Fun Day on the Dalmation Coast

Last night, Luke insisted we take a sunset stroll. We walked all the way to where the promenade ends, a couple of miles. After it got dark and the mosquitos got thick, we walked back to our apartment by the light of the waxing moon. There were lots of people partying in the streets, the most crowded I have seen the streets since arriving.

After a good night of sleep, we went to the Franciscan monastery this morning. It has a funky little museum with lots of amphorae (ceramic vessels) culled from the many ancient Roman ship wrecks in the area. They also had icons, oil paintings and odds and ends. There is a fancy little church that is very old. One grave in the floor had the date 1009! I think that was a newer grave.

Next we went to the Benedictine Monastery. The nuns that live there never leave the convent walls once they join. They use their time to pray and make threads from the Agave plants for tatting lace. It is a labor intensive process. The smallest piece they sell is $55, from there it goes up.

After that we went to the grocery store and bought supplies for a picnic. Then we went down to the harbor and rented a speed boat. Let me tell you, that boat was anything but speedy. We went out and boated around the islands here off the Dalmation coast. It is beautiful. The islands have scrubby vegetation with white rock, and set against the azure blue sea it is a pretty picture. We dropped anchor in a small cove and ate our picnic lunch. Then we climbed off our boat and swam. The water is so clear and the temperature is pleasant for swimming. We all enjoyed it for the novelty and the beauty of the setting, but we all agree we are not boating or hot weather people. We are true Pacific Northwesters, we prefer the cooler temps!

Luke is ready to move on, as the mosquitos are eating him alive. They are putting a pretty good dent in me too, Skip, not so much. The one really nice thing about this hot weather is the lovely mornings and evenings.

This is a place where house plants grow outside to the size of trees and large bushes. There is a Begonia bush outside our apartment door. I didn't know they could get so big! The other thing outside our apartment, cats! Lots of starving, pregnant cats. I don't think they spay or neuter pets here. I fed two of the strays, much to Luke's chagrin. He says the stray cats are harshing his vacation mellow. They come around when we eat and stare at us and meow. They are so skinny and pathetic, I can't resist feeding them. I sure our landlady will thank me!

Tomorrow we are taking the 6:30 a.m. ferry to Split. We will tour Diocletian's palace and then take an afternoon bus to Dubrovnik.