Bok (hello). Why am I in Croatia? Great question. The brilliant excuse for this trip is Andy’s 50th (friend and work colleague) and the end of my trip is meeting up with a bunch of her friends and family for a few days of what I expect to be swim, nap, cocktails…repeat.
But before then I am on a 7-night boat trip down the Dalmatian coast from Split to Dubrovnik (go look it up on a map). And by boat, I mean a ‘small ship cruise’, which sleeps 35 guests. I am the youngest, though not the only solo traveller. There are a few 50s, but by far it is couples in their 60s and 70s. Plenty of Aussies, but also English. Canadian, US, Swedish. The conversations go something like – what’s your name, where are you from, and are you still working?!! [nearly everyone is not!]
There are three kiwi ladies in their 60s who are old school friends travelling together – planning for a trip like this every year. They have already opaid their deposit for the next one. They are my life goals right there.
It is also quite probable that I must have been Mediterranean in a past life. Warm weather, siestas, sleep late, staying out late. And these are maritime people – 1000 ish islands means lots of boats and sailing and seafood. And sooo much blue…. blue skies, blue water (when it’s not a big storm front running thru).
Below are some photos from the ship – the MV Adriatica. My single room is a lot bigger than I expected, and is at the very front of the ship on the lowest deck. It is four stories – top is a sun deck, then a salon (bar, lounge and tables), then kitchen and indoor dining room. Sleeping cabins on bottom three levels (except the captain who is up to the top). 8 crew, plus a cruise manager (who is with the passengers, keeping us in line and organised).
We travel during the day and then dock in a port overnight – along with every other similar sized ship doing the same thing. We rope up 4 or 5 abreast and walk through the other ships to get to the shore. We are fed breakfast and lunch on board, and then go find our own dinner while exploring a new town each day. Walking tours and a couple of national park trips are included.
I have become one of those tour group people with a ear piece in one ear and a lanyard round my neck! The tour guide (our cruise manager, Matija) carries a microphone and we can actually hear what he says. It’s weird as I much prefer to blend in more than that – but I must say, it sure beats trying to hear a tour guide shouting in a crowd.
