Korcula, like Hvar and Brac above it are long thin islands running roughly east-west, about 25 miles long, and 3 miles wide, so the route hitherto has been a zig zag one to travel south. After Korcula the islands are smaller and more sparse.
We have done a lot of motoring these last few days as winds have been too light to sail and cover the distances we have set ourselves. We need to make about 25 miles a day. However we have had the opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery close to, and peep into the bays and coves around these Southern Croatian islands. It is all very different to the northern area that we are used to. The island profiles are comparatively mountainous and forested. Korcula’s wood was once famous for spawning the major boat building industry of the realm.
From Korcula town we headed south again to the island of Mljet. The ancient Greek poet Homer writes about Mljet in the Odyssey. Apostle Paul mentions the island on his voyage through the Adriatic and visits the island on his way to Rome. It has a lot of history including roman ruins as well as much natural beauty The north of this island is all a designated National Park and it is not difficult to see why.
Feeling in need of fish for dinner we took the lines on a restaurant jetty in the pretty bay of Polace, just minutes before a random isolated storm hit us. Unfortunately a German charter boat did exactly the same thing before we had tightened our lines and pushed us right off the pontoon. The Germans did not have good English and sadly Nigel and Mo do not speak it at all, so Nigel’s demands for them to use their bow thrusters to take the pressure off was to no avail. Later we learned they did not have a bow thrusters. To Sunsail’s shame, a 40 ft boat with no bow thrusters in Croatia is not a good idea. A few huffs and puffs later and a lot of pulling and winching of ropes soon had us all safely tied.
An hour later the thunder, lightening, rain and wind had passed and we set off to explore. We purchased the compulsory ticket to see the National Park and took the bus 3km north across the island to the beautiful inland lakes and forests. Lots of great walking around here and we spent a great afternoon exploring. Did not make the boat trip across the lake to the monastery this time, maybe next.
From Polace we travelled south again, intending to dip into a bay on the south of Mljet, but as we got into deep water we discovered to our chagrin that our holding tank was not emptying. Either the recently replaced valve had failed, or we had a blockage. Either way the course of action was not a pleasant one. Nigel spent the trip pumping out the holding tank and to cover all options called ahead to Dubrovnik Marina to book a lift out, the worst of all scenarios, to replace the valve.
We sailed into the Bay of Sunj on the south coast of Lopud, only 8 miles shy of Dubrovnik to anchor on a sandy bed for the night. Apart from the fact that it was hot and sunny and we fancied a swim, it did provide the opportunity to test out the valve. Good news was the valve was sound and Nigel then successfully deployed the dinghy pump to dislodge the blockage. All was well, thank goodness. Just before we left this anchorage on 31st May, around lunchtime, there was a cry for help from another German charter boat. We had met them in Korcula town. It transpired they had something around their propeller and none of the seven aboard knew what to do about it. Nigel dived below the boat with his snorkel and mask to find a lot of plastic bag wrapped around the propeller. He rigged a knife on a boat hook and successfully freed the prop.
It was a lovely 8 mile trip into Dubrovnik Marina and we tied up before going to explore our new surroundings. The Marina is upstream in a gorge littered with small villages along the way. All very picturesque.
What a lot of excitement for one day. Nigel was exhausted and slept well . We look forward to meeting up with Tom and Faye tomorrow and having a Day in Dubrovnik.
Deja Vu 