Into the Islands

Our first port of call after leaving our refuge, Zaton in the Dubrovnik area was Ston. Ston is an old walled city up a long canal. In the 12th century, its salt production accounted for a third of the income of the Republic of Dubrovnik. To protect this valuable commodity, they walled the town, fortified the salt works and eventually built a wall across the peninsula from Velika Ston to Mali Ston.

Pavlov on the dock in Ston

Main street in Ston

View of Ston village from the walls

View of the town and ajoining salt works

We met up with Mady and Tony from Ripple Effect in Ston. After a wander across the peninsula, Tony and I decided to walk back along the city walls. Its the first real outing I've taken my newly reconstructed ankle on, and it held up okay.

Mady and Tony at Mali Ston

First steps along the city wall

Its quite a hike along this wall!

Tony say's 'Its all downhill from here!'

Decent into Veliki Ston

After detouring through Slano, we had a lunch stop at Luka Sipan, a sheltered bay in the third of the Elaphine Islands.

Pav on the dock at Luka Sipan, Megan in sun armour.

Sipan warehouse

Delightful port of Sipan

Local colours

Shaded dock-side park

Town, palm and sea.

After a delightful stroll around the harbour of Luka Sipan, we decided to head out to Mljet, a much larger island further off the southern Adriatic coast. Our first port of call was Saplunara on the southern end of the island.

The solitary cafe at Saplunara

Pav out at anchor

No shops or schools, just one solitary cafe!

Preparing for the summer season

After two peaceful nights on the hook in the sheltered inlet of Saplunara, we headed up the coast of Mljet to Prozura. This was another absolute grockle free zone, and we anchored out in complete comfort and security.

Cute cottage on an islet just off Prozura

Secluded anchorage at Prozura

We are really enjoying Mljet. The water is crystal clear, there is not the crowds of tourists and day-trippers. The bird life is abundent and you can see all the fish swimming, even down to 10m.  The northern end of the island is a national park and is a very special place. Its so spectacular that it deserves a blog all on its own. So we'll see you next in Polace!