SEVEN ISLANDS, CROATIA // JUNE 2023
- TRAVEL DIARY -
When we received the invite from our friends who were brave enough to plan this adventure, we did not hesitate to jump on board.
The offer seemed too good to be true. The photos of Croatia looked unbelievable; the images more beautiful than I could grasp. The water and sky radiant in crystal blue. Seven days. Seven Islands. Everything would be planned and taken care of for us to enjoy.I could hardly get my head around what we signed up for or what was to come. My expectations were exceeded.
After spending a few days exploring the area and overcoming jet lag, we disembarked from Dubrovnik. With Split as our final destination, we slowly moved between a chain of remarkable and diverse islands along the way. Sipanska Luka. Miljet. Kortula. Lostovo, Vis. Hvar, Stari Grad, Pucisca, Trogir. Each stop rich with personal story and history.
I will always treasure this trip and the people who made it possible.
(L, R, S, M, R, D, B, L, B, B, P, K, G, K, E, J)
TRIP DETAILS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE
I should have known that I was made for water. Girl, born in July. I used to go to the beach a lot when I was a baby. Wave after wave. Chasing the waterline, playing tag with the tide. Afraid of the deep-end. All aboard, I loved the way the boat rocked me. I loved the rockija. I loved the motoring. I did not sit long enough in the soak. I did not climb on a wheel. But, I loved the listening. And the early bedtime.
And the new friends. Aren’t new friends a lot like childhood? The way you are always social when young, inevitably meeting new people because you don’t really know anyone, new room number, finding your way to connection, before the elevator pitch. Hi, who are you? Is this seat taken? Are you feeling shy?
Geography of our group/trip included: New York, California, Oregon. Maryland. Island one. Island two. While out to sea, I cried for the beauty every place we went. Sipanska Luka. Miljet. Kortula. Lostovo, Vis. Hvar, Stari Grad, Pucisca, Trogir… Split
In Kortula, when the guide spoke of the people, she mentioned their trust issues and how they were protective of their salt. And, hearing this, I thought, me too, me too. When she spoke of seven towers, and of walls built tall, then taken half down in an effort to build something new, new steps… I thought again me too. We heard about streets paved with the direction of the wind in mind. We heard of kitchens built up high to afford an extra hour of light, and I thought we should take notes. More light. I want to eat more, and get a better sense of the breeze. I will skip breakfast.
On one island we were greeted by nakedness. Tops and bottoms. Shattered glass, painted tile, doors of time, where war seems both remembered and forgotten. And, isn’t that how it is? I thought, I have known war, but it wasn’t like this. And, while thinking this I was standing in an abandoned hospital.
On some islands we were greeted by such beauty that it made me realize certain places where my vocabulary is broad, and certain areas where I’d like my vocabulary to grow.
In several places we were told about open books. The open book means peace. The open book means peace. It was said at the beginning and the end. Both the perfect place to leave it.
For those who don’t get sick at sea, they might just wobble once back to shore. In stillness, I am getting used to the way solid ground rocks me.
