Split- Sep 27 to Sep 30

Saturday through Wednesday was our time to sit back, be unscheduled, and try to get to know and maybe meld a little bit into Split.  As I write this in the Split airport about to head back to Amsterdam, I think we were pretty successful starting with this swim Saturday morning while we were waiting to check in to our place.  

Yea, my favorite beach photo tends to be of my feet, sorry.  It just seems to capture the moment for me I guess. 

And the restaurants we visited and food and drink we consumed was varied and excellent. And the best was this dinner at Portino.  Angela said it was the best goat cheese salad she’s ever had, and that’s saying a lot!

And our wandering took us to many cafes where cappuccino's were frequently ordered, or in this case, an Irish Coffee.  Very tasty. 

We averaged almost 10 miles of walking each day and our longest day was 11 miles, 7 of which was climbing out Mt. Telegrin in the Marjan forest above.  Walking is how Angela and I like to explore and experience new cities. 

Near the top of Mt. Telegrin with Split in the background.  

In the 15th century a monk built and lived in this cave near the top of the mountain, looking out over the Adriatic.  It’s quite a “stoop” he had! 

And this was the little chapel he prayed in.  I’m surprised it hasn’t been turned into an AirBnB!

The Croatian flag flies high over Marjan and Split.  From our time in Dubrovnik in the south,  to all the islands we visited, biked or hiked on along our way, to our leisurely time in Split, we have thoroughly enjoyed our visit, our experiences and the people we came to know.  We are now ready to head home as we always say, “There is no place like home!”.

Day 7- Pucisco to Split Sep 26

While having breakfast onboard our captain cruised us about an hour north to a little special dock a few miles east of Omis where 3 Sail Croatia boats docked while we rode our last bike ride of the trip.

On our way west to Omis we begin to see the large mountains ahead of us.  

Turning it the northeast our bike ride begins to follow River Cetena into a canyon reminiscent of our own Rocky’s back home.  This beautiful bridge into a mountain tunnel reminds me of the great and amazing things we can build.  

Sayet, Ivan and Barry mug for the camera.  

Parts of Omis are backed right up to near vertical rock walls into the mountain above but this small stone home still has enough light for flowers.  

After a steep climb up the mountains above we return to Omis for a little walk and in our case, a cappuccino before returning to our  boat. 

We have our last lunch onboard as we cruise towards the large city of Split and our final destination. 

In the busy harbor of Split we set a new record (at least for me) of 9 boats tied off side by side to the dock.  Our boat is number 7 which means we have to walk across and through 6 other boats to get to shore.  It will be interesting when people who packed many big bags have to lug them to the dock tomorrow when we start to head our own ways.  

Day 6-Milna to Pucisco Sep 25

We had great weather day for riding with the exception of a few, short showers over the course of the day. We moved W to E across the top of Brac.  We’ll be in Split tomorrow for our last night on the boat. 

The morning routine begins: Coffee, breakfast buffet, morning meeting, find your bike on the dock, plug your battery in that you charged in your room overnight and start following Ivan without crashing or being crashed into as we gradually make a single file line into the country side. 

A short stop to gather the stragglers at Jujisco. You might notice there’s no fencing or barrier on this concrete roadside pad to prevent someone from falling about 8’ off the back. Many times on our rides there is a 1 to 3’ drop off of the side of the road.  It pays to pay attention and be careful when bike riding in Croatia.  

A nice roadside beach this morning but we stopped only for a minute.  Maybe later today we can swim.  

We’ve been riding on the Island of Brac (pronounced brach) the last few days, our last island to explore before we continue our northward travel to the mainland across the narrow sliver of the Adriatic.  

Awwwwww, so cute!

Arriving in Pusisca we enjoy another full lunch (and beer if you like) on the Mila Luca and take a leisurely swim at the adjoining beach.  That’s Angela, Steve and Bev and Peter from Australia.  The water was slightly cool, clear and very refreshing!

After our swim we grabbed a beer in the salon and headed for the stone sculpting school for high school aged kids.  That’s Sukdav comparing these two limestone lions.  

Pucisca was more of a “real” coastal town with much less presence of tourists and the associated trappings likes lots of restaurants.  Somehow as the +30 guest roamed the streets bit by bit, in groups of two or four, 18 of us gathered at this little place called Fontana. There was beer drank, burgers eaten and stories told before we collected back at the boat.  

And apparently another game of Crown Five card playing in the salon ensued, no doubt led by Sandy and Steve!

Day 5-Vis to Stare Grad Sep 24

It was a windy, stormy day to begin with.  Winds up to 30mph, gray skies. 

We left Vis for the city of Hvar after crossing a pretty rough sea for about 2.5 hrs.  However, when we arrived the seas were too rough in the harbor to dock so we backtracked to the west to go north of the island for an eventual birth in Stari Grad.  

Realizing we have more time on our hands we gathered up 8 of us for a hand of Five Crowns.   I was the biggest loser but we all had fun. L to R that’s Barry and Connie from Wickenberg, AZ, Sandy and Steve from Coral Springs, FL,  me and Ang, Glynnis from S.  Africa, and Satyiat from NYC.  

We finally get docked and have a break in the weather for a nice ride from Stari Grad to Jelsi.  It was a very scenic 15 mile ride.  

Sometimes I think the Croatian’s need to buy a vowel. 

Peter and Bev from Australia take a different kind of ride in Jelsi.

Our guide Ivan on the 2000 year old rock wall looks down as our other guide Ilona tells us more about the history and ways of Croatia. 

And another beautiful sunset while Sandy, Steve, Angela and I enjoy pizza and drinks along the harbor promenade.  

Day 4-Vis Sep 23

Today we spent the whole day in Vis. Our ride made a nice loop of the island including the highlands and some coastal roads. 

Where our 30+ bikes live when they’re not being ridden.  The crew sets up “bucket brigade” every day to convey the bikes up and down to the dock. 

Two big climbs today. Yes, I gave in to the E-bike impure spirit and turned my battery on “Eco” mode to climb the two hills.  Now I can’t sleep at night and will need to seek therapy!

One of our stops was to explore this old military hospital cave.  The island of Vis has a strong military history and much less of a tourist vibe. 

We had over an hour in Comiza to wander around the city, shop or eat. 

Then we line up like school children in PE class, waiting for our turn to climb the rope, before we remount our bikes for the return trip.  

The town of Comiza on the opposite side of the island as we climb away from the Adriatic. 

Sandy and I wait patiently with the rest of our group for a guest who chooses not to ride an E-bike and also to ride “comfortably”up the hills.  Grrrrrrr. 

We all ended the day back at Vis and had a nice dinner with our new friends from S. Africa, Gwynis and Lindsay.  

Day 3- Korkula to Vela Luna Sep 22

The morning meeting before our ride. 

After our ride followed by a 3 course lunch, many of us gather like fat seals on the beach to bask and nap under the sun.  

Vela Spila Cave, whose history in its relatively shallow depth can trace mankind’s development back 20,000 years in the one location. Back to the ending of the Ice Age. Humans over that period had left their mark by the tools and remnants they left behind in that one spot. Very cool.   

Vella Luka from the north. 

Sunset after a 4 mile walk about. 

Followed by a view of the sunset with a Negroni and Mai Tai.