Hvar, Croatia

Goodbye Split, Hello Hvar

The last night in Split was wonderful.  After dinner, one last visit to enjoy the singer-guitarist with the other tourists outside the Luxor, beneath the arched ruins; such dreamy lighting playing up the Roman architecture. Add Amaretto and it was divine. But overnight a storm came. Thunder, rain and rattling windows. Yikes.

The alarm went off at 7am. It was raining...we considered our options - and went for it! With umbrella in hand, we purchased tickets for the ferry to Hvar.

I love a ferry ride, small and large (this is a large - the kind that carries cars & buses). Two hours later we arrive on Hvar and almost miraculously the sun comes out. OMG! Turquoise and violet water so crystal clear you could see the bottom: small fish, sea urchins and even a starfish!

Taking a taxi into the tourist area-marina, the driver suggested a 2-star hotel (we always try to spend less than $100 per night). With a great view from the balcony of the Adriatic and even a little kitchen (but no TV), we settled in and headed out to explore. It was slightly overcast, but what beautiful sites: little fishing boats, luxury yachts, islands, and tons of homes-hotels (sobos) covered in mediterranean flora (palms, orange trees, lemon trees and even cactus). And such beautiful flowers - from tiny ones we've never imagined to big red amarillas and fragrant purple wisteria.

We sat on a bench just to enjoy the sounds of waves and view the impossible blue of the water. Having left my umbrella in the room, I became concerned when 1, then 2, then 3 drops of rain appeared. A big, dark cloud was moving quickly toward us so to seek cover we went into a monestary (with a ˝museum˝ plaque.) What a gift those three drops brought us!

The old monestary is so peaceful. Gene went to explore and I sat on a bench. Only a bird's song and an occasional peal of children's laughter from the big skola (school) could be heard with a bass note of waves. I could see how one would feel closer to God here. I ask nothing, but am in awe and am grateful. Oh! What's that sound? Thunder? Wow, it's a pigeon's wings that flap in this small, accoustic paradiso as it swoops into a tiny portico filled with family.

Gene joins me. Even though the sun can't quite get through, what a show the clouds provide! The many layers of cloud-ships sail quickly by (some white, some black, some high, some with silver linings).  Gene starting singing Bob Marley's song ˝Three Little Birds˝ with the line ˝Every little thing is going to be all right˝ - JUST as 3 pigeons land at our side.

Well, this has been long since I haven't had access to a cyber cafe in Hvar for two days. But every thing did turn out all right. The next day was gloriously sunny.

Today however we discover we won't be making it to Dubrovnic and so 1 hour on the super-fast catamaran brings us back to Split. As I type, Gene is getting laundry done. We board a 6pm train out of Croatia and into Ljubljana, Slovenia. Changing money from Kuna to Euros...

Once again, the best pix are on Gene's camera. Dang it...the computer won't connect so I'll try later...

Later:

Hvar

Inside the ferry

Outside the ferry

The monastery

more Hvar 

These have been the most comfortable shoes to travel in for the last 30 years. They've been around the world. Clearly, this is their last trip - thus the pic..