Bad start to the day - we slept in till 9am!!! OMG!! Probably set the standard for the day....been a tough one to say the least!
Adam managed to find his way back about 4am.....and it was him that really woke me at 9! We all rushed to shower, get ready and pack the car then walked down to port with him to embark on his Sail Croatia trip (mark 2!) Found his boat - "Magellan". Needless to say yet another emotional farewell! Never easy to say goodbye regardless of how happy you are for the dream they are living and experiences they are having! Just don't know when we'll see him again ....based on his expectations it could be a while! Might just have to meet him somewhere else in the world!!
With blurry eyes we wandered into the imposing Roman ruins of the Diocletian Palace which really encompasses the town itself. Decided to check out the Bell tower - didn't quite realise the extend of the climb (narrow and steep) but the view from the top was certainly worthwhile!
Also checked out the cathedral, the baptistery, and the crypt! Fascinating! Overwhelmed with the historical significance of everything!
It was 11ish and realised we needed some breakfast - what better place than in amongst the abundance of cafes and restaurants of the Palace. Then thought we'd see if boys were on board their boat - found them sitting in a bar waiting for departure (surprise, surprise!) Yet another goodbye!
Tried to find the Juice bar that Adam had been working - to not avail! He gave us directions but so difficult in that maze of streets! We wandered through shops and markets - nothing like a bit of retail therapy to lift your spirits. New shoes and dress ....feel better already!
Also bought some beautiful blackberries and almonds at the markets - yum!
Back to the car and headed off following Suzi's directions out of town and taking her advice not to get the car ferry from Split to Stari Grad on Hvar Island. Our first mistake!
The drive down the coast road was fabulous - slow and winding but once again so scenic with the barren mountains falling into that beautiful ocean. Constant flow of little coves and pebble beaches. Traffic really slowed coming into town of Omis - bustling with holiday makers, but picturesque town with trees overhanging market lined streets. Continued on to Makarska , headed off road, parked and went for wander. Long expanse of pebbly beach laden with a mass of sun-bakers and swimmers relaxing under a canopy of shady trees. The water and inflatable aqua activities looked very inviting. Whole area lined with cafes and restaurants ..... more gelato!
Continued on about another half hour to small town of Drevnik to catch car ferry across to Sucuraj on Hvar Island. Little did we know we had about a 3 hour wait ahead of us! Didn't anticipate the volume of cars/people .....little to do but wait! A beer, some blogging, a pizza, chatting to other travellers ....
Ended up leaving just after 7.30pm - trip took about 30 minutes. Witnessed the most sensational sunset.....grasping the positives out of what became a bit of a nightmare!
Arrived on Hvar Island at Sucuraj, in the dark with and hour and a half drive ahead of us and very little petrol! And apparently the drive is very windy, narrow and and at times quite hairy! This was going to be interesting to say the least!
Fortunately the road was in much better condition than we anticipated though that didn't totally alleviate the stress and anxiety of the journey. We stopped at both Jelsa and Stari Grad enroute to Hvar town in the hope of acquiring petrol but to no avail as seeing it was after 9pm petrol stations were closed!
We risked continuing the last 19kms to Hvar and thankfully we made it! I'm so lucky that Raym is such a competent and experienced driver - needless to say I was beside myself! Parked in the town car park near the bus station and a lovely Croatian lady in the corner store called Zorica, our host, for us. Croatian people are so incredibly friendly and hospitable! Within minutes she was there to greet us - I felt like hugging her I was so glad to see her! And, it was after 1030pm! She escorted us the short distance through the bustling St Stephens Square and along a couple of narrow cobblestoned lanes to her apartment above her family's restaurant, Casablanca. It goes without saying that it wasn't long before we had joined her, her father George, brother and some friends for a few glasses of her father's Croatian dry white wine! Just what we needed! Managed to share her brother's birthday cake as well which soon changed the tone of what had been a horrendous experience!