Early start this morning for our expedition to Korcula. Bit apprehensive after the hold ups on our way over to Hvar but hopefully we had allowed adequate time. The hour and a half drive back to Sucuraj was much more pleasant this time despite meeting more oncoming vehicles - often very tight! So picturesque as the narrow road wound around the rolling hills dotted with vineyards, olive groves, bushland and sporadic tiny quaint villages. Some sections of the road have been resealed and widened and are excellent - others still poor with sheer drops.
Arrived in Sucuraj to a significant queue of vehicles with still about 45 minutes till the scheduled 945am departure. I hot footed it to the Jadrolinija ticket office counting the cars on the way and realised we were about number 36 so weren't going to make the next ferry. Fortunately some luck in our favour - an extra unscheduled ferry arrived, so we were sweet for the 945! Time for a quick wander around the quaint little fishing village of Sucuraj - coffee to go, croissant and some fruit from a local market. After our 35 minute ferry journey, we are back in Drvensik and on the road again. Only about a 30 minute trip along the coast, the end of the Makarska Riviera, passing more rocky coves and little seaside towns. Road veered inland slightly before winding through a scenic lakes area - The Bacia Lakes. Then a descent to the port town of Ploce, with fingers crossed that we weren't going to be greeted by massive queues for our next ferry journey across the peninsula to Trpanj. Hallelujah! Only about a dozen vehicles and over an hour and a half till the 1245 departure.! This one doesn't operate so frequently so needed plenty of time to spare. Bought our tickets (none of these can be done online or in advance!) and wandered around Ploce. Bit daggy but an abundance of cafes - obviously thrive on people waiting for ferries. Had coffee and Raym found a deli in a market for a fresh ham and cheese roll.
Once we spotted the ferry entering the port was obvious this ferry was probably twice the size of the previous one. Massive with two levels for vehicles plus large indoor air conditioned deck with kiosk facilities. Certainly made for a pleasant hour journey across to Trpanj, and great to view that formidable coastline from the sea for a change.
We then had a 22km drive along yet another winding scenic route across this section of peninsular to the quaint little seaside area of Orebic for our next ferry across to Korcula. Orebic appears a tourist haven itself and fortunately the ferries run virtually hourly and have a high capacity (about 100 vehicles) so our wait was short. Barely time for ticket purchase and gelato! Ferry ticket prices are quite reasonable - have ranged from about 100Kuna ($20) to 220Kuna ($44).
Journey to Domince on Korcula was only 20 minutes and with a 3 km drive into the car park of the old town we had reached our destination before 3pm! Astounded that everything coordinated perfectly!
Acquired a map from the tourist information office and strolled off to find our little guest house room which only took a few minutes. Perfect location with a view over Korcula roof tops. And, a lovely modern and comfortable room.
Our host, Vesa, was just delightful and very accommodating - lent us a beach towel as we felt we needed a cool off before tackling much else. The pebbly beach we found was lovely and water temperature sensational - warm but invigorating (not like the freezing water at Hvar!) a couple of pivos by the water before heading back into old town and meandering through the maze of narrow cobblestoned streets.
Showered and changed for dinner and were off before sunset to find Massimo bar that Susan and Steve recommended to us. What an experience! The bar is on the top of a turret in the town wall and is accessed by ladder! Cocktails and the sunset! Superb! Met a lovely young couple from Berlin, he was German and she was Brazilian, who were excellent company. Then it was dinner - in a restaurant on the edge of the town wall overlooking the water. Fish plate for two was scrumptious! Topped off a super day!