July 12th to July 23rd


On July 12th we traveled to Tribunj we traveled to Uvala Hiljaca on the
island of Otok Zut in Croatia.  We stayed one night and went to Zadar on the
mainland the next day. Zadar is one of the larger cities in Croatia and a
nice walled city to walk around.  We pulled into the marina Tankerkomerc to
get provisions, get the wash done and to see the city.  We didn't know it at
the time, but it was the most expensive marina we had been to so far.$55 a
night and the wash was $15 a load!!  It was also the tightest marina we have
seen, not much room! However, we made up for it because Rudy got diesel fuel
at about two-thirds the price. They apparently ran out of the regular diesel
and only had fishermen's diesel, which is duty free.  We had to pay in cash
though. Then Rudy asked to buy ice (for his G&T) and a man was kind enough
to drive him to where they make ice for the fishermen. (he probably likes
his G&T's too!!)  He brought back a 100 lb. bag of ice (it took both of them
to carry it!)  We filled as many small bags with ice as we could fit into
the freezer and threw the rest to Allan on Free Spirit (landed half on and
half off his deck!)  Mad River, Free Spirit and Boundless went to visit the
city and had a great dinner at the Pizza restaurant just down from the
internet cafe in the walled city.  We all had different meals and they were
all great, as was the house wine!!

The next day we went to Luka Jazi, Molet in thunder and lightning.  Since we
had a near strike the first year with the boat in the states, I was a little
nervous and turned all our electronic equipment off.  As we pulled into the
harbor, it quieted down and we anchored near Amulet.  It was not a good
holding anchorage, but there was plenty of room and it was quiet.   On July
15th, we went to Uvula Artaturi on Mali Losinj with Amulet.  It was a nice
anchorage, but plenty of charterers.  There we met Free Spirit and Mad River
and had a cocktail party on Boundless.  Everyone scrambled back to their
boat as another down pour was on its way.  We never did get to play
dominoes!!  We stayed there the next day while everyone else went north on
their way to Venice.  The next day we went to Luka SV.Ante on Silba.  We
decided there was too much swell in the small anchorage and went back to
Luka Jazi, Molet instead.  On July 18th, we went to Preko, Molet and met
Icarus who invited us over for cocktails.  This anchorage is right across
from Zadar. It is very nice, close to a ferry and free. We would go here to
visit Zadar! The next day we went to Sukosan on the mainland and ate at the
restaurant Kod Gusto, which was excellent, at the end of the mole right
across from the ruins of a castle in the harbor. Great holding, plenty of
room and quiet!  Then we were off to Hramina on the island of Murter.  There
was plenty of room in the harbor, great holding but a little busy.  We saw
another American boat and said hello.  It was a 65-year-old boat called
Black Fox and captain Bob has been sailing in these same waters for 27
years.  We all went to eat at Tic Toc, his favorite restaurant and had a
very enjoyable evening listening to their adventures.the food was good too!!

On July 21st we investigated Kakan and decided it was too deep. The
anchorage has plenty of room with nothing around so it is quiet and a
favorite of many who just want to hang out for a while. We went onto
Rogoznica instead and met with Two-Step.  There was a religious festival
that morning which they really enjoyed.  We went over to their boat and saw
one of the T.V. shows they produced for a Canadian and European series on
Travel.  It was excellent and we are hoping that they sell their series in
America. (they are producing a show on Croatia!!) That night Rudy and I
happened to see an ad for a Folk Dance group called LADO performing at the
marina.  We decided to go and an added incentive was.the price was right..
free!!  We were very pleasantly surprised. We found out that this group is
the Croatian National troop and is world-renowned.  They did about 12-15
different regional dances with singing and costumes depicting each region.
I introduced myself to the man next to me who happened to be the mayor of
Sibernik.. now I had a personal interpreter for the different folk dances!!

The next day we got two SMS (European phone data messages) from Dany 2 and
Soleil Sans Fins telling us there would be a BBQ on the beach in Vinisca.
We had made the decision to go there anyway, but it felt good to be
invited!!!  That night there were about 25 people from 11 boats at the BBQ.
We were introduced to the owners of s/v Thorgal and as I was speaking to
them, I realized they docked next to us in Caligari, Sardinia for one night.
We hugged and kissed like we were old friends and got to know each other a
little better.  She is German and speaks French, English and German and he
is French and only speaks French.

July 23rd we had a food run on Soleil Sans Fins to Trogir with Dionysus,
Dany 2, Glenlyon and Boundless.  We pulled alongside the wall and were told
that we had to move the boat in an hour because Princess Carolyn was coming
on her yacht.  We said that would be fine and went shopping while Rudy and
Bill stayed on the boat. We were going to tell the harbormaster that we were
the hired help, but decided against it.  Rudy picked the food and us up in
the dinghy and then we had lunch on Soleil Sans Fins as we sailed back.
That night Icarus came and Rudy pushed their dinghy to shore with them in it
so they wouldn't have to row!!  Whata guy!!