Zadar: Day 2

An early start to catch an 8 am speed boat cruise to Kornati. There were 15 people packed onto a "zodiac" that could seat 18 and 2 crew members. It was very cosy on the trip out but by the end of the day everyone was sitting on the edges.

Off the coast of Zadar there are hundreds of islands with about 10 major ones. Kornati is a National Park and is probably the furtherest out from Zadar. (About one hour on the speed boat, passingthrough several passages between islands) Most of the islands are rocky outcrops with very little vegetation. Throughout the islands there are hundreds of yachts, motor boats, cruising yachts, large launches, etc... It looks like a lot of people hire or take their boats out to secluded coves and "camp" there for a holiday.

We spent about 2 and a half hours in one of those coves in the water. I think the pictures speak for themselves. It was magnificent. When we first arrived there was our boatload and about 20 others, some from the boats moored in the cove and others who camped nearby, including a complete family of nudists! After about an hour a ferry load of people arrived and spoiled the tranquility.

After we left Kornati we stopped to have lunch about halfway back. We sat with a young Dutch couple Rudy and Helen who were very nice people. I say young because Rudy looked about 18 but informed me he was in fact 30 years old. Helena was about 25 but could have passed for 20.

After lunch we headed back towards Zadar but we're heading to Preko, a lovely town about a 15 minute boat ride opposite Zadar. Before getting to Preko the crew ( 2 young Croatian lads) stopped the boat, said it was too hot and the motor was as well, and said jump in the water for a swim. The crew had already had about 10 swims, everyone we stopped. This is where disaster struck. Andy carefully took off his hat and sunnies and top and launched himself from the side of the boat. As he dived in, he thought how great is this, then one second later, oh fuck, guess who still had his phone in his pocket? He got the phone back on board. The salt water had already shorted it put. ..so jump back on for another swim!

Preko was a lovely spot, much more quieter than Zadar. There we had a couple of drinks with the Dutch couple, before the boat returned to Zadar. Even though Andy lost his trusty phone (which had almost everything related to our travels - there are backups) it was another great day. I know we keep stating this but we have been really blessed in our travels, it is too hard to say what has been the highlight of our trip because we keep having "10s" & each and everyone is special in its own way.

After a rest and wash we went out for dinner. The meal was good but afterwards we found a square where there was dj playing some very loud music, but mainly late 70s and early 80s. There was several video screens playing other music  (but none the same). The largest screen, projected onto a wall, was playing a lot of Sister Sledge ( who are performing in Zadar this Saturday night).

Our first two days in Croatia have been excellent, Zadar has been a pleasant surprise for us and is definitely a place we could visit again. On Friday we are taking the bus down to Split.

Cheers,

A & K.