Highlights
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My keepsake is found
Yes, the blue light IS that amazing
Hvar Fortress hike
New friend: Syd
Learnings:
Bring the backpack not the beach bag
Don’t save laundry til the last minute
Today I decided to schedule a tour out to an infamous tourist attraction... wait aren’t all of these tours doing that? Sure are! Some of them are necessary for the required logistics; its so much easier to let the tour company handle all of that. Can you imagine me renting a car here and trying to figure out how to drive to an island? Enough said?
So, this little tour had a few stops which is intended since the blue cave is about 2 hours on a speed boat and would be quite lame to just buzz straight there and then right back. I also discovered in reading about the cave that typically you only get about 5-15 minutes inside. Why not enjoy some of the trip right? Ours included a stop to Hvar which was a recommendation from my mother’s cousin Michael (thank you Michael!) so I was happy that made my list, and the other stops included a little place you may know if you are a Mama Mia fan, can’t say I am... called Komiza. Swimming on a little island owned by one guy which the dubbed the blue lagoon, and then home!
Let the adventure begin!
First - the boat. Super cool! It was a speed boat so not that big but it had two rows of seating which you basically straddle then hold on! I think we went up to 30mph?
First stop - blue cave! Here the guide jumps off madly dashing to get our tickets for us - this is one of those perk moments for sure - she knew exactly what she was doing got our numbers and we were set. We had to get on a different boat for the cave so here we waited.
Well actually, with the line being a bit of a wait - we took off to a different cave to check it out first. It was bigger but still very nice and interesting. I’m easy to please apparently - I think rocks are interesting. I’m not just saying that... if you know me, I’m actually pretty intrigued lol and yes, I have about 4 rocks I’ve collected on this trip already. I will not complain about how heavy my bag is.
Side note: So, I was asked who this ‘we’ is when I’m writing my blog. Well, most times I just mean the group I’m on the tour with. I will say that today ‘we’ may refer to my new friend Syd. We ended up sitting paired up at the back of the boat and after confirming we both knew English it turned out that Syd was also from Calgary!? Well, who would have thought. Syd and I basically enjoyed the rest of this trip together...
We are cued for the boat! It’s a smaller motor boat and when we get to the cave we soon find out why, the cave is quite small to enter - we all were required to actually duck down. Well, what more can I say? It was amazing and clearly - you all should go! Whoever is still reading these lengthy blogs anyway... hello there! Thanks for making sure I’m alive :) although I’m a few days behind... ok back to it.
We leave the cave - back to our boat - and out to sea! We travel a bit to have a breakfast stop at the island of Vice in the little town where Mama Mia 2 was filmed as I mentioned called Komiza. We had over an hour so Syd and I took a quick stroll through the little town and finally ended at a restaurant recommended by the guide called Pizzaria Charlie. I ordered an omelette lol at the Pizzaria - and Syd ordered a pizza. I was so focused on mine that I didn’t even think to warn Syd about the size of pizza, so he had a similar experience to mine the other night but like a champ, he ate the whole thing! It looked amazing. Mine was - good. I say that only because I’ve since had a much better omelette.
We are off! It’s a bit of a hike to our next stop so we enjoy the boat and breeze - our captains take us to a Uneseco beach which apparently is top 10 in the world? Something like that, and it’s absolutely bonkers. You can’t take your boat in so they are all cued in the lagoon area where, if you pleaded, you could jump off the boat and swim to the beach. I opted out, but a few of the people on the boat went for it. At this point I learned my friend Syd was not a swimmer. Lucky for Syd I was prepared for this moment in more than one way. First, duh, I had just been on a boat for 10 days... so when I saw him adamantly ensuring his life jacket was on each time I kind of had a hint he wasn’t 100%. (Our intro to the life jackets was, ‘just put them on over your shoulders - the water patrol requires it’ - nothing about how they work). Knowing now Syd’s situation I walked him through the process. I also think I will take a life guard course when I get home, as our next stop was a beautiful little beach where we were let out to swim again with snorkels and here to my surprise, Syd took to the water. After another how to on snorkel gear and letting him know my embarrassing first time with one on (ask me about that story sometime - I’m sure a few of you know) he was timid, but I think excited. I told him the water is so salty you float like it’s magic and if you have the mask on right, breathing controlled, you can really get lost looking under water.
The little stop was dubbed the blue lagoon. Apparently the island is owned by one dude. He allows boats to stop here to swim but we were asked to not be stupid as he can easily also kick everyone off the island and this has happened before. He has a small restaurant here for people and farms the land. I didn’t ask what kind of farming...
Great success! We swim! We survive! Meagan finds a seashell! Neither of us step on the million and one sea urchins! (Not exaggerating) Upon returning to the boat we have our next - most anticipated - stop, Hvar!
I can’t explain Hvar, but I will say more than 3 hours is required here. Within that short window we hiked up the mountain to the old fortress (Syd if you read this I want you to know I was 100% not going to do it, but I figured I would regret that and when you made the call I got my dumb ass in line and joined you - even though chilling on the pier with a pivo or three was calling my name)
The fortress was amazing. The view alone was worth the understanding that I am still not climatized to this damn heat. Always carry water - and next time Meagan for goodness sake bring the day pack not the beach bag.
After we explore a bit we make our way back down for a now, well earned beer. Syd tells me about his travels so far - he’s been on quite a trip! Working his way through Germany where he had some family through Austria and Portugal... I think? I’ve talked to a few people since then and I’m overlapping stories I think, but the fun part is Syds next points are Rome and Florence! I wish our days aligned better and we could have maybe explored together more! Alas he was leaving the next day, he told me he would let me know how it goes and any suggestions (since I’m behind on my blogs I will update you now that he has!)
Time slipping away, we get back to the boat - next stop - home.
The day is done, another one for the books. Syd and I say our goodbyes as he has laundry to get to and so did I. I took a stroll through old town since I hadn’t had the chance yet. I found an artwork to bring home that I’m absolutely so happy to have discovered. Sent off some postcards. Tried to catch dinner but the place I stopped at only served drinks - apparently this is a thing in Croatia, third time it’s happened to me.
So, a bit hangry, and upset I paid 50Kuna for basically a glass of ice at this stupid place... I called Uber and took off to a little spot near my Airbnb upon my hosts recommendations and my mother’s ability to decipher the best option. I end up a bit lost looking for it, but finally find the craft beer pub called Pivarij Twins. It’s basically a burger and beer spot - and this time I got just that.
It was good enough for me. I was also the only customer... the burgers here are a mix of pork and beef which give it a nice flavour, I don’t enjoy that they use a cheese sauce though and that seems quite common and popular.
A long day, and still I must pack since I only booked my little place for 2 nights and of course when I tried to extend it was already booked by another. This actually caused me some grief since I booked another excursion for the next day and now had to put my bags in some kind of storage in the morning... did I mention it was already almost 11 and I had to meet the tour at 7am?
Why Meagan, why.
Alone in the restaurant waiting for my burger with one of the local craft beers - I was happy to drink anything they gave me at this point!
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View from half way up to the Hvar Fortress!
My ridiculous drink that was mostly ice and only ordered in hopes of also having food with it...
The supposed beautiful secret beach!? I’ll have to see if I can find the name of it... this view doesn’t show the 40 boats parked behind us (again not exaggerating) our guide was worried that we wouldn’t be able to leave actually...
Morning view Before the journey!
First cave - notice - it is not blue. So, this is now known as ‘not blue cabe’
Hey! That’s Syd! He accidentally walked into my super touristy photo of the large canons found on the fortress. We couldn’t decide if they were originals or not - I’m still skeptical since I’ve now seen very similar ones on the walls of Dubrovnik...
The little art stand where my artist friend was painting :D I have definitely purchased a few gimicky tourist items but my goal with all purchase when I travel is to find unique and original pieces that support locals. I also find artwork is the best souvenir. So, win win here.
The boat!
Ah, now that’s more blue! This shows an under water bridge in the cave, the bit of info shared here is that the blue comes from the reflection of light from the literal white sand below the cave. There were a few other things but I was hypnotized by the color, it was all consuming honestly.
This fun little fountain was in the Dalmatian Palace while I walked around that evening I stumbled upon it. I thought it was going to be a statue peeing honestly... still not sure if that’s what it’s getting at? All I know is that all fountains like this are potable which is great for when you need a drink! Not so great when those cheap backpackers who need a shower...
A really neat little replica of the City!
My omelette! The salad was Almost the best part ... that cheese was dreamy
Fun little find along the streets of Komiza
I’m documenting the postcards I send home... as I’m not terribly confident in their arrivals...
The beach where Syd and I snorkeled!
My burger! Lol I love my stupid photo comments... hey look my burger - would you have known though without me being so descriptive and poignant? I’m going with no, and that I should continue ensuring all photos have a great banner with them.
Are you still reading this? Bless your soul. It only gets better right? Lucky for you my trip is almost done...
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