Crew: Paul & Lineke Andes and Flip & Sally Gonzalez
June 19. Rendezvous with Flip and Sally at Rex Taverna for dinner and finally rest for the tired travellers on Migration.
June 20. Gyros for lunch. Flip stayed aboard to recover from a fierce gout attack. Sally and Sheila explored "Old Town" while Mike worked at the Internet Cafe. Later Paul and Lineke arrived at NAOK Yacht Club after 30+ hours of continuous travel. Migration welcomed us warmly. We sampled delightful Greek delicacies at La Cuchina, then crashed.
June 21. Capt and crew into town for sightseeing and business. Mike again to Internet Cafe while Sheila led us on a climb of the fort, then right through the middle of town (reading Greek street signs and matching them with her map) to the Byzantine Museum. It was a small church, once privately owned and filled with many ancient icons. Corfu still as lovely as I remembered.
June 22. Underway at 930a for Gouvia Marina for both water and fuel. Diesel now $5.00 per gallon! Cast off for the 30+ hour sail to Dubrovnik, arriving at 1130a. Passing through the narrows between NE Corfu and Albania we observed the dazzling blue of the "wine dark" waters. Sheila fixed a delicious pasta dish with chicken, mango and cranberrries. Our watch schedule worked out well. Only 2 hours per couple and the night passed peacefully and uneventfully.
June 23. During our 400-600am watch we noticed a tiny white light on the horizon on the starboard beam. It turned out to be the narrow crescent of the new moon rising, followed an hour later by Venus, the morning star. It created a lovely jewelry-like design. To complete this unforgetable memory a dolphin arched along side of the boat. This day cannot be ruined! We arrived in Dubrovinik at 1530 to a total of 28 hours underway. Mike guided the boat close to the old walled city for a photo opportunity. What a majestic view! Later while Mike was "clearing in" to Croatia, we exchanged our money for Kunas and shopped the open air vegetable market across the street. Then we walked around the harbor to a Kanova (family run cellar restaurant). The mussels in white wine were great. Back at the boat we had Ouzo and Pastis for desert. No insomnia on Migraiton.
June 24. Breakfast was fresh peaches, Greek yoghurt and musili. Sheila had found sour cherries which she stewed lightly with some sugar. Delish. We bought tickets at the nearby kiosk and hopped on the bus, adjacent to our boat, headed for Old Town. There were three enormous cruise ships moored just outside the old harbor. They had just disgorged their hordes. Not crowds nor heat can diminish the visual impact of this lovely old city. Lunch at Kanoba Karmen, close to the cathedral, was a quiet picturesque haven from the crowds. Back at the boat Sheila fixed cheese stuffed green peppers. Both hot and delightful. Also a tasty eggplant ratatouille. A gourmet cruise!
June 25. Up anchor at 1015 for Korcula. Powering through the calm seas reminded me of the many months of motoring on the Free Flight, our Bristol 45, 10 years earlier. We arrived at 1715 and anchored in Luka Bay. After "Cocktail hours" we dinghied into town to explore. Korcula Town has been called "Little Dubrovnik." Because of its smaller size it seems even more charming and picturesqe. Dinner at the Marco Polo restaurant. Paul ate the very best octopus he ever tasted. My large grilled shrimp were great. grappa for desert. This town has World Cup fever. Everywhere large screens were displaying soccer. Even the ladies room was in style with football T.P. More grappa. Do not remember returning to the boat.
June 26. Walked all over Korcula, in and out of small ancient alleys. Even though we've been there before, it never fails to suprise us. Saw Marco Polo's house again and took pictures. Flip stayed on the boat. Ankle very swollen and red. Mike went to the Internet Cafe. Sheila and Sally shopped. We all met for lunch along the sea wall promenade where the breeze was refreshing and the view spectacular. At cocktail hours we started wondering where our fearless leader was at 1950 hours. Consensus of opinion was that perhaps the "Siren of Korcula" had lured him. Earlier this overweight bathing beauty was observed fluffing her ample breasts at him. We saw smoke coming from a chimney amont the pines at the end of the harbor. Through binoculars it looked like a small taverna. So Paul and I took the dinghy to investigate. It was Kanoba Lanterna. We made reservatons. Flip could not go, still in pain and very much swollen. Nice dinner on the terrace. We loved their huge mixed barbequed meat platter.
June 27. Underway at 900 hours in calm sea and brilliant sunshine. At 1200 we arrived at Otok Scedro (AKA Skid Row). This pristine cove called Uvala Manastir had a deep azure edged in turquoise. Very clear water. We swam in 82 degree water, lovely and refreshing. After a tuna salad lunch we took the dinghy ot the head of the cove to explore the ruins of a Dominican monastery founded in the 15th century, but abandoned in the 18th century. In the small taverna was an English speaking bar tender/owner who gave us half a loaf of bread. We had no money on us. He told Sheila pay me later. We picked fresh rosemary, sage and dill from the grounds around the ruins. We left at 1455 to arrive in Hvar at 1645. Busy harbor, lots of ferry traffic. We walked around town for an hour and one half. On the cay a film crew was busy with reflective screens and loud Italian director was shouting orders. We had dinner at Palacia Paladini, which was a palace in the 15th century. Nice and expensive dinner of Chateau Birian, lamb, shellfish, shrimp and lots of white wine.
June 28. Sheila made a wonderful omelet with vegatables and prosciutto ham for breakfast. We departed at 915 under power in calm seas. We read, Sheila and Sally played gin. 1225 we anchored in Split harbor. Another safe passage! Hard to believe our stay on Migration is ending. Tonight is our last night. Tomorrow, Deo Volente, we will fly to Frankfurt, Dulles then Ft. Lauderdale. Thank you, Sheila and Mike, for making this trip possible. We felt completely at home aboard and your hospitality was overwhelming. You made our memnories come alive!!