2019-09-19 Vela Stupica, Zirje Island to Vrulji, Kornati Island, Croatia
This morning with overcast conditions we prepare to depart Vela Stupica and head towards the Kornati Islands Konoba Stupica where we dined the previous eveningHeading in a north westerly direction we can see in the distance the outline of some of the numerous islands (in total 109 small and large) that make up the Kornati group We approach one of our favourite islands called Otok Vela SmokvicaWe enter the familiar bay which we have visited several times in the pastKonoba Piccolo, the restaurant which we have enjoyed many times on Smokvica is still operating in the heart of the bayThe other restaurant called Konoba Smokvica appears to have been modernised since our last visitWe decide to continue on as it was far too early for lunch and there were a lot of the Kornati Islands still to see!!Most of the terrain in the Kornati Islands is karst-limestone which in the distant past arose from the sediment in the sea. There is very little vegetation on the islands as over the centuries there has been major deforestation with subsequent erosion and overgrazing of sheep and goatsThe tiny fishing villages in the small bays nowadays depend mostly on tourism. The bays have family restaurants which are popular with visitors arriving by boatThe scenery in the Kornati Islands is extraordinary with the barren hills almost resembling the lunar surfaceWe find a delightful spot where we enjoy a pleasant lunch aboardAccompanied by a delightful wineOld drystone walls which designates the boundaries for the landowners can be seen all over the islands of CroatiaAfter lunch we continue our trip through the Kornati Islands which go for a length of 35 kms and are the densest archipelago in the Mediterranean SeaWe decide to call into Vrulji, a small fishing village on the southern side of the large main island of KornatA new addition to the bay since our last visit!!After anchoring in the bay we decide to go ashoreThe township is very popular with sailing and cruising boats which can tie up to one of the piers or pick up one of the moorings in the bayThe tiny village is very quaint with stone houses and red tiled roofsWe enjoy a drink in one of the restaurantsReturning to the boatAnother spectacular Croatian sunsetWe dine aboard tonight with John being our Chef with the assistance of MaryA wonderful dinner of roast lamb with vegetables is served …… absolutely delicious
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