CYCLING CROATIA - Phil & Jill

Early morning start to ensure bags out at 7.05am before breakfast so the guys could get all the luggage and bikes on the first ferry to Hvar. We were to follow on the 8.30am ferry so we needed to leave at 8.10am.

It was a pleasant two hour ferry ride to Stargrad. We all assembled in one of the lounges for our formal briefing for the cycle for the day. The good news was it was not as hard as yesterday. It was a 30 mile loop around the northern part of the island of Hvar.

We commenced the ride through a delightful seafront promenade. These coastal villages in Croatia are all consistently beautiful with their white limestone buildings and red roofs. The promenades although full of tourists are also working fishing ports.

20190912_092031

It didn't take long and we were out on the main road. Fortunately not too many cars.

We continued until the village of Vrbanj where we hit our first hill of the day but not as steep as yesterday. The way around here was rocky soil, low scrub and no urbanisation. After a glorious downhill run we came to another substantial seaside town of Jelsa. Our lunch stop was right in the sea front at an authentically stone furnished restaurants on the terrace area.

20190912_131739

Another delicious meal.

20190912_123305

20190912_131551

Another easy afternoon of coastal views ride saw us back in Stari Grad and book into the sumptious Riva Yacht Harbour Hotel. This was resort living. A huge hotel with its Cascades swimming pool and access to a private beach. I met up with Jane and Chuck on their way to the beach. As the beach was full of peebles and the water was very cold, I opted for the pool with its swim up bar, waterslide, spa jets and deck lounges. My taste of how the other half live.

The beach area -

20190912_163056

20190912_163052

20190912_224218

The hotel's pool area -

20190912_162733

20190912_162745

20190912_163223

20190912_163607

20190912_162658

20190912_162431

20190912_162719

The swim was very refreshing and the spa jets envigorating as the day was hot and sunny. It was a great feeling to have survived the second day of riding with the experience not being so taxing as the day before.

It was a balmy evening with a nearly full moon lighting the sky. A 20 minute walk around the concrete promenade found you in the heart of the 'car free' old town.

20190912_191144

20190912_191130

20190912_191715

20190912_191438

20190912_191056

There were hundreds of boats in the marina and as there was a slight wind, the water was sloppy making it difficult to get out of the rubber duckies and come ashore. These young ladies were so lucky not to go in the water.

20190912_191314

Hvar city (the main town on the island of the same name as the island Hvar) is full of history with its large bell tower and cathedral. The main square is full of activity. It is quite clearly the 'party' city on the 'party' island. We wandered through the narrow lanes until we came to our tavern for dinner.

The lights of the city and the number of larger boats moored in the harbour was beautiful.

20190912_215907

Another full and wonderful day.