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Published: September 23rd 2019
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Today began with a transfer to Korcula Island for a couple of days. I woke up to a rainy day and to be honest, not being a ‘boaty’ person I wasn’t looking forward to a 2 + hours trip on the water. But the universe was looking after me. I ‘hitched’ a seat on a day trip to Korcula with the organisers of my transfers in Croatia so had a wonderful 3 hour road trip through those huge foreboding Rocky Mountains that seem to hug Croatia wherever you are. We stopped at Ston for a break and wander in the rain- quite wet but not enough to spoil my time there.
The Walls of Ston are a series of defensive stone walls from Pirates, originally more than 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) long, that surrounded and protected the city of Ston in what is now southern Croatia. Their construction was begun in 1358. Today, it is the second-longest preserved fotification system in the world. This wall travels up well into mountains and over the other side. It’s ancient and enticing. A feat of human nature. It also has a salt mine.
It never ceases to amaze me how when on a
tour stop in such a magnificent place all people want to is get to a cafe and have a cup of coffee and miss the experience. The old lime stone buildings soiled and greyed over time, old doors of all descriptions and shutters to shut out all types of weather.
Back on the coach, we wind our way around the coastal road. Beautiful water one side and farming, vineyards or forestry the other. At times we were driving through an open air tunnel of stone. It reminded me of the Great Ocean Road back home with the exception of the orange tiled houses in small hamlets along the way and the huge mountain range. As is the Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia this was breathtaking. The vineyards still had their deep blue grapes hanging from the vines and laden olive trees popped up everywhere there was space. The wine industry in this region is one of the best in Croatia and all family businesses. The hope is they will grow and enhance the Croatian economy. The Croatians and indeed the Europeans use every inch of land they can. This region is very rocky so prudent use of land is
critical.
Our lovely guide Daria was a treat. She so loves Croatia and it showed. She tells the whole bus that beautiful Suzanne Sherry is with us until we get to Korcula and then she will be staying on the island. Croatians are a happy lot and genuinely want to help others.
The huge mountain range guides us all the way as does the largest mountain in Croatia. Daria excites us as we come to the next bend as it’s where we can see our destination- the island of Korcula. Everyone else on the bus is doing the 12 hour day trip to visit the island and then back to Dobrovnik. I am staying a couple of days.
At Kusista, we leave the coach and board a small wooden boat not unlike a fishing boat. It has the lacquered timber inside and out and seats with tables inside. We were only a small group and we filled the boat inside and out. I sat on the seat across the back of the boat with a few others and enjoyed the fun of the seawater spray. The boat was very low in the water.
We arrive at
Korcula and as we did getting on the boat needed to take a ‘mind the gap’ leap onto the dock of the Old Town.
Daria introduces me to my transfer to accommodation and I leave the group. My driver seems to drives for ages up steep hills up in the Gods and we eventually got to Pier 9 which is in fact a resort not a hotel and it is surrounded by those Rocky Mountains with everything you could ask for...sea swimming, adult swim up bar infinity pool and another children’s pool, restaurants, weekly entertainment program, stunning views and water taxis. It has camping cabins and tent sites as well right on the water. Nowhere is too far from water or food. It is in a beautifully treed landscape with pretty gardens that disguise the buildings and the size of it. So it’s a one stop place if you want it to be and I’m sure many of the European guests (especially Germans) and Brits do exactly that. It a holiday destination to sun bake, relax, eat and drink. And yet it’s really quiet. I suspect in the fullness of summer it would be party central- not unlike the
English Holiday resorts but newer. But for me it’s more about the ‘Old Town’ and the history. Tomorrow is all about the Old Town and maybe a swim.
I wandered around the port a bit this afternoon and then early evening back at the resort and down by the water to get a meal. The waiter was so worried he would gluten me he put some things in side bowls for me to add. Lovely fresh tuna salad.
Now I’m watching BBC and the UN Climate Change Summit- Shameful Australia- wasn’t invited because of the use of coal and inaction on climate change.
A great day in this beautiful country!
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Anne doyle
non-member comment
Dubrovnik,penciled,ston,Janine and Kusista
Continue to love your history of Croatia. Sounds like a must do visit.