Sail Croatia - 23-30 May

Days 18 - 25
Well I've just left the boat and heading to Dubrovnik after a great week sailing on board Magellan with the Sail Croatia company.

I'm feeling a little sad to say goodbye as both the crew and people on board quickly became like a new family and it's always hard to say goodbye!

Our boat ended with 22 people on board which is half of capacity, and all the solo travelers got their own room making it very comfortable!

Highlights regarding the boat for me were our bar man Arnando who was always full of energy and good humour
The food and that they took such great efforts with to ensure our dietary requirements were catered for
Our sexy sailors! In fact all the crew were quite attractive people!

Unfortunately the weather started off poor but thankfully improved about half way. We visited the ports of Omis, Makarska, Korcula, Dubrovnik, Mljet, Hvar, Stari Grad before returning to Split.

Day 1 - Split to Omis was a quick photo stop, Makarska was an evening stop where slowly I got to know a couple of other solo passengers realizing we all love to take our 'photo shoots'!

Day 2 - Stopping prior to 'mini Dubrovnik' Korcula for a swim stop then there overnight where we did a buggy tour around the island, then had cocktails on top of the turret of an old fort and they pull the drinks up from the bar with a pulley that runs along the outside of the building! That evening we did dinner and tour around a local mans neighbourhood - highlights of this include super strong grappa as a welcome drink, seeing what is practically a ghost town due to people moving overseas for a better life and abandoning their homes, and the homemade pasta!

Day 3 - Overnight in Dubrovnik, the beautiful red tile roofed town where we walked the walls of the fort, did a 'Game of Thrones' tour and rode the cable car to the highest peak!

Day 4 - The weather finally improved and was warm and sunny! We stayed overnight in Mljet and during the day hired push bikes and road around the emerald watered national park.

Day 5 - Party island Hvar! We climbed up to the fort for views of the town. Afternoon tea at delicious Nonocito. Visited the Hula Bar for a pre sunset drink only to find it filled with crazy Swiss people enjoying the post school break up partying! Dinner out with our usual lunch group then onto Nautica then Pink Champagne for (a few too many!) drinks!

Day 6 - Hungover! The other side of Hvar - the port of Stari Grad where I had some 'hair of the dog' - visiting a local winery for tasting. Captains dinner.

Day 7 - Swim stop then back to Split. Exploring the city again now the sun was out. Final dinner out at Chops.

Day 8 - Sad goodbyes & 8am bus to Dubrovnik with amazing coast views!

Evanka was our lovely rep - so sweet, friendly and genuine.

We had 2 large groups on our boat which made for interesting dynamics. One group French / Nz mix who'd met when some of them had studied in NZ. Second group Aussie / kiwis with most now living in London.

Then there were us 6 leftovers! Originally 8 but two Canadians decided to leave.

Yas / Kat from London, Virna from Chicago, Stephanie and Blane - honey mooners from California.

The varied cultures made for interesting conversation and all of us got along well often not only eating lunch together but also meeting up for activities and dinners as well.

The other groups were also friendly but had their own plans so we didn't interact with them as much as other boats probably normally do.

The biggest surprise for me was that it wasn't drinking and partying every night for me! Still had a great time though ... That's why it's always important to try not to have expectations when you travel!!! (Even when everything you've read and everyone you've talked to who has been tells you it is!!!)

Sent from my iPhone