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Port of entry for Croatia is Umag.
Umag was once an old Venetian wine port, today it is a modern
marina and a tourist spot. At the moment in spring time we
are able to enjoy the charm of the small old town. During
the season the narrow alleys will be crowded with thousands
of tourists.
In the days to come we will visit
several sea ports along the coast of Istria, approaching them
with the power of the wind of course.
| Rovinj is the sea port with
the most Italian flair. It is also called "Pearl
of the Adriatic Sea". |
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A little way South is Pula,
the former "Rome of Istria". It is still resplendent
with a magnificent Classical atmosphere. The amphitheater
overlooks the marina as well as the shipyard and the
industrial harbor. The streets and alleys of the old
part of town show their special character. There is
a big market hall in the center with all the goodies
you want to eat and drink on your boat.
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Vrsar is the city of marble.
The nearby quarries provided the marble for the palaces
and churches of Venice and Ravenna. The rich city of
Vrsar, as a Venetian city, did not pay taxes to the
Signoria. For us the little city stays in our mind because
of the exquisite stuffed squids in the little restaurant
on top of the hill.
Each harbour also means
berthing and don't talk about the little "rumms"
that happened while berthing. Only once did we loose
a fender and threw the boat hook right after it! And
Rainer carries always a pipe wrench for emergencies!
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Wind and weather show us
their whole range (well, almost). At one end Rainer
and Karl practise turning in total calm without any
wind. And at the other end we have wind between 40 And
45 knots, but it doesn't get uncomfortable on board.
This leads the skipper in a storm of enthusiasm about
the behaviour of his boat.
| Of course there are
also problems, for instance when I - without noticing
- switch off plotter and radio with my behind and
for a while we are without any fix. Not really because
I know how to use the little GPS. But this shows
us how important it is to practise conventional
navigation as a backup. But nevertheless our electronic
navigator is absolutely great! |
Another thing to get nervous
about are gale warnings over the radio - as long as
we don't realize they are not meant for our sailing
area.
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While Rainer takes care
of his little basil plant (the tomato plantation shrank),
Karl and I try the water, but at 15 degrees water
temperature it is almost a torture.
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| The culinary part
also is worth a mention: Karl and I empty the
shelves of the Pula market hall and Rainer prepares
what we buy. Shrimps with lots of garlic are delicious,
the chevapcicis as well. But these kofta-type
things contain so much grease we don't like. Into
the sink and woops - the drain pipe is blocked.
This means several hours of work for the men but
now they know the draining system of the boat
very well. |
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| After 10 days
we are back in our marina Punta Gabbiani and GERIATRI'X'
is in her berth. |
| The deck has to be swabbed
and the pictures taken care of. |
| The first
turn -- a great adventure with success! |
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