Austrians in the Med

For those who don't know, back in 2003 we had Verena stay with us in NZ as an exchange student for 3 months. We thoroughly enjoyed  catching up and loved our time with her brother Michael and sister Ricarda....Verena has written the blog as she saw it......

After a long and tedious journey (Croatians and their public transportation…they really are in no hurry to get from A to B), we finally arrived in Split. We had a walk in the scorching heat when we arrived in the Marina and soon discovered Steve and Angela’s boat “Split Enz”. We were welcomed cordially and were shown around the boat. We were stoked; such a stunning conveyance! This would be our home for the next 10 days. 

Verena on the bow

Captain Ricarda

Michael chilling out.

Usually our days started with a nice morning swim which was followed by some breakfast. Then we left the bay we stayed at for another destination. We had lunch during (or after) our cruise and after having sailed for a few hours, we anchored at another bay. We discovered the new land, went swimming and snorkelling and just enjoyed ourselves. After that it was Pivo-time (which basically meant that we were having some snacks and drinking some good, Croatian beer) and in the late evening we always had a lovely dinner which was prepared by our chef, Ange. Our days were accompanied by interesting conversations, a lot of laughter (Steve called us “the 3 mad Hackers”; we wonder why that is? ;) ), sunshine and crystal-clear water.

Surfs up for Verena

Yet another superb sunset

Michael Ricarda and Verena

Ange and Verena

Steve giving Verena a few tips

  

 

Monday: first, our journey took us to a tiny little bay on the island Brač; we left Angela and Steve to take the dingy ashore and walk around the island a bit, the flora was spectacular and we saw an old abandoned house, Michael even found some wild herbs which we later used for cooking, after Angela and Steve went to bed, we plunged our feet into the water and couldn’t believe that we saw fluorescent plankton, it was truly magical.

 

Tuesday: we finally could do some proper sailing, the waves were 2-3 metres high; consequently the boat was shaking like mad, thus Angela and Ricarda became seasick whereas Verena, the adventurous one, had the time of her life; we anchored in Loviste, in the evening you could see the stars very brightly, so Michael, our astronomer, did some star-gazing.,

Michael holding the genoa out on the flat run.

Yes we have wind at last.

 

 

Wednesday: we decided to have a day off and stay in Loviste; while Ange and Steve remained on the boat, we Austrians went ashore and explored the village; it was such a lovely place, we went for a coffee,  walked around the island and took all its beauty in.

Ricarda

 

 

Thursday: we sailed to the island Mljet and anchored at a lovely bay which was part of a national park (still there was a lot of rubbish on the bank which was a shame), we Austrians swam ashore to do some exploring again and just discovered the most beautiful spot with a view onto the sea, Michael found some wild onions which we peeled and then transported back to our boat, this day we offered to cook dinner for Angela and Steve and of course made use of the onions (they were delicious, however, the next day we- how can you put this delicately- had some problems with our digestion ;) )

Michael having a crack at rowing....

Meal time with the Hackers

Verena having one of her many swims

Michael with his wild onion find on the fore shore.
 

Split Enz at sunset

The sea can make you crazy....
 

 

Friday: we headed south and anchored in Cavtat, a town a few kilometres south of Dubrovnik; during our sail, we met up with Anne and Cam, 2 of the Northey’s Aussie friends and Susie and Blair, their guests; we had a deep water swim where we briefly got to know each other for the first time and after we anchored in Cavtat, they joined us for some Pivo-time, in the evening we dined out in Cavtat and had a delicious dinner with lovely people and merry conversations.

Verena, Anne, Blair, Ange, Ricarda and Michael
 

The Austrians, kiwis and Aussies big night out.

I think its up here some-where

 

Saturday: we took the bus to Dubrovnik and did a walk around the city walls; it probably wasn’t the best time of day because we walked for 2 hours in the sweltering heat (we were exhausted afterwards) but it was totally worth it, what an amazing city Dubrovnik is! All these tiny narrow alleys, the simple but beautiful buildings and the lovely harbour, surrounded by the sea, we were all blown away.

Dubrovnik, Northeys and Hackers

Ricarda at the old city Dubrovnik

Certainly didn't go hungry

Verena sitting on steps in Dubrovnik

Sunday: it was Ricarda’s last day (she left earlier because she did another trip with her friends) and so we left for Dubrovnik again to explore the city a little more, we did some shopping , walked around the city and stayed at a café, afterwards we met up with Steve, Ange, Anne and Cam and had a delicious dinner at a restaurant which was situated on a lovely plaza, after that it was time for our first goodbyes, we Austrians stayed a bit longer to enjoy Dubrovnik by night and then our ways parted (Ricarda took the night bus to Zagreb)

Our last meal together before Ricarda departed

Ange, Ricarda and Steve

Verena, Ange, Steve,,Michael and Ricarda in Dudrovnik

 

Monday-Wednesday: as we have settled our official formalities with Croatia in order to enter Montenegro, the way was paved to experience another, amazing country. From the beginning, Montenegro was stunning and wasn’t sparing with its beauty. As we entered the fjord-like passage into Kotor, even Steve, who usually is not as mad a photographer as we are, took one picture after another. Kotor, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, blew our minds, especially when we went all the way up to the ruins of the fortress. After a lovely lunch, we (Verena and Michael) had to leave the boat eventually and say our final goodbyes. Steve and Angela accompanied us to the bus station before we headed off to Dubrovnik again.

Ange, Steve, Michael and Verena

Montenegro fjord.

The view from half way up to the flagpole

Verena free falling,,,,,parachute optional.

The view of Montenegro at the summit.

Steve, Ange, Verena, Anne, Michael and Cam at the top overlooking Kotor.
 

All in all, it has been a wonderful time with you guys. Thank you Angela and Steve, for accommodating us and showing us some beautiful parts of Croatia and Montenegro. We laughed a lot, talked a lot and ate a lot – what else do you need? J See you soon in Austria.

Love from the “3 mad Hackers”

Verena, Ricarda and Michael