Enough is enough...

As fascinating and charming as medieval towns and forts are to visit, there is a limit… and after a week, we had reached ours.

So, after leaving Dubrovnik, we spent a day at the Mljet National Park (on Mljet Island). It was as if we had been transported to a magical place – it was so quiet and peaceful.  The island is mountainous with two salt-water lakes linked by a channel.  There are many trails throughout the heavily-wooded pine, cypress and oak forest and along the lakefront.  We took a minibus into the park where we were picked up a small boat that ferried us out to a tiny island in the middle of one of the lakes.  There we found a Benedictine monastery from the 12^th century (which like many others around Croatia, is currently being “restored”…  editor’s comment: they have a long way to go).  We were then ferried back to the main island, spent some time enjoying the beautiful views, and then hiked back into the small village where we had left our dingy.  It was an exceptionally warm day and we went back to the boat and enjoyed a relaxing lunch on the top deck.

We left mid-afternoon and arrived at our next destination, the island of Korcula, at sunset.  This town’s “claim to fame” is that Marco Polo was born here, so as one might expect, the tourist shops sell all sorts of “authentic” Marco Polo artifacts.  I succumbed to T-shirts for a couple of my grandkids who drive me crazy playing “Marco Polo” in the pool.

Hvar Island was the next stop on our “island tour”.  We spent Saturday exploring Hvar town, one of the most visited along this Dalmation coast (according to the guide book).  We are obviously at the end of the tourist season (other than in Dubrovnik), which has its advantages and disadvantages. We’re very happy to not be fighting crowds along the narrow pathways on our hikes to the top of the forts.  On the other hand, we’ve been frustrated by the fact that most of the restaurants have closed for the season (… particularly the ones recommended by Trip Advisor).  We did happen across a wonderful outdoor taverna after we had hiked to the top of the fort in Hvar.  Timing is everything… they were closing that day and we probably had the best meal we’ve had since we arrived in Croatia!

                                  The Andrea Cay anchored outside Mljet National Park

                                         Sleepy little town at entrance to the park

                                             Joc and Shaz enjoying a day off the boat    

                                                    Benedictine Monastary (in the park)

                                                    We hiked around this peaceful lake

                                                       Our perfect weather continues

                                                      Korcula (Marco Polos's birthplace)

                                                                 Gail strolling the old city

                                 Searching for a dinner spot (don't they look hungry?)

                                        Hvar (of course we hiked to the fort at the top)

                                                                Hvar village square

 

                                           The strongly fortified walls protecting the fort

                                                              The fort of Hvar

                                                                View from the top
                                                    

                                      Rewarding ourselves with lunch after the big hike!