We start to get used to beautiful mornings. There are no words to describe the tranquility at 7 am. It is just utter peace. We have coffee on the back deck, help the crew getting the boat into Tevet commercial port where we clear custom, plot on the charts today's course - we want to go to Ragusa - the Venetian-Dalmatico name for Dubrovnik. By 7.45 am we left Tivat port. It was the most efficient process ever. Within just five minutes we had our passports stamped and were on the way to Croatia.
. Hoisting the Croatian Flag once on the open sea
Fort Ostra, part of the Austrian Mamula fortifications - now part of Croatia and fought over in a vicious battle with Serbian forced during the civil war in 1992
Entering the natural harbour of Cavtat - no wonder Greek colonist set up Epidavros here
Sailing to Cavtat, the immigration port to Croatia, took a good two hours. Cavtat is the old Greek colony of Epidavros going back to the 6th century BC. When times became too dangerous in the 8th century AD most of its citizens moved to the easier defendable rock further north which then became Ragusa or Dubrovnik. The Venetians called Cavtat always old Ragusa. Today it is a sea side resort and the entry port for vessels coming from Kotor.
Anchoring in Cavtat or Epidavros
Immigration was speedy againl. Within 15 min we cleared customs and were allowed to go off board and pay the little town a visit. The captain took the Dragonfly around to the small bay at the back of Cavtat. We walked to it - at times through the gardens of the locals!
Walking through the narrow streets of old Cavtat to the Dragonfly Once we saw the boat a few of us could not resist temptation and swam over. It was very refreshing. Soon after we left and started the last leg of our journey to Dubrovnik.
Captain Mustafa brought the Dragonfly to the back of Cavtat
And here we are eight days after leaving Butrint opposite Corfu! In one week we sailed through four countries, raised three flags, visited eight ancient sites and sailed 230 miles! It was here where the Mongol offensive in Europe came to an end. The mighty walls of Ragusa could not be breached by Batu Khan in 1241 (see blog C - 3)
View on the old of Dubrovnik on our way to Zaton a few miles to the west - Dubrovnik's harbour was full and did not have enough space for the Dragonfly
Street live in Dubrovnik at 8 pm - everybody is still out in the streets
Tonight we are going to have dinner with the new group of sailors who join us for the 2nd week. Let’s see whether Porto, a famous fish restaurant in old Dubrovnik, can match the skills of Sertan, our chef on board of Dragonfly