as promised and we were all able to sunbathe on deck again.

We had a slight change of plans and instead of heading to an outer island we were now going to Hvar, the party island. We arrived around 4 and looked around the island and grabbed something to eat and then party we did!

Ken and I in Hvar on the way up to the fortress

Lol and Nay enjoying a few drinks on board the Penelopa

Lol and I out in Hvar

The next day after our big night enjoying the Hvar nightlife we were roused by 'Big Daddy', the owner of the boat at 11am to tell us we had arrived at the Blue Caves. We were put onto smaller boats and taken around the point and through a hole in the rock to the blue cave, which were quite impressive and feeling a bit seedy I must admit it was nice to have the breeze on my face, though I was desperate to get into the water. The days in Croatia were very hot.

Ken in the blue caves

After lunch on the boat we were taking to a swimming spot (thank goodness) which was amazing and definitely cured the hangover. Nuts, Nay and Ken were brave and climbed to the top of the caves we were swimming at and jumped off (the water was extremely deep), while the rest of our boat watched on.

Ken jumping off the cave

We then went onto the outer most island Vis, which was my favourite. Ken and I spent hours wandering the streets of Vis (which was only opened to tourists in 1989)

Ken in Vis

Wandering the streets of Vis

The next day it was back on board and setting off early heading towards the island of Korcula, the longest leg of our trip, though of course there was time to stop for a swim

Me swimming off the boat

That night we had the Captain's dinner at a recommended place in Korcula and it was really good seafood and it was then followed by a toga party, which, although reluctantly, Ken and Nay did get involved in.

The following day it was onto Mjet, the national park. We spent most the of the day in Mjet, arriving mid morning.

An afternoon swim off the rocks in Mjet

The following day it was then onto Dubrovnik, the wind started to pick up again but we were all able to still enjoy some last sunbathing efforts before heading into Dubrovnik city.

Me in the Old Town

Ken and I on the city walls

Dubrovnik was one of the coolest city's I have visited, with so much history, both ancient and recent. We spent the afternoon exploring before having our final night out with the people from our boat. We had met some really great people (mostly Aussies) and while Lol and I called it a night at 3am, the boys carried on until 7am. So with very little sleep we checked out of the boat (in pouring rain) stored our bags and found somewhere to have breakfast and watch the All Blacks play. By the time we emerged the sun was back and we were able to find a park for the boys to lay their weary and hungover heads for a while before heading to the airport.

Our plane was delayed so we didn't fly out until 10pm, meaning it was 1am by the time we got back to the flat, luckily we had Sunday to recover before heading back to work on Monday...well everyone except Lol!