Greetings fair folk. I do hope you aren't getting sick of the Croatia posts, but writing these posts is putting me back in the sunshine and I do hope, warming you up too! Plus, we visited so many places, I do hope there's something new to interest you. Many, many thanks to you all for your kind comments on my September blues. You are all probably right about the weather and all that. Hugs to thee.
After a full day in Sipan, the day of canoeing and Lamb-under-the-bell mentioned in my last Croati post, we decided to pay a visit to the nearest island of Lopud. It is a mere 25 minutes boat journey away and costs the equivalent of £2.50 return! That's like a single on a London bus!
Lopud is a mere 4.63km square!
Here's the approach to the island. This beautiful and scenic Fransiscan monastery is one of many on these islands.
Approaching the harbour, the view of the protective walls is very beautiful.
Many people like to yacht around the islands so there is always a supply of boats coming and going including those you can hire.
Here is a famous Hotel Lafodia which was opened in 1968. Isn't it huge for such a tiny island!
When we arrived, it immediately struck us how much more was going on on Lopud. All along the harbour were shops and some restaurants and most importantly, an amazing patisserie/Bakery! Sipan is lovely and untouristy but there aren't that many facilities! We purchased Caesar salads, a roll and some delicious-looking chocolate muffins and headed along.
We took a little walk in the Botanical gardens which were very beautiful. It was also great to be in some shade. It was a REALLY hot day but because it had been overcast and a bit chilly when we left Sipan, we didn't entirely prepare for the swelteringness. (not a real word but you know what I mean!)
Wandering around I saw lots of these butterflies which I believe/think are Speckled Woods.
We sat down for a little bit to try and cool down before attempting to move on. There were lots of excellent varieties of plants and interesting cacti.
Finally, we decided that there was more to see, so we left our coolish sanctuary to brave the heat.
There were many flowers and people kept their gardens beautifully. There were some amazing allotments too!
Having obtained a map from the Tourist Office, we decided to take a walk up to the
Sutvrač Fort which is at the top of Lopud.
I confess to being Queen Moan as I climbed up and CBC was a saint to put up with me. I was wearing walking boots and thick socks and really hot synthetic leggings which didn't have flexible-enough ankle-hems enough to roll up really well and I had to keep my cardie on for fear of getting burnt as our suncream ran out on arrival on Lopud and the gradient hiked significantly. On the plus-side, the path was really nice and clear and had stones/slabs to step on so wasn't too scary. I leapt around with my camera trying to photograph some large butterflies but the little swines wouldn't sit still, staying true to their original moniker of Flutterbies.
Eventually, with the arrival of stone walls in eye-line, we knew we were near to the fortress.
reaching the top, we were completely alone! How's that for visiting a historic site and having to pay no admission, being able to run around and amok, completely without being told off and having to share it with smelly tourists!?!?!
The view is excellent from the top, you can see to the main land, to Sipan and its little uninhabited islands near by.
I looked a hot-sweating unsightly mess and this smile is entirely fake! I was so hot!!!
Fooey to health and safety, love CBC climbing over this gaping chasm which would certainly lead to SEARTAIN DEEEEATH should he take a false step!
Inside the fortress the grounds were parched but attractive with olive trees a plenty.
Many piles of rock and ruined walls to explore.
This drop was simply THERE! You could easily pitch to your death.
Yet another big hole to fall into! I wonder what it was originally when the fort was inhabited?
The views down to the harbour were very attractive.
Here is the good-tempered member of the party...
After ambling about a bit, we decided to sit and eat our lunch with our legs swinging over the sheerish drop (there was a sort of little slopy bit with some rocks before the big drop for which I am immensely grateful for what will later become obvious...)
Unfortunately, as we began our salads, the wasps arrived. RIGHT up here, the egregious little sods managed to find us (remember the 'killer wasp' story from Badija?). Luckily for me, they targeted a terrified CBC who ran hysterically around chased by a no-doubt highly amused vespis! It got into his salad which he put down in an angry temper and backed off. I finished off my salad except for a small bit of salad dressing and then managed to get the lid back on CBC's salad as the scout went to find more friends. I hurriedly packed up the food and was just about to get up before the wasp phalanx could mobilize.
And then, my heart almost stopped as I stood up, forgetting my camera was on my lap. It pitched down off the edge!
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...
....
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I screamed as it came to rest on the last bit of rocky slope before the sheer drop!
CBC bravely climbed down the little slope and rescued it.
As we made our way across the olive grove, my heart almost stopped for a second time, but this time for a very happy occurrence!!
A swallowtail butterfly fluttered around us in a very flirtatious manner unlike the other elusive flyers and then rested very prettily on various rocks for several minutes so I could photograph him/her. I was MOST appreciative and told him/her that she/he was the nicest butterfly in all the land despite missing a little bit of his tail.
Finally, we left our pretty friend and took the steep path back down until we reached the path that went to the glorious Sunj beach, a sandy surf beach.
It was much further than it looked though still not too far!
This beautiful beach called
Šunj. was one of our highlights. CBC had never experienced a beach with surf like this before and adored standing in the water trying to jump the massive waves as they arrived. Sadly, we couldn't seem to get any pictures to show this. It looks quite tame, but it was super fun!!! We got knocked off our feet several times!
There were a fair few people here but it was still very spacious.
We decided to aim for a certain boat back to Sipan otherwise it would be a 3 hour wait so we relucantly left this cool haven that had been another sanctuary from the intense heat.
I still had very rosy cheeks. What's your opinion on paying for sun-loungers- do they annoy you at how much space they take up or do you embrace them. I confess to never going near them though I can imagine them being useful.
We had to rush to make our way the km or so back to the harbour-we walked and were passed by these hilarious little tourist shuttles that ran from the beach to the harbour- they looked like golf-carts with room was 6 people to sit with their legs hanging off the sides. We passed a lovely Indian/British couple from Leicester on our way back and had a nice chat to them until we had to rush to ensure we reached the boat (we needn't have worried- it was late!)
Here's the view up to the fort from the harbour.
Whilst awaiting the tardy boat, CBC and I spied this attractive bike and hovered around it whilst eating our ice-cream. Putting walking boots and sock on after having been in the sea and having to change without a towel was NOT pretty so I decided to be a bit risque and wear my tunic with my swimming shorts and reveal my mozzie-bitten legs to the world! Here's my last moment, enjoying an ice-cream! Ice-cream for a mere 8Kn,I love thee!
The boat journey back to Sipan was fairly uneventful as was our last evening on Sipan, where we went to the restaurant next to our accommodation for a final supper.
It was a super day and we would very much like to return to Lopud again.
xxx
