June 3, 2025
This morning’s ride was the most challenging we’ll encounter, with long climbs (and long slides) in the hills of Dugi Otok, which translates as “Long Island”. In some narrow parts of the island we could see one side one minute, and the other side the next.
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| High above the villages. What I really want is to be down there, in them. |
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| Carol and I went renegade and stopped for photos. Note fish farm in the distance. |
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| My left foot?! |
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| A couple of kilometres later, we got a photo stop after all. The Canadian 8, Gill being an honorary Canadian |
My bike — what a machine! My e-bike at home has nothing like the power of this one, even though it have exactly the same Bosch system. My bike at home has five gears apart from the power assist, and none of them are low enough for Pender Island hills. The bike here has nine gears, and performs so much better than mine. I’m not exactly getting a huge workout as I sail up hills with very little effort. Yes, I know I could choose lower power, but I don’t. It’s about finding the balance between getting some exercise and wearing myself out. I’m loving it. And I’m probably getting spoiled.
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| My beautiful bike, #136 |
After our daily mega-lunch, we sailed a bit to a cove for the chance to swim. Today I decided it was time; I needed to do it at least once. It was windy and choppy, not the best day, but I did it! And I did not take 45 minutes to lower myself down the ladder from the ship. But I did come back out of the water in 45 seconds. Others like to hang out in cold water. Nope, that's not for me!
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| Pain! |
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| More pain! (But at least I have proof that I did it!) |
We arrived in Zadar in the early afternoon. There was a walking tour arranged for all of us for later, but I had printed out a tour, and Carol, Bettyanne, Jane, and I opted to follow that instead. First stop, gelato, naturally. One day I'll remember to take a picture of our gelati!
Zadar is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Neolithic period. Evident still are the occupations by the Romans, beginning in the 2nd Century BCE, and the Venetians, in the 15th Century.
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| The one intact pillar from the Roman forum |
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| I think this perspective might become a theme |
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| Five Wells Square. These wells provided water to the city during a 16th Century Ottoman Empire siege. |
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| Fosa Harbour, next to the Land Gate. Note Venetian winged lion over the gate. From here, we walked along that path beside the wall |
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| Looking back at Fosa Harbour |
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| Remains of the Roman forum, with Church of St Donatus |
The highlight of our walk was the renowned Sea Organ, an art installation that looks like simple, marble steps at water’s edge, but has openings to the waves that push air through pipes under the stones, creating a haunting music. The tonality is based on the traditional Croatian a capella singing called Klappa. (No, sadly, I haven’t heard any Klappa, and it seems I probably won’t have the opportunity.)
Carol's recording of the Sea Organ (mine were awful)
As it was getting dark, we made our way to the Monument to the Sun, another installation right next to the Sea Organ. This is a 22-meter diameter circle consisting of glass panels embedded with photovoltaic cells that light up in a multicoloured display after dark. This would have been another mystical experience but for dozens of kids running amok all over the thing. Now, I do love to see kids having a blast, but surely they go to bed sometime?! We stood there quite a while, watching the lights and the kids, before packing it in for the day.
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| Monument to the Sun |
Today's kitty
And a bonus critter, seagull with pizza:
1 comment:
The sea organ is amazing!
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