Travel diary: Xacus goes to Croatia
Travel diary: Xacus goes to Croatia
Three friends, a skipper and full sail toward Croatia. There are a thousand things to do before we set sail for our adventure among the Adriatic coasts, such as checking the fuel (as we won't always have wind in our sails!), the engine oil, loading the gas cylinder and our luggage - light, just the necessary to take a break from the city - bathing suits, flip-flops, loafers, my Xacus linen shirts, mask and fins to admire the barrier reef.
The idea is to follow an off-beat route and the island to Dugi Otok, which means ‘Long Island’ in Croatian - the perfect destination for a slow life holiday. 45 km, only 1,700 residents, turquoise sea and simple restaurants, surrounded by the breathtaking nature of Zadar County.
From the charming Mijake Bay, to dinner on the sea at Konoba Zlatna Vala
Before we get to the long island, we pass through the smaller Ist and Molat islands, separated by a narrow canal, overlooked by the tiny and fascinating Mijake Bay, where we stop for drinks and some music, and I get the chance to flaunt my green military linen shirt with Mandarin collar, perfect with my white linen trousers, and loafers to get off the boat. I’ll wear the same for dinner too. We are headed toward the Konoba Zlatna Vala. The tender takes us to dry land, to enjoy dinner by the sea, in one of the best seafood restaurants in the archipelago. Claudia blends in perfectly with the island, beaming in her light blue linen blouse with kaftan collar, over wraparound trousers and a long ethnic necklace. Seafood has an entire new flavour, with the sound of the sea in the background, at sunset.
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The desert Sakarun Lopata bay
We sleep in the harbour and get up at 7 the next morning, to set sail toward the desert Sakarun Lopata bay, on the outer edge of the island, with a deep blue sea, typical of our Mediterranean island, especially around the small Mezanj island. A white sand beach makes the water in the bay hypnotizing. Its allure lies in its essential and authentic nature, except for the wooden gazebos, a few coffee tables and the basic sofa to have a snack. And Pier Paolo and I dig in: we are wearing our nice Xacus linen shirts over our Bermuda shorts. I’m wearing a classic striped model, while Paolo dares with a linen floral shirt with light blue and saffron leaves, which I envy a little. I’ll ask him to lend it to me tomorrow. Claudia keeps on roasting under the sun.
The sun is about to come down over the sea, and the three metropirates head toward the town, to buy some supplies to bring on the boat. Tonight, we will have dinner, lulled by the waves. The schedule includes Claudia’s guitar songs, dating back to her high school times, with her enchanting mermaid voice. Let’s hope she won’t lead us astray!
