Hi family, after a long journey we are back in London. We've just had lunch w/ Alex and Clare, we're currently in a Starbucks using the free wifi to check in to air Canada. Then we're off to the neighboring town of Kingston to look for another bag or small case to check in and then we'll meet Alex and Clare there for dinner.
Tomorrow we have a car picking us up for the airport at noon. And then our flight home is 330pm via Montreal. Should be in Vancouver tmr night.
It's hot and sunny in London, apparently was not like this before. We'll be walking around kingston around the water.
Xxo Helen
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Hello from Bol
i family... Again... Writingto you now fromthe town of Bol, which is on the island of Brac. I don't know how ppl keep writing journals ... This is so time consuming, but i know you all enjoy it and I gess it's good for me to keep a record of it... Plus farhan is making me relax!! We are sitting on the villa's terrace, drinking lemonade, tea and coffee. The weather has been a little big mixed. The day we arrived it looked like a storm was still at korcula, and we were just ahead of it. Clouds were in the sky, but we never got rained on and when we arrived in Bol the sky had cleared up overhead so it was and sunny. We arrived at the villa by 1030am, but had to wait b/c our room want ready. We had arrived to the north of the island at Supetar, where the ferry dock is, and then took a taxi from there to south of the island to Bol. The taxi ride was scay fast, but whatever we got here quick and safely. The villa is amazing, I think a German women owns and runs it. It's all so clean, bathrooms sooo nice and our room faces the sea. The windows have these green shutters, not or sow, they actually work, but remind me of italian sea town architecture. I think Bol might look more like an Italian sea town than the other places we've been to. Has very narrow streets only one car fits and it's hilly, but Bol is quite small. You can walk along one length of the centre for alut 5-10 mins. Along the seaside are random small pebbly beaches, a monetary of sorts and generally this area is just very quiet. The famous part of Bol is this beach area called Zlatni Rat. If you google it, it should look like a s golden horn from up above. It's a strip of beach that has waves pushing st it left and right so it constantly makes this born shape, sometimes curled at the tip left or right.
So our first day on Bol, the day we arrived, we got settled in, got food, farhan took a nap, i took a short walk, and then we went walking looking for a place we could put our towels down and go for a swim. We decided to save Zlatni rat for another day b/c we knew it was already so busy from ppl being ferried over from neighboring islands like Hvar and korcula. We saw ppl walking endlessly towards the beach and in the distant on the water you can see all these tourist boats that look like pirate boats bringing ppl over. We eventually found a small pebbly beach beyond the monestary. It was busy, but we could still out our towels down. We played there for about an hour before going back to the villa to change and go for dinner. Nothing exciting, had some food, and then bed time.
Today, we woke up, the villa provides breakfast. Just something simple like fresh fruit, coffee, tea, juice, and some type of eggs combo. It's nice b/c you sit on the terrace outside. Apparently it had rained overnight b/c where we hang our beach tiles outside, had been moved under some shade. We were thinking of going to Hvar on this exclusion boat. But you can see the clouds moving and apparently in the distance you can see rain or some moisture coming Down. Thought maybe a boat ride may not be so goodie case we couldn't get back on the boat back to Bol! Luckily, the weather looked a little clear,so we decided to go to the Zlatni rat beach. It's a 30 min walk, any to get to b/c the ground was paved (other times we walk to places in Croatia it's been a dirt path) oh ya the architecture here is built on limestone or shale, so buildins are white and grounds are limestone like. We got there early, around 10am, before the other tourist boats arrived w/ ppl from other islands. It was ssooooooooo niceeeee!!! The view is pretty cool from up a one, b/c you see it from above first before the ground slopes down towars the beach. The "sand" is small pebbly rocks, formed by the water moving over it. Oh ya side note, on the beach, you can hear the water rush over the pebbles, as it recedes and washes over the shore, it ,ales this high pitch sound, very interesting. Something I'll remember about this coastline. So when we got to the beach, it's quite large and there are beach chairs and umbrellas set up left and right of this pointy shape horn. Of course have to pay for chairs and u,Bella, which we did, but we were stupid, b/c it ended up cloudy and windy and w didn't even need umbrella although the chairs were nice b/c the ground is all pebbly. We took some photos, put down our towels and then got into the water. B/c the sun was out when we first got there, the water felt so warm and calm... Not a Lot of ppl were there yet. I remember floating backward, on my back in the water feeling very calm and peaceful...such a great sensation, just floating. We swam around, farhan went looking for dish, he has goggles and oh ya tons of small fish here, while I floated around. Eventually more ppl arrived, the weather started changing, the sky clouded over and eventually we left. Good thing we did b/c it started spitting rain nd eventually full on rain while we walked back into the main centre. On our walk we had passed a resort hotel, which I guess is where a lot of ppl are staying b/c we noticed at night a lot of ppl around, it during the day this place is really calm... Anyway, on this walk also saw a Tennis centre!!!! It had a lot of clay courts, I went into the players office to inquire about lessons. Unfortunately I did not. Ring my shoes /c I thought oh I won't play and shoes take up so much room... Ya I am wrong, pre vacation thinking so different than on vacation thinking!! Farhan says next time he'll just bring my stuff regardless of what I say haha so sweet. Newsy they don't do shoe rentals only racquet so no playing tennis on red clay courts for me. It's ok, tomorrow will be all Day on the water, as it's out last full day here. We saw bicycle water boats that have built In mini slides on These things so we might paddle out into the water and play on that. After our morning on beach we just took it easy, and relaxed on the terrace, and the beach side lounge bars.
Ok I go now. Tomorrow is our last day. Will be all about playing in the water!!!
Haha I can hear the cats meow....
Love you all,
Helen
So our first day on Bol, the day we arrived, we got settled in, got food, farhan took a nap, i took a short walk, and then we went walking looking for a place we could put our towels down and go for a swim. We decided to save Zlatni rat for another day b/c we knew it was already so busy from ppl being ferried over from neighboring islands like Hvar and korcula. We saw ppl walking endlessly towards the beach and in the distant on the water you can see all these tourist boats that look like pirate boats bringing ppl over. We eventually found a small pebbly beach beyond the monestary. It was busy, but we could still out our towels down. We played there for about an hour before going back to the villa to change and go for dinner. Nothing exciting, had some food, and then bed time.
Today, we woke up, the villa provides breakfast. Just something simple like fresh fruit, coffee, tea, juice, and some type of eggs combo. It's nice b/c you sit on the terrace outside. Apparently it had rained overnight b/c where we hang our beach tiles outside, had been moved under some shade. We were thinking of going to Hvar on this exclusion boat. But you can see the clouds moving and apparently in the distance you can see rain or some moisture coming Down. Thought maybe a boat ride may not be so goodie case we couldn't get back on the boat back to Bol! Luckily, the weather looked a little clear,so we decided to go to the Zlatni rat beach. It's a 30 min walk, any to get to b/c the ground was paved (other times we walk to places in Croatia it's been a dirt path) oh ya the architecture here is built on limestone or shale, so buildins are white and grounds are limestone like. We got there early, around 10am, before the other tourist boats arrived w/ ppl from other islands. It was ssooooooooo niceeeee!!! The view is pretty cool from up a one, b/c you see it from above first before the ground slopes down towars the beach. The "sand" is small pebbly rocks, formed by the water moving over it. Oh ya side note, on the beach, you can hear the water rush over the pebbles, as it recedes and washes over the shore, it ,ales this high pitch sound, very interesting. Something I'll remember about this coastline. So when we got to the beach, it's quite large and there are beach chairs and umbrellas set up left and right of this pointy shape horn. Of course have to pay for chairs and u,Bella, which we did, but we were stupid, b/c it ended up cloudy and windy and w didn't even need umbrella although the chairs were nice b/c the ground is all pebbly. We took some photos, put down our towels and then got into the water. B/c the sun was out when we first got there, the water felt so warm and calm... Not a Lot of ppl were there yet. I remember floating backward, on my back in the water feeling very calm and peaceful...such a great sensation, just floating. We swam around, farhan went looking for dish, he has goggles and oh ya tons of small fish here, while I floated around. Eventually more ppl arrived, the weather started changing, the sky clouded over and eventually we left. Good thing we did b/c it started spitting rain nd eventually full on rain while we walked back into the main centre. On our walk we had passed a resort hotel, which I guess is where a lot of ppl are staying b/c we noticed at night a lot of ppl around, it during the day this place is really calm... Anyway, on this walk also saw a Tennis centre!!!! It had a lot of clay courts, I went into the players office to inquire about lessons. Unfortunately I did not. Ring my shoes /c I thought oh I won't play and shoes take up so much room... Ya I am wrong, pre vacation thinking so different than on vacation thinking!! Farhan says next time he'll just bring my stuff regardless of what I say haha so sweet. Newsy they don't do shoe rentals only racquet so no playing tennis on red clay courts for me. It's ok, tomorrow will be all Day on the water, as it's out last full day here. We saw bicycle water boats that have built In mini slides on These things so we might paddle out into the water and play on that. After our morning on beach we just took it easy, and relaxed on the terrace, and the beach side lounge bars.
Ok I go now. Tomorrow is our last day. Will be all about playing in the water!!!
Haha I can hear the cats meow....
Love you all,
Helen
Goodbye from Korcula pt 2
Hi family,
I'm writing this to you on our 2nd to last day in Bol, but it'll be about our last day on korcula island. on this day, we went to another prt of the Korcula island called Lumbarda, just south of where we were staying which is old town korcula. We were going to rent and ride a bicycle there,about 6km, but then we got lazy, so then we were going to take the local bus, but we got lazy, ad then we found a water taxi, which was only 2 bucks more than bus so we decided to take water taxi, same idea as the aqua bus for Granville island or star ferry on hong kong, but it's driven by an old sea man and it fits only bout 20 ppl. There are a lot of little islands on around korcula, so it was nice to see the landscape. The weather was not so sunny, and not as hot as the previous day when we were just dying from the heat. I think was a storm coming for the night. Lumbarda was originally founded or named by Venetians who are from Italy, so when they discovered the land they brought wine grapes with the, and so Lumbarda has vineyards in a lot of the area. After we walked up 200m of upward stairs, omg so humid and difficult, we came upon the view of vineyards!!! Different than Germany's vineyards, I think they were not as high and had red and white grapes alternating and, more wide space. We wanted to go to Lumbarda to do wine tasting so we eventually kept walking along this car road and found a small tourist info office who gave us directions to a local vineyard that does it. After 30 mins of walking, not difficult walking, but it was on the same road as cars as they don't have side walks, you just walk along the coast and beside cars, we found the street of the winery. There were lots of fruits and vegetables growing. I saw... Eggplant! Tomatoes, what I think re persimmons but I'm not sure. It I know I've seen them at T&T before, white peppers, and grapes. The drive or neighborhood street that lead to this winery was very very quiet, like nobody around, not sure if ppl lived in those stone houses or what, but eventually we found a sign to this winery, Bire. We looked around, nobody on sight, and eventually found a door that said "open." so we walked in and realized it was a dark chamber with benches, a bar and it was air conditioned!!! We saw a German couple drinking and chatting w/ the owner and the owner's son led us to the bar and that's where we did a wine tasting. The grapes we originally saw when we walked over those steps is their grape vineyard! And where we were having the wine tasting is their production office. They have 2 local wines, white called GRK, and a red I forgot the name. They were both very tasty,good quality wines. We eventually sat down on the long tales to have a full glass of red wine. We made sure to hydrate w/ water b/c we were so hot from walking outside. Apparently the next day, this winery was going to start harvesting all their grapes! The guy was saying they start at 5am and end around 11am b/c it gets so hot and they have to start the production right away b/c once the grapes are plucked they only have x time to get the best out of the grapes. They product about 10k bottles each season, and only for the local use and for korcula island. We were thinking of buying a bottle, but it would be a pain to pack it and we would still have to go thru the split to Gatwick airport md the Heathrow to Vancouver airport. I didn't want to deal w/ any potential security and customs issues. Ppl can be douchebags about it. After the German couple left it was just me and farhan and after we left it looked like they had closed up shop. Good thing w got there when we did or maybe it wouldn't have been open which would've sucked b/c that's why we wanted to go there. It was very very quiet there, I think their tourist season has ended or the big boats don't bother visiting this area. Actually old town korcula was a little quiet too, just depends which ferry and cruise boats are there. We returned to korcula town via bus b/c we didn't feel like waiting for the taxi boat guy, and when we got. Ack we went for a swim in the sea area right outside our flat. After that we went to buy our tix to get to Brac island via Split. Tix office only open for 1 hr each day. They work on island time here.... There ws a storm or run predicted so the ferry was docked on a diff side than usual, it was ok, we could still walk to it from the flat. Otherwise a pretty uneventual day for us, we've definitely slowed down on the activities and are just happy to get a swim in, in the sea. Like I said, we had to wake up at 430am, to catch the 6am ferry. Took us quicker than expected to walk our heavy suitcases to the boat, b/c we got there by 515 and the captain wouldn't let us on yet. Tis ferry boat is fast, faster than the big ferry boat that went from Dubrovnik to Korcula. This one is called a catamaran, but not the catamaran you're thinking of, it's like a speed. It goes so fast, took 3 hrs to get to split, had stopped at Hvar island first. We were thinking of going to Hvar island from Korcula on that full day at Korcula, which meant catching th 6am catamaran, but after our early morning journey to get to Korcula, thought no way, too tired which is why we went to Lumbarda instead.plus to do 2 6am ferry departures In a row, that is brutal. Oh well. You see one island you see them all...? At least that's what I'm telling myself haha. Even if we did go to Hvar, we would've gotten there by 730am and nothing's open! And the 6am ferry to Hvar from korcula was the ONLY time option. Ok that's it from Korcula. It was a beautiful is and, water, again, awesome, and glad we saw it. Love you, Helen |
Good Morning from Bol, Brac, Croatia
But it feels more like good afternoon b/c we've been awake since 4am!!!! And now it's 11am. We caught our 6am ferry out of Korcula and it took 3 hrs to sail to Split which is a main hub for all departure points. So even though geographically Brac island is closets Korcula, we have to sail pass it To go to Split and from Split by another ferry tix to get to Brac island which only took 50 mins. But we had a 20 min window from the time the ferry arrived in Split to the time the Brac ferry departed. So we Made sure we were right at the front to get off and then we hustled down the dock to the tiny ferry office and then hustle to another dock to find the Brac ferry. Very amazing race style b/c if we missed that 9am ferry to Brac we would've had to wait until 11am.
The taxi ride from the Brac ferry terminal took about 30-40 mins, maybe quicker b/c the driver was BOLTING down the windy roads. The ferry terminal is in stueptar and Bol is across the island and the roads that cut across the island are hilly and next to the coast. I don't think Farhan felt that comfortable w/ the speed haha I was just thinking ok well this young man seems to feel very confident about knowing the road hazards haha.
Right now we're sitting on the terrace of this villa while we wait for our rooms to be ready. We're staying at a hotel which is a nice change from the rented apartments. We have someone catering to us! And someone to help being up the luggage. Attached is a photo of me sitting at a table drinking fresh lemonade! How nice.
We got lucky w/ the weather b/c overnight from Korcula you can see the clouds were looking stormy and when we arrives on Brac, it looked cloudy, but here in Bol on this villa it's sunny. The villa also has some plump cats! Well fed and a little lazy too. I'll send photos.
Xoxo Helen
The taxi ride from the Brac ferry terminal took about 30-40 mins, maybe quicker b/c the driver was BOLTING down the windy roads. The ferry terminal is in stueptar and Bol is across the island and the roads that cut across the island are hilly and next to the coast. I don't think Farhan felt that comfortable w/ the speed haha I was just thinking ok well this young man seems to feel very confident about knowing the road hazards haha.
Right now we're sitting on the terrace of this villa while we wait for our rooms to be ready. We're staying at a hotel which is a nice change from the rented apartments. We have someone catering to us! And someone to help being up the luggage. Attached is a photo of me sitting at a table drinking fresh lemonade! How nice.
We got lucky w/ the weather b/c overnight from Korcula you can see the clouds were looking stormy and when we arrives on Brac, it looked cloudy, but here in Bol on this villa it's sunny. The villa also has some plump cats! Well fed and a little lazy too. I'll send photos.
Xoxo Helen
Goodbye from Korcula
Hi family, so tonight is our last night in Korcula. We've been here a day and a half. We sailed here from dubrovik on a larger size ferry. It took 4 hrs. It felt like a long time b/c there's only so much one can do to entertain themselves. The ferry has lots of open spaces outside and inside. We sat inside in a booth In a sitting room. It was air conditioned which was. I've, but soon felt like a refrigerator. The outside was also nice b/c you feel the sea breeze and it's Rey warm so if you can sit in the shady side of the boat it's excellent. I would side outside a few times enjoying the sea air, it was so lovely, weather so warm and you get to see the rocky shoreline of Croatia and some islands in the distant. There's also th back of the boat, which is a deck outin the open. Some ppl sat there and sunbathed or they laid down on their towels, like a cruise ship environment. A lot of ppl were sleeping on the benches or just on the outside ground, like full on body laid out, had to watch where you're stepping do you don't step on someone!! Ppl were sleeping b/c it was an early ferry, about 830am, although our ferry tomorrow to leave korcula is at 6am, so THAT'S early. The ferry also had a canteen and bar so you could get drinks and coffee. The ferry was a smooth and steady. When we got close to korcula, the view was again, breathtaking. Anywhere you go, along the Dalmatian coast, the view is breathtaking, but it's never boring to see it over and over again. We saw the old town of korcula first, so you see fat fortress turrets and the walls and the orangey/salmon clay tile roofs, the aqua gradient waters, so clear, like paradise. Oh ya when you get on the ferry, you have to climb up these narrow metal stairs, all the way near the top. Not like a cruise ship where the gangway is lowered. So I had to carry my heavy suitcase up these narrow stairs and there were ppl right behind me coming up the stairs. There were ferrymen to help carry cases, but all 3 were busy helping others by the time I got to the stairs. So to get off the ferry, again had to walk down the metal narrow stairs with my case and had to be careful I wouldn't fall forward down! Hah. Waiti g at the ferry terminal are all these ppl, like arrivals area at an airport, ready to escortppl to their rented apartments. We were lucky, we found our lady, well she found me, b/c she said she was looking out for my long black hair haha. We were a little apprehensive ahead of time, b/c I didn't know what she looked like and during correspondence she was saying it'll be fine, I'll find you, don't worry etc. I don't like it when strangers tell me not to worry! Although,I have found here security is pretty laxed, it's like the "old days" before ppl wanted to break into places and be bad!! Ppl here are trusting... I am not use to that being from our "big city." so 'marina, lady who rented her apartment to us, greeted us and away we went I to her car. She drove about 2 mins and then we were at her place, it's down the road from the ferry terminal and away from old town, but her flat is on the ground floor, in front of the door is the small road and In front of that is THE SEA!!! It's like 10 ft away from us, and we can jump in whenever we want!! Which we have!! Less sea urchins this time, at least we can walk out into the water and not have to worry they are b/c they were too deep for me to stand on them. So after we got settled in, we walked the 5 mins into old town and looked for food. I had black squid ink risotto and squid or octopus salad. So yummy! After that we walked around to digest and then went back to the apartment tqo change to get into the water. Oh it was sooooooo hot when we walked around. Around 35c plus humidity. I was sweating so much that by the time I got into the water the cold temperature didn't bother me, so refreshing. Nothing much after this, we swam, relaxed on the apartment's patio, farhan took a nap and then we went to old town for dinner and walked around more! I forgot that the stones absorb all the heat from the day so even at night it was hot, veryyyy humid and muggy, everywhere I walked I was sweating eem st night and korcula's old town is made up of very tall stone walls and narrow alleyways. It reminds me of the skeleton of a cuttlefish. Round, a spine down the middle, and a bunch of lones perpendicular to the"spine" and the outer ring is circular so you can't get lost really.
Ok I have to end this here, we have to wake up at430am to get to our boat that will take us to our next destination, Brac Island, but we have to go from Korcula to Split first, and from Split purchase another tix to Brac and then take a taxi to our hotel in the town called Bol. Our boat leaves korcula at 6, ferry dock not far away at all, but w/ heavy suitcases and luggage it will take us double the time if not longer. Ok I have to sleep now. Ihae another day of korcula to tell you, will do that later.
Love you all,
Helen
Ok I have to end this here, we have to wake up at430am to get to our boat that will take us to our next destination, Brac Island, but we have to go from Korcula to Split first, and from Split purchase another tix to Brac and then take a taxi to our hotel in the town called Bol. Our boat leaves korcula at 6, ferry dock not far away at all, but w/ heavy suitcases and luggage it will take us double the time if not longer. Ok I have to sleep now. Ihae another day of korcula to tell you, will do that later.
Love you all,
Helen
Goodbye from Dubvornik pt 2
Hi family,
Ok so I'll continue where I had left off which was our last full day in Dubrovnik on an island called kolocep. Btw we arrived at our next main island today, korcula. We are here 2 nights. Tis is where I'm emailing you at the moment.
Kolocep is another island about 30 min ferry ride from Dubrovnik. It sails from the main port where all the cruise ships dock at so it's opposite direction of old town. It's a beautiful island. Natural, lots of trees and p
Ants and dotted along the hillside are ppl's permanent or vacation homes. Ppl who live here sell their harvested jams, oils etc. simple island life. Actually any island we've seen, as soon as you get to the coastline it looks incredible b/v the water looks sooooo clear, aqua and sunlight simmering thru the water. You can see Dow. To the rocks, the ground of the sea and lots of small fish are around. Kolocep is "famous" for a small sandy beach that they have, but it was pretty busy w/ kids and families and it's not very big do we decided to take this trail that lead to a "swimming icon" but little did we know, this trail was going uphill!! And it was very not, I can't even tell you how hot, maybe 30+. The road we walked on ...
Oh wait forgot to tell you an interesting observation, you know how I said that the ferry we took was from the main port? Well I think it's b/c there are a lot of goods that need to be transported to the island. I saw lots of beverages, suitcases, cement mix and clay roof tiles! And when they unloaded the ship/ferry, there were young boys riding these wagon like cars that's motorized and it pulls a wagon behind them, so ppl were loading things onto these diff wagons and you'd see them be driven off to various places to deliver the goods like restaurants, homes etc. very interesting...
Ok so the road we walked on lead up to ppl's houses and it's very quiet. Once in awhile there would be someo e driving that wagon delivery car up the road. Looks like a lot of ppl are building vacation homes. It was HOOOTTT and when we were walking we had to double back and retrace our steps. Finally found this elusive swimming icon location thru some unsaved path and into a rocky clearing....ok so swimming icon says you can swim, doesn't mean it's a beach or even a place you can really stretch out on rocks to sunbathe. It's shallow enough to walk into the water and swim out, but that's it. We didn't stay there long, just went into the water to cool off. Where we put down our towels I saw ants and wanted to leave. Lots of llittle bugs and creatures in Croatia... No pesticides sprayed into the air and forests so that's why I say everything is so "natural." So then we walked back down the hill to try to find more of a common swim area, we were trying to find what we had the day before in Lokrum, but this island's geography was a bit different. We ended up walking back down to the dock where the ferry left us, and along the water. We passed by homes that didn't look like anybody was there or maybe the window shutters were closed b/c it was so hot! Eventually we found a secluded spot upon some rough rocks and pebbly ground. The rocks here are perforated. Meaning there are a lot of little holes in them. The water in kolocep has A LOT of sea urchins!! S we had to find a place where we could at least walk into the water without running into a sea urchin. It was like a little colony of sea urchins, big and small ones. Cool to see, but not good for getting I to the water. Eventually we found a clearing where we could at least walk out and swim a little. Farhan had bought goggles so he did a little sea urchin scout mission before I would keep swimming out. I ended up floating or standing around an area that didn't have any, but I didn't dare venture out further b/c I like to stand if treading water gets too tiring and I'm worried where I stand out too far or even sink down a little I might run into sea urchins. They say sea urchins are good b/c that means they only exist i. The clearest of waters. I had sent you some photos yesterday of some of them that's had taken on my hone camera. Could you make out the black circley things? Anyway we were there for a few hours. There were quite a few ppl who have their own boats or Yachts that theyve moored into the water so a lot of ppl take the attached dinghy and race round the water. When Farhan and I were waiting for our return ferry by the outdoor cafe and bar I saw m older couple get into their dinghy and sail off after they had finished their drinks. What a life indeed! When we got back into Dubrovnik we went into old town to look for that cafe that is carved out of the walls, where ppl can also go rock jumping into the water. We thought it would be hard, like hidden and amazing race hard, it it turns out they have some very clear signs so it's not THAT hard to find. When we got there we were able to get a tale. Imagine... Rock cliffs that extend out of a fortress wall, facing the sea, and small little round tables set up w/ chairs and everybody has some type of beverage at their table. You can only drink there no food. You're literally just facing the sea and if you're lucky to sit at a table at the "front row" ( there were 2 on each "ledge") then your feet would rest on the security bars and below you is a straight cliff. It was so cool and relaxing. We eventually were able to move from the back row tables to the front so we got to enjoy that view a little bit before we had to leave to find dinner. There were all sorts of ppl there, from students to young and old couples, to LV purse wearing yacht ladies, to ppl from around the world. It was a nice experience and the drinks weren't overly expensive. We eventually found a restaurant for dinner. We had mussels, that were just ok, so small and not the best tasting and then we had a shared seafood platter, that looked amazing, but the lobster was over cooked, tough and chewy, too bad b/c it was a large piece and pretty. Also only 2 scampis. It also had 2 medium size pieces of fish, more mussels and some squid/octopus. I find their octopus or squid here is Very yummy!! Their speciality in Croatia is squid salad, it's cold, lemony and yummy. I will miss this when I get home. After our just ok dinner, we went to find ice cream. It's only $2!! I think it's gelato, but I can't tell. I said good bye to dubrovik that night and then we had to go back home to pack b/c we had a 830am ferry to korcula, which is where I am now.
Ok farhan woke up for his nap, we are going for dinner now. Will tell you about korcula later, btw we have THE SEA as our front yard!! It is 10 ft away from our doorstep so we have already jumped into the water and swam around.
Love you all,
Helen
Ok so I'll continue where I had left off which was our last full day in Dubrovnik on an island called kolocep. Btw we arrived at our next main island today, korcula. We are here 2 nights. Tis is where I'm emailing you at the moment.
Kolocep is another island about 30 min ferry ride from Dubrovnik. It sails from the main port where all the cruise ships dock at so it's opposite direction of old town. It's a beautiful island. Natural, lots of trees and p
Ants and dotted along the hillside are ppl's permanent or vacation homes. Ppl who live here sell their harvested jams, oils etc. simple island life. Actually any island we've seen, as soon as you get to the coastline it looks incredible b/v the water looks sooooo clear, aqua and sunlight simmering thru the water. You can see Dow. To the rocks, the ground of the sea and lots of small fish are around. Kolocep is "famous" for a small sandy beach that they have, but it was pretty busy w/ kids and families and it's not very big do we decided to take this trail that lead to a "swimming icon" but little did we know, this trail was going uphill!! And it was very not, I can't even tell you how hot, maybe 30+. The road we walked on ...
Oh wait forgot to tell you an interesting observation, you know how I said that the ferry we took was from the main port? Well I think it's b/c there are a lot of goods that need to be transported to the island. I saw lots of beverages, suitcases, cement mix and clay roof tiles! And when they unloaded the ship/ferry, there were young boys riding these wagon like cars that's motorized and it pulls a wagon behind them, so ppl were loading things onto these diff wagons and you'd see them be driven off to various places to deliver the goods like restaurants, homes etc. very interesting...
Ok so the road we walked on lead up to ppl's houses and it's very quiet. Once in awhile there would be someo e driving that wagon delivery car up the road. Looks like a lot of ppl are building vacation homes. It was HOOOTTT and when we were walking we had to double back and retrace our steps. Finally found this elusive swimming icon location thru some unsaved path and into a rocky clearing....ok so swimming icon says you can swim, doesn't mean it's a beach or even a place you can really stretch out on rocks to sunbathe. It's shallow enough to walk into the water and swim out, but that's it. We didn't stay there long, just went into the water to cool off. Where we put down our towels I saw ants and wanted to leave. Lots of llittle bugs and creatures in Croatia... No pesticides sprayed into the air and forests so that's why I say everything is so "natural." So then we walked back down the hill to try to find more of a common swim area, we were trying to find what we had the day before in Lokrum, but this island's geography was a bit different. We ended up walking back down to the dock where the ferry left us, and along the water. We passed by homes that didn't look like anybody was there or maybe the window shutters were closed b/c it was so hot! Eventually we found a secluded spot upon some rough rocks and pebbly ground. The rocks here are perforated. Meaning there are a lot of little holes in them. The water in kolocep has A LOT of sea urchins!! S we had to find a place where we could at least walk into the water without running into a sea urchin. It was like a little colony of sea urchins, big and small ones. Cool to see, but not good for getting I to the water. Eventually we found a clearing where we could at least walk out and swim a little. Farhan had bought goggles so he did a little sea urchin scout mission before I would keep swimming out. I ended up floating or standing around an area that didn't have any, but I didn't dare venture out further b/c I like to stand if treading water gets too tiring and I'm worried where I stand out too far or even sink down a little I might run into sea urchins. They say sea urchins are good b/c that means they only exist i. The clearest of waters. I had sent you some photos yesterday of some of them that's had taken on my hone camera. Could you make out the black circley things? Anyway we were there for a few hours. There were quite a few ppl who have their own boats or Yachts that theyve moored into the water so a lot of ppl take the attached dinghy and race round the water. When Farhan and I were waiting for our return ferry by the outdoor cafe and bar I saw m older couple get into their dinghy and sail off after they had finished their drinks. What a life indeed! When we got back into Dubrovnik we went into old town to look for that cafe that is carved out of the walls, where ppl can also go rock jumping into the water. We thought it would be hard, like hidden and amazing race hard, it it turns out they have some very clear signs so it's not THAT hard to find. When we got there we were able to get a tale. Imagine... Rock cliffs that extend out of a fortress wall, facing the sea, and small little round tables set up w/ chairs and everybody has some type of beverage at their table. You can only drink there no food. You're literally just facing the sea and if you're lucky to sit at a table at the "front row" ( there were 2 on each "ledge") then your feet would rest on the security bars and below you is a straight cliff. It was so cool and relaxing. We eventually were able to move from the back row tables to the front so we got to enjoy that view a little bit before we had to leave to find dinner. There were all sorts of ppl there, from students to young and old couples, to LV purse wearing yacht ladies, to ppl from around the world. It was a nice experience and the drinks weren't overly expensive. We eventually found a restaurant for dinner. We had mussels, that were just ok, so small and not the best tasting and then we had a shared seafood platter, that looked amazing, but the lobster was over cooked, tough and chewy, too bad b/c it was a large piece and pretty. Also only 2 scampis. It also had 2 medium size pieces of fish, more mussels and some squid/octopus. I find their octopus or squid here is Very yummy!! Their speciality in Croatia is squid salad, it's cold, lemony and yummy. I will miss this when I get home. After our just ok dinner, we went to find ice cream. It's only $2!! I think it's gelato, but I can't tell. I said good bye to dubrovik that night and then we had to go back home to pack b/c we had a 830am ferry to korcula, which is where I am now.
Ok farhan woke up for his nap, we are going for dinner now. Will tell you about korcula later, btw we have THE SEA as our front yard!! It is 10 ft away from our doorstep so we have already jumped into the water and swam around.
Love you all,
Helen
Goodbye from Dubvornik
Hello family,
It's our last night in Dubrovnik ad we are all packed and ready for our next adventure in the island of Korcula, Croatia. Yesterday and today we did the same activities. We visited some small islands near Dubrovnik, swam jn the Adriatic sea, sun bathe in the rocks and walked around the islands. And then for dinner we went into old town Dubrovnik and walked around after dinner. Yesterday we visited the island, Lokrum. It's a 15 min ferry rode away. Very easy to get to and you can see it from any water point out of old town Dubrovnik. The ferries are shuttled by guys who own a boat. The pier is full of ppl on high tables trying to get you to buy their expedition or boat tour. There are tours to other islands and sea adventures like sea kayaking which I don't think I'd ever do b/c we've seen kayakers out into the sea around dinner time and it doesn't look so easy or fun. Anyway, the tix cost to Lokrum was 100 kuna for 2 of us and it includes the return. So about 20 for each of us, exchange rate about 5.4. Lokrum is pretty wild, not a lot of paved roads; just some paths that you can take around the island to walk around. The geographical levels range from sea level to higher up cliffs. Lots of trees and there's a monestary somewhere. Oh and a small sandwich and drink bar where ppl can sit outside in a patio area sipping drinks. Best part, there are PEACOCKS!! The island is protected so ppl are not allowed to touch the peacocks it keep them as pets! I saw SOOOO many. Well as many as I'll ever see in my life. There were mummy peacocks and their kids. And boy peacocks who are very colorful and pretty! After we got off the ferry we immediately walked along the path that's closest to the water b/c we saw there were already ppl who were sun bathing or swimming in the water. The beach isn't a sandy beach. In fact it's more like a rocky edge line that happens to have large flat rocks large enough that you can lay down a towel. Fortunately there were stair rails attached to the side so you could climb down into the water, otherwise you have to be careful, stepping down onto the rocks which can be slippery b/c of the moss and stuff growing on it. It's all very natural, no garbage floating around, no man made anything. I was scared at first. Of the water b/c I could see the bottom and see the rocks on the bottom and the coral and moss and scared I'd kill something. Also wasn't sure I'd there we're sea urchins. And there was a gentle wave.... Definitely not like going swimming In a swimming pool!!! Farhan had to coddle me in and eventually I got use to the water and the floating sensation. By the way I was acting you'd think I didn't know how to swim or something, I was making so much noise and paddling around like a dog until I realized there was nothing to be scared of. We alternated sun bathing and swimming throughout the day. At one point we went walking around looking for this "dead sea" pool that sounded cool, but it was just am enclosed pool of salt water and a lot of kids and families were there so we decided to go back to our rugged little rocky spot. We saw some boats and yachts that were docked. Ppl drive them into the bay and they just jump off their boats and into the water to play. We also saw a nudist beach, but we didn't stay there. Lots of older ppl there too, swimming or sun bathing. The water is crystal clear and b/c it's the sea it's very salty too, but it feels very refreshing too. Oh ya, despite how hot it is, the water is always cool almost cold. No matter how hot and sweaty I am, as soon as I get I to the water I instantly cool off and forget about the heat. we saw an old man carry a fish net and throw it into the water, near our rock spot, and he came up w/ a bunch of fish!! Like medium size fish! It I didn't see any when swimming. So we were on Lokrum until 3, went back to Dubrovnik and got ready for dinner. We ate in old town at this restaurant, called lady pi pi, that we read about on trip advisor. We had to wak up 150 steps b/c it's a rooftop terrace, the food and view was worth it. Unbelievable view. We shared squid salad, cuttlefish risotto which is squid ink risotto so it's black, and then I had tuna steak while farhan had Sea bass.. Food wasn't cheap, but wasn't over priced and it was REALLLY GOOD. I don't even like to eat lots of fish and I thought it was yummy. The portions were also very big, my tunas steaks were big and there were 2 of them. This restaurant also has an outdoor charcoal grill so it grills all the meat...so delicious. We ate so much we didnt even have room for dessert, ice cream! Ok I'm getting very tired and I still have to tell you about today, where we went to am island called kolocep. I'll leave that for later, have to sleep and wake up early for ferry. Lasting thoughts: ppl here are very nice, there are tons of Italian tourists, food and taxis and ferry trips take up the most $$, it always seems hotter at night, WATCH OUT FOR SEA URCHINS!!! Im very happy I have my water shoes, I'm Glad farhan is more logical when I am impatient and just wanna gogogo, and dubrovik in general is very $, our next place should be cheaper. Not sure about Internet situation on korcula. Will write when I can b/c I still have to write about today. Love you all, Helen Sent from my iPhone |
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