Day 3 - change of plans!

This morning we had a weather related boat and bike detour. I was prepared to ride, but at breakfast our cycling guide Natasha put the fear of God in us. She said the optional morning ride, different than the itinerary, would involve a steep climb longer than yesterday's... accompanied by wind, wet roads and rain. 

I'm pretty sure she wanted to weed out the slow pokes, myself included. Only 11 out of 28 opted in. Not I! 

On a lighter note, we had our first breakfast on board. Plenty of fruit, eggs, cheeses, funny looking sausages, etc. No complaints...

The galley

I don't usually have grilled zucchini for breakfast but why not? When in Croatia...

Extra points if you can identify everything here...hint..2 are pate' 😁

Before the boat left at 9:30am, I had a chance to take a brisk walk round the peaceful village and enjoy the sounds of seagulls, a rooster, church bells, and even hear hymns and a Catholic mass (in Croatian) from outside the church door. Enjoy... the brave cyclists would meet us at the next stop.

Most towns have little promenades that jut into the harbor and have beautiful sculptures.

Local stone souvenirs. I almost bought a mortar and pestle.

A rare colored building

Flowers everywhere in town

Every town has a butcher shop

Fragrant peonies..my favorite!

Below, cruising to our next stop, Milna on the north side of the island of Brač.

The island of Brac's history dates back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Like much of Dalmatia, the island of Brac also was part of the Roman Empire although little evidence can be seen today. Our overnight stop is the town of Milna, quieter and less crowded and touristy than many Croatian towns. There is a beautiful church with a bell tower that dates to the 1500s

Normally a typical quiet fishing village, it is interesting that the Russian fleet harboured its fleet in Milna during the Napoleonic wars. In 1806, there was a major naval battle in the waters of Milna between the Russians and the French. The Venetians called it “Valle di mille navi” (the bay of a thousand ships), and I can see why. I've never seen so many katamarans, sailboats, fishing boats and charter boats in one small harbor.

 Milna boasts the only stonemasonry school in Croatia as well as locally produced wine and olives. It is hilly and has a mix of new and ancient stone dwellings, some crumbling and abandoned, others restored. As always, there were wildflowers everywhere...and a few cats.

Before I set out for my 3 hour walk, we all had lunch on board... Croatian beer, a really delicious light pasta, followed by fish and veggies and mousse for dessert.

It's still windy and cool, so we are all just chilling on the boat, grabbing some dinner along the Riva (riverwalk) or catching up on reading, emails and blogs! 😁