Korcula

The trip from Sarande took around 30 hours and was mostly uneventful. In the early hours one of the clips on the dingy davit gave way which certainly caused some excitement for a few minutes as we slowed down, put on another shackle , then raised it again.. No major damage just some scratches on the hull from the base of the outboard.

We arrived into the harbour at 0430am and could not raise anyone so cruised around till daylight then anchored in the bay of Uvala Luka, which is close to the port and town of Korcula, on the island of Korcula.

I found out later that all harbours here use C9 all ACI marinas use C17 and no one uses C16 unless an emergency as it is monitored from Split. We had a 2 hour quick nap then off to the Harbour masters office. We had been warned that the Croatians were ruthless about fining people for not going to the nearest port and not going straight away. We aimed to be there at opening time and we were but a dutch yachtie had beaten us. He told us he had been “punished” for not taking a direct line from the 12 mile sea border into the port in Cavat. He complained and they discounted the fine!!!

The immigration police girl who we had to see first was very nice and helpful and then took us to the harbour master who calculated our Sojourn tax and the cost of our Vignette (cruising permit). Then we had to go to the ATM machine to get the cash and then back again to pay for it. Then we had to go back to immigration and then on to customs. All in all about 70 minutes which was not bad, and everyone was very friendly. Then went back to the yacht for a long sleep.

Awoke and decided to give the boat a good wash and tidy. Covered in salt and spray and all the time at sea with no spare time had meant it was getting untidy. Great to be in an anchorage and not going anywhere. Watched all the other charter boats going out with day trippers. It was a very pretty little harbour. Loved some of the houses around it.

Went into town for lunch and a look around and to purchase some toilet hinges as one of the toilet lids had let go. Lovely old town and beautiful eating areas under the trees on the coast.

After lunch back to the boat to finish the jobs then a very relaxing evening eating kebabs off the BBQ and swimming.

While we were having cocktails on the aft deck one of the harbour masters turned up. It seems you have to pay to anchor. After some friendly banter with us asking for his ID, he told us it was 200 Kuna per night so we asked if we could get a discount for two which he agreed and told it would be 300 for 2 nights. We finally agreed after asking for a receipt which he would have done but suggested for a discount we would not need it. All in all very friendly. Then we watched him go to an american yacht and repeat the procedure- seemed like they were asking why they had to pay a anchoring fee if they had already paid a Sojourn tax – good question!! Especially as you don’t get anything for it.

Next morning slept in and it really felt like we were finally cruising with not need to move we did a couple of the unfinished jobs after breakfast then went into town to look around. Korcula is the birth place of Marco Polo so lots of T-shirts, replica spy glasses, and compasses around in the shops.

Returned to the yacht after getting a few groceries for lunch and a siesta. Liz and Simon arrived at 1910 and after picking them up and having a swim we relaxed and had dinner and drinks onboard.

Tuesday we got up and decided to look at the sites in town. Climbed up to the top of the church tower in the old town – magnificent view. The very narrow steps have additional hand holds and passing bays. Still tight with so many visitors. 25K each. Then went on to look at Marco Polo’s birth place – also has a tower 20K. The photos of the old town are in gallery below since there are a few of them.

Had lost Hew just before the first tower so after half an hour of looking gave up and went and had a drink. I then went and had another look for him and found him at the bottom of the old town steps eating an ice cream!!!

Off for more groceries and then back to the yacht for a swim. Decided the next trip was to another bay not too far away and then go further the following day.

After cruising around the nearby small islands decided to stop outside an old monastery on the island of Badja.