We had a walking tour this morning before boarding the New Star for our journey through the islands off the Dalmatian coast.
Departed split at 1.30pm with lunch at 2pm. About 4pm we stopped off Bol for a swim at the famous Golden Horn Beach before continuing to our over night stop at Stadi Grad. This town is a typical tourist sea side resort with lots of restaurants and bars. As it was a long weekend there were many yachts in port as well as cruise ships.
Sunday 23rd June
Today we left the boat for a 1 hour walking tour before taking a bus to 2 small fishing towns before lunch at a local winery. Lunch was a traditional Croatian peka meal of meat and vegetables baked in an iron pot over coals.
Our boat had to move to the ferry wharf as other boats needed the moorings. When we arrived on board we were told that because of rough seas we wouldn’t be leaving port for Hvar town. Many other boats were in the same situation and moored tethered to us. Stasi Grad was a half hour pleasant walk along the sea shore for a drink and light dinner.
Monday 24th June Hvar town on Hvar
The seas had calmed so we left for Hvar town on the other side of the island of Hvar. We cruised slowly past small inhabited inlets and coves which were beautiful.
We arrived off Hvar at about 11am. For some reason boats can’t moore until 9pm. Most went for a swim with the water warm but a little choppy and very salty. You could tree water with very little movement and effort.
A water taxi came for us at 5pm and dropped us ashore. Nicolette gave us a brief tour.
We wanted to visit the Benedictine Monastery and Museum but it was closed. The Nuns make lace out of agave thread. Further checks during the night and it was still closed. The small church next door was open for a service at 7.30 and the Nuns were in there.
We walked the foreshore and had a drink in one of the many bars after which we explored the town further. The boat was moored by 9pm.
Tuesday 25th June Croatian National Day.
We left Hvar early for the Blue Caves on Bisevo Island. Its extremely popular and we arrived relatively early for our tour. The sunlight reflects through the cave giving it the blue and aqua shades.
After the magnificent cave tour we stopped for another swim before arriving in Vis on Vis Island. There is always a town named after the island. Vis Island was closed by the Yugoslav army when it became a military zone until the late 80’s. The island is one of the furthest Dalmatian islands from the mainland and is fast becoming a tourist destination. We walked up to the fort from which we had magnificent views over the Adriatic to the west and south. Dinner was in a small family owned restaurant off the main tourist route.
Our ship the New Star, Us on boat before entering Blue Cave, A view of Hvar port.
