Day 3 - Guided tour of Diocletian palace in Split, boarding the ship, first day onboard Walking around ancient cities at odd times of day (night) is proving to be enjoyable, so I'm up at 4am again for another walk around Trogir on our final morning here.
This time I walk around the other side of the harbor and discover a marina full of rows and rows of sailboats, similar or identical to each other. All these are charter boats so when I'm finally up for it, I'll be renting one of these.
The fortress looks cool this time of day, from across the channel.
Then another walk through the old city core. Pix are similar to those from before, but I enjoyed the repeat experience of the empty city so you might enjoy these also. Or just scroll past. The day is just starting.
It is now past 6 am and as I walk through the market the vendors are setting up their stalls. I found this picture-worthy at the butcher shop.
Onward back to the hotel for a breakfast, and 11:30 am departure by private bus to Split.
There are 20 people taking the bus ride (2 are at the airport trying to find their lost luggage, while another couple whos luggage was lost seems to have accepted their fate, for now at least). The large Sprinter van holds 20. It has luggage space in the back, and then another tacked-on luggage appendage behind the rear door. Those fill up completely and there are bags inbetween the seats. I only have a single backpack so I end up holding it in my lap. Luggage, bad. Just say no to it. Or the airline might do that for you. Arriving in Split harbor it becomes more apparent how many of these 'small cruise' ships there are. Rows and rows, rafted as many as 8 deep.
My cabin is below waterline and is very nice, with full ensuite bathroom. Better than at least half of the hotel rooms I've stayed in over the years.
Our boat is the 5th in so it is easier for the crew to load the luggage by dinghy than carry it through the maze of the 4 boats between ours and the dock.
We now have a couple hours for the guided walking tour of the Diocletian palace before we cast off. The guide is knowledgeable and the historical info is fascinating. We don't go into any of the paid sites like the bell tower or the cathedral, so I'm glad I did that yesterday. Partway through the tour some decide to go find food, but I'm more hungry for info than sandwiches so I (and a couple others) complete the whole thing. On the promenade in front of the palace walls is a scale model of the old city. Cool.
Then we board the ship and we're off! The cruise includes unlimited wine which could be hazardous (and proves to be later). But, it's one life. Gotta live it.
There are large cruise ships here too, as well as ferries of all types and sizes that shuttle between the many islands and the mainland.
The large ships look utterly unappealing to me as an experience, but to each their own. And I do appreciate the engineering of them. They are floating cities, with all the systems and facilities cities need to function. In the context of my quest to find better ways, they are interesting. Or at least informative.
The coastline is scenic and there is a fair bit of wind. Many sailboats are out. Looking forward to doing that version of cruising here - hopefully next year.
We dock in a small village of Stomorska. I go for a walk to check it out before the welcome dinner onboard later tonight.
The rug in front of my cabin door is fitting.
We are the fourth ship from the dock. Walking through the maze of other ships to get to shore will be the norm.
The village is quaint and scenic, with a couple restaurants and shops. And some rocky beaches.
Back onboard, the food at dinner is excellent, the wine is good and plentiful, the conversations interesting. Happy and grateful to be in this moment.
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