Polace / Croatia, Monday, 10/ 03
We would have loved to explore Polace but there was a long way to go today. Todd and Louise were already one day behind their original planning. We would have to reach at least Dubrovnik at Marina Komolac or better Cavtat.
Southern area return Polace to Bar
It was "clear by anchor" at 7:00.
Anchorman Todd
We found SE at 8 kn., increasing in the "jet" of "Mljetski Kanal". This was "Yugo", along with "Ostro" and the rare "Lebic" local variants of the Mediterranean "Scirocco", warm southern winds originating in Africa's Sahara desert. Yugo inevitably brings humidity, fog and rain and builds sizable surf as it covers a large area of sea before reaching the Croatian shores while Bora produces much smaller, choppy waves. Yugo is more predictable though and once the system of rain that accompanies him has passed, so has the Yugo.
We were now tacking against the southern Yugo where we had been tacking against the northern Maestral in the beginning of our journey but since you have become insiders you know by now: there is either no wind on the Adriatic or it comes from the wrong direction...
Wind increased well above 20 kn., still SE we reefed the main once "Nepomuk-weather". Near Dubrovnik the cruise-ship "Millennium" was on her way to sea. We were close hauled on a starboard tack she came from our port side and needed room. I would have gladly tacked and called to find out her intentions. The officer in charge declined the offer, moved to starboard and passed our stern. Oftentimes big ships do not take us seriously, much less care about our right of way; I was impressed.
Millennium
We arrived at Cavtat at 18:15; Todd captured our approach and final berth in front of the promenade.
In the evening we celebrated the safe arrival with a delicious dinner at restaurant "Leut".
http://www.kroatien-ferien.com/english/staedteverzeichnis/cavtat/cavtat_res_01.htm;
Todd and Louise disembarked here; tomorrow I would return to Montenegro.
Total: 65 nm (sail: 60, motor: 5)
next: Part 10 Cavat to Bar & voyage end