Warning!!! Lots of photos...
Beginning of June was very hot and we took advantage of nice summerly weather and spent the weekend on the boat. There was absolutely no wind, so we didn't go far - only to bay of Petrina - again. The sea was not very warm yet, but some of us were brave enough to go swimming.
But mostly the whole weekend's motto was:
On our way back to Klimno we made a detour by pretty town of Vrbnik.
A week later, last week that is, we took a week off to do some sailing. Unfortunately the weather forecast was quite bad, a lot of burja, north-east wind with strong gusts, and lots of rain. So on Saturday we made a plan to sail to the North and around island of Krk to avoid Senj strait on the South of island, where the wind is the strongest, and then towards South to Rab. There was no wind and we motored under the Krk bridge.
First night we slept near the town of Njivice and next day sailed to town Krk. Weather was still cloudy and wind strong with gusts, as forecast, and the sailing was a lot of work. We made a stop in front of the town of Krk...
... and after lunch and the tour of the town we sailed on a little further South and made a stop for the night in front of Punat bay.
Next day we sailed to small island of Plavnik in hope to see vultures that nest there.
Maybe the vultures were hinding from the strong wind, we didn't see any. As soon as we sailed from behind the protection of island, burja hit us with full strength. With severely reefed sails we were banging into the waves. We knew the burja was strongest around the strait of Senj (in the photo),...
... but we were not sure what to expect. Wind gusts were up to 40 knots, luckily there was only 10 miles to island of Rab. We found shelter in bay of Supetrska draga. Bay looked calm and water inviting despite the clouds and the cold. This ladder was used to spot tunas.
Next morning we crossed the bay to an even prettier spot - couple of small islands surrounded by turquoise water, it's called Hawaii.
Towards noon even the clouds disappeared and we all went swimming.
In the afternoon we moved a bit further South and found this beautiful bay for the night. There are plenty of pretty anchorages in this area, all with beautiful clear water, surrounded by dense wood and not a hotel in sight. Quite unusual.
There were several small motor boats anchored further in the bay, but they all left in the evening.
We had a visitor on board.
Next day we had a good breakfast and a long lazy morning with lots of swimming. After all the wind and waves and clouds on the days before we deserved it. Later in the day we sailed South to town of Rab.
We found a pretty anchorage with our own private little island not far from town.
In the afternoon we dinghied to town and strolled through the old stone streets. There were flowers growing from stone walls.
One of the prettiest patios.
Looking over the roofs towards South to Heron's anchorage.
Along the peninsula where the town is, there is a nice promenade with plenty of places to rest or to sun bathe. The writing says: My bench.
Along the promenade there are many interesting rocks with strange patterns.
Here the writing says: My rocks.
Caper plant growing from the wall...
... with capers on it.
Town is really pretty, we were all impressed by it.
Heron at her anchorage.
That night we had a delicious dinner in Rab in restaurant Labirint. Fresh fish baked in oven with veggies and potatoes, yumm.
Next day we sailed further South along the Rab coast and saw many nice anchorages. This light house is at the southest point of the island, there are Velebit hills on the mainland in the background.
We turned towards North again...
... and anchored in bay of Mag. It is a total opposite of green and lush North part of island, here it looks like a Moon surface. It is because of the strong burja wind that blows from mainland and prevents plants from setting roots. Nevertheless, it was still very pretty.
Next day we sailed further North and stopped at Goli otok. There was a prison for political prisoners there in Jugoslavija. Even now, after 36 years, not a happy place.
And even in a barren, unhappy place like that, there is some beauty.
In the late afternoon we made a stop for dinner in this beautiful bay on island Grgur.
We spent the night in Vela luka bay on Krk. In the night the strong burja was back, although we had almost no wind in last three days. So the night was loud and rocky, just like we were on the ocean. Next day we sailed through Senj strait, luckily burja calmed down, and a little before noon we reached bay of Klimno. We went swimming one last time and then it was time to go ashore. After a nice lunch in a local restaurant we drove back home.
