Stories from today

The water of the Adriatic (the Dalmatian coast of Croatia) is amazing!  So clear and a beautiful blue green color. 

Our daily map included the island and our route.  But our great guide stayed with us the entire ride so we didn't really need the maps.  Nice souvenir.

Just another lovely view of the Adriatic on the bike and boat tour. 

A view from the boat, sailing to another island

Today was an interesting day so I'm going to write a little more than usual. This morning we sailed until about 11:30 and then went to the beach at the island of Brac (sounds like Brach) that I went to before with the hiking group.

The Swiss folks have adopted me since I am single so they were on the bikes ready to ride to the beach and they said Kim you go with us? Of course I said yes. Our communication is very simple. And when they are all chatting with each other I don't understand anything but they smile and try to include me.

When I was here with the Americans we found the changing room on the beach to put on or take off bathing suits. For the Swiss, their towel is there changing room. I was sitting next to Claudia and was surprised when she took off her shorts, then her underwear, and put her bathing suit on the bottom. Then she took off her top and her bra, and pulled up her bathing suit. They all did the same including the men. So when it was time to change out of my wet suit, I did it on my towel just like them. It's easy and who cares? But it did surprise me. 

We rode after lunch, starting at 3:00 because the ride was short, only 15 miles, but started with an 11% grade and continued uphill at average of 7% for 6 miles. I found out the new American couple, Naomi and Jon, are 73 and 74 and Naomi and I ride at the same speed.  I'm slow and she's amazing.

Some stats from Jon's GPS: 

Monday at Vis 20 miles 2200' of climbing
Tuesday at Korcula 34 miles, 3300' of climbing with 2 shorter and 1 very long climb.
Wednesday at Brač, 14.2 miles. 1660' of climb on 1 big hill of 6 miles, then downhill. 

The boat usually docks at one town and then goes around the island to meet us at the place we ride to, then we stay there overnight. Today on Brac we rode over the island and the boat sailed around and encountered big wind!  When I got onboard I went to get some pants I finally washed out and hung on the clothesline on the top deck. They were gone and my swimsuit was wrapped up in knots from the wind. I was surprised when later one of the crew brought my pants!  The captain had rescued our laundry when he encountered the high winds.  The crew is fantastic.