Tuesday, June 17, 2014

We had a great visit with Marlin Sangulin, the OCC Port Officer for Croatia and owner of Kornati Marina in Biograd na Moru. He’s an astute businessman and very knowledgeable observer of the world. He spent a lot of time in Vancouver, British Columbia where he did a lot of racing but now that he is back in Croatia in the marine business, he doesn’t have much time for sailing.

We talked about much more than boat yards for Canty. He clarified many of our observations about Montenegro, Albania and Croatia, giving us a deeper understanding of the history of these countries.

We walked in the old city of Biograd na Moru and then got underway moving northwards along the mainland coast. Paul checked out yard services at Dalmacija Marina when we stopped there for fuel.

The trip to Zadar was about 15 miles primarily under power. Marlin had recommended that we explore the old town. At the gate entrance, we bought an audio guide walking tour. It was terrific. We timed it perfectly—luck—and reached the “Sea Organ” and “Greeting of the Sun” on the lovely promenade along the water before sunset. It was a spectacular evening—lots of people gathered here to watch the sunset.

The Sea Organ is a new addition to Zadar—after 2000. It is set within perforated stone stairs that descend into the sea and whistles & sighs as the movement of the water pushes air thru it. Very unique! Right next to this is another creation of the same local architect, Nikola Bašić, the Greeting of the Sun. It is a 22 meter-wide circle cut into the pavement filled with 300 multilayered glass plates that act as solar panels. Spreading out from this circle are other markers showing the position and comparative size of planets in the solar system.

Our walk in this lively town of 75,000 (the old town is not this large) ended with a wonderful dinner at Bruscetta’s. celebrating birthdays again! It is not hard turning 70!

Photo: The “Five Wells” Square in Zadar’s old town. Wells like this were the source of water for Zadar’s residents before 1820.