Ferry Crash and Filthy Football

Rhonda slept in so it was a rushed pack and fry up of our daily eggs and toast. We clambered down the many steps and saw our ferry rushing in at a great speed of knots and hurried our stride, in our mind’s eye thinking the vessel’s speed rathan unwarranted… nek minut… CRASH, SCRAPE and CRUNCH !! 👀 👀 👀 🫣😳 the ferry had crashed partly onto the solid stone pier!! Then to our amazement it back pedaled at just the same speed, then came in a slightly different angle, and at the expected speed. Our own disbelief mirrored in our fellow passenger’s faces.

The crew disembarked, came and had a look. I think one older fella took a photo and then they proceeded to collect tickets as though nothing happened. I wasn’t the only one taking photos amongst the passengers. Maybe it’s not so bad living in a nanny country. Obviously it had been decided that we wouldn’t sync as the scrape may have only been superficial. I think the shock caused me to forget that I had already purchased tickets, when we handed the wrong tickets and then I purchased another €125 worth of tickets, and then handed the Steward the original tickets. 🤪 (TP Line assured me of a refund).

Moving along, we arrived at the ferry Inlet of Korcula. I thought would take some beating but the truly beautiful tree-lined path, dotted by gorgeous stone washed Michelin restaurants and cafes, looked so much like a scene from my favourite “Durrells” the azure green and blue sparking oceans gently lapping the limestones rock walls.

There was nothing for it but to don our togs and dive into such crystal clear beauty. My first dip was was quite toe-numbing but I could not resist and plunged in. Okay it was Antartically cold but very refreshing, and I managed to convince a few of our tribe to join me.

Our Tribe leader venturing in sandal-less and may have caressed the urchin with his big clod hoppers but this was nothing compared to the refreshing experience. It did however unfortunately prevent some of the rest of the party from joining us as they had shipped out their handheld encyclopedias to check out first aid for sea urchin caresses. It was as I suspected and Croatian sea urchins don’t hurt. Actually, I think it’s just the Australian creatures that are dangerous in pretty much dangerous in every department 🇦🇺 🐙

I reckon I lasted about 20 minutes and then the cold had become too much for even me. I did manage to talk an uninhibited American tourist into joining me but she also did not last long.

I was later approached by some Australian tourists asking if it was me swimming in the ocean and how cold it was. Of course I told them it wasn’t cold 😁

Eric and I found a lovely lunch restaurant and gorged on basil risotto at truffle handmade fettuccine. Not exactly Croatian but very delicious.

With an explored the exceptionally ancient city, climbed the largest bell tower. It managed to ring without me pulling on the wires, which was exciting. I’m not sure how Eric meant to squeeze up the tiny staircases, very impressive!

It was then time to find a bar to watch Manchester city meet some other English soccer team. Took me awhile to realise I was using the wrong term asking for directions and changed my wording to ‘football’. We had previously found a nice establishment but guarantee Wi-Fi, so we found our way to a very dodgy smelly looking room and coerced the bored and surly looking barman into turning on the soccer and then later turning off his loud 80s rock and letting us hear the commentary (which turned out to be Croatian but we couldn’t bring ourselves to get him turn it off) Being loyal fans we understood Mannie’s need to support his team so we enjoyed it even though I kept cheering for the incorrect team. In protest at having had his favourite tunes turned off the barman crashed and banged in the kitchen drowning out the
commentary that we couldn’t understand. Half time couldn’t come quick enough.

Raquel and I escaped to watch the sunset and escape the smelly friends of the barman, the tribe boys sought out the original badly-receptioned bar.

The sunset photograph and our eyes still full of its glow. we headed to find the boys. The hilarity could be heard a few steps away from the bar and the friendly Croatian barman appeared to be joining in the fun of the win 🏆. Pizza for dinner included a slightly eccentric Croatian barman with a fetish for Bob Marley, which he proudly boasted they played all day. He even turned the volume up for us and put on my request of ‘no woman no cry’ which he sang loudly after the song had finished. The pizzas were delicious and we followed it up with some delicious mascarpone and fig gelati!! A great day in all!!Read more