Setting sail on the Adriatic

Despite its popularity among tourists and crowded beaches, Split, Croatia is a must see as you can’t help but feel inspired with one look out over the crystal clear blue waters of the Adriatic. During our stay in Split, we decided to take a boat tour that would drop us off at a few islands for some swimming, as well as a fish picnic, prepared on the BBQ and served on long tables for everyone to enjoy a fresh catch from nearby waters.

Pre-trip

We arrived early at the harbor so that we could get a cappuccino. Sipping on a shot of caffeine from a park bench beneath a palm tree, we admired the large ships and yachts gliding effortlessly over calm waters. The few hours of peace we managed to catch before the tourist bustle began for the day was our first hint that this day was going to be one of the more memorable days of our exchange.

The call finally came from our captain that we would be departing shortly. The boarding of the ship was an experience in itself as three boats had been anchored to one another, forming a passage that we would have to cross through in order to reach our seats.

The Fish Picnic

After getting settled in, I put my head down to catch a few Z’s, letting the breeze pick up the pieces of hair escaping my haphazard pony tail. With only 45 mins for swimming before lunch at our first destination, we scurried off the boat and waded into the cold but pristine sea. Eventually, I worked up the nerve to submerge my entire body, accepting the pain I was about to endure as my body acclimatized to the temperature of the water.

My friend and I swam as far away as possible from the water’s edge until the noise of children playing and human chatter were replaced by the sound of our shallow breathing.

Just as I turned my head up to the sun to soak in its warming rays, I heard a yelp of pain behind me. I turned back to see an expression of terror cross my friends face as her foot struck the spike of a sea urchin planted in the sea bed below. We immediately we swam back to assess the damage that had been done. In observing three tiny black slivers firmly implanted in her feet, we realized they were just not coming out unless we had a sharp tool to dig them out.

I ran to find the captain who led me to the boat to see what he could find. Sounds of rummaging around and a few crashing noises later, he emerged with some bandages. I reiterated to him that I needed a tweezer or some sort of sharp object in order to remove this tiny spear of darkness planted in my friend’s foot. He turned to a nearby shelf and plucked a rusty old sewing needle off of it. I tried to hide my disgust as he triumphantly plopped it in my hand. I thanked him and turned to leave, going over the items I had in my bag to see if any of them were capable of getting this thing out without infecting my friend in the process.

As I pondered this question, I heard the captain’s heavy accented bellow behind me, summoning me back. Hoping he had located some sort of legitimate first aid tool, he instead held out an unmarked bottle containing a clear liquid. He then proceeded to douse the needle over the side of the boat with it, proclaiming it to now be sanitized and ok to use. Feeling no more comforted about its cleanliness than before, I returned to my friend explaining the situation. We decided to just leave the slivers in, hoping it would somehow manage to work itself out.

The fish picnic was a welcome distraction from the pain. We sat down, eager to dig into the full fish, still sizzling from the heat of the BBQ and it did not disappoint. Bursting with flavour and juiciness, it was one of the best meals I had had in a while after weeks of eating a random collection of items from grocery stores.

Once lunch was finished and everyone left, we stayed, shovelling the remaining salad from the bowl into our mouths, determined to make the most of a real meal.

The Blue Lagoon

Back on the boat, with fully belly’s and an unexpected injection in one of our bodies, we eagerly awaited the adventure that the next stop would surely bring; the Blue Lagoon. Expecting to stop at another dock, we instead anchored in the middle of open and transparent waters. Then came the heavy accented bellow of our captain “If you want to swim, you swim. ” Somewhat confused, four consecutive splashes erupted from above as people on our boat made the roof into a diving board. With no option to ease ourselves in, we jumped off into the transparent waters making for a refreshing shock to the system.

The Island of Solta

In what felt like no time at all, it was time to leave again, this time for a typical Dalmatian town on the Island of Solta. Upon our arrival, we were welcomed by the beauty of the harbour and a series of orange roof topped houses and cafes lining the promenade. The saltiness of the sea left us dry mouthed and looking for a refreshing, fizzy drink. Sitting on the beach with a Coca-Cola in hand, we were awakened from this bliss by the sound of a horn calling us back to the boat.

The ride back

Solta marked out last stop on this sea faring adventure. However, the best part of the trip awaited us on the front of the boat where we sat together, on the journey back letting the sun and breeze dry our hair and the waves wash over us.