Sunday, August 31, 2008

August 29, 2008 - Hvar, Croatia

Another early morning. It is not often we are afforded such an unobstructed view of the sunrise and, while the soft covers and bedclothes are tempting me to sleep in, the sunrise wins out.

We stopped in Hvar, Croatia today. The island is more lush than our previous stop with a wide variety if subtropical vegetation. Small kiosks selling fresh cut lavender greet us as we disembark our tender in town. The aroma beckons me to linger and sample the differences in variety from one seller to another. I gown lavender in the small Texas Hill Country town where I live so I am feeling a little tug at my heart as I stroll through the stalls.

For 30 Kuna, we choose a small water taxi to take us round trip to the FKK beach, Sv. Jerolim which is a long established nudist friendly beach. The island vegetation extends almost to the water line in some places and we select a spot on the rocky beach that offers a little shade from the relentless midday sun. With the sea at our doorstep, we dip frequently to stay cool. Many passengers opted for a casual afternoon at the beach while others lingered in tow shopping. An island tour of Hvar was also offered for those wishing some cultural exchange. The three hour tour visited several historical monuments with a stop in picturesque Starigrad, a small seaside fishing village known for is large, photogenic bay. Another stop in the small farming community of Vrisnik, passengers were welcomed into a local family home for wine tasting and local cheeses. 8th generation farmers, the familly's welcome was warm and informative. We set sail in a little while for Dubrovnik. I look forward to sailing into this quaint walled city that we visited a few years ago.

No comments: