Sunday May 17, 2015

Photo: Head of the harbor in Mali Losinj 348. Further out on the left side are two other marinas, and a shipyard. There is a pedestrian only walking area in front of restaurants and bars closer in. On the right side is a road for vehicles that goes up the hill beyond the harbor. Tour boats are along the left side and at the very head of the harbor where there is also a large paved promenade, fountain and area where concerts can be performed.

Before departing Jon and I visited the amphitheater built during the reign of Emperor Claudius & completed about AD80. It is the 6th largest and perhaps best preserved Roman amphitheater in the world. While Paul was waiting for us at the entrance, The Mikkelsen’s of Rockport, Maine were completing their tour. They are vacationing in Croatia and headed to inland parts of Istria.

A church near the Amphitheater had been ringing its bells all morning. Inside the contemporary simplicity of the decorations were lovely. A baby was being baptized.

We departed under power and put up the main as we went out the harbor channel. Outside the old sunken breakwater, we rolled out the jib. The wind was light but as the day went on it filled in nicely and we had a lovely sail on a close reach.

Our planned destination was the island of Losinj where we had lots of choices to anchor or to tie up at a marina. The Pula weather forecast called for 30 - 40 knots from the N or NE but that didn’t seem likely. We proceeded for the marina at the head of Luka Mali Losinj which is a 3-mile long, narrow bay running north to south. Mali Losinj is at the southerly end. This town has a population of about 6,000. Losinj has the largest population of any Croatian island.

The head of the harbor looks a bit like Camden’s inner harbor but wider. Bars, café’s and restaurants line both sides. The month of May is “Antique Cuisine” competition month with various restaurants presenting a special menu with a choice of a fish or meat dish and a glass of wine for 115 kuna. We choose a participating restaurant along the waterfront and had a wonderful meal.

The docks and services at the dock were all very nice. In 2011 ownership was in dispute and the marina was closed. Usually marina overnight fee includes water, power, maybe Internet, and toilets & showers. Here the toilets were extra and a shower was $5. Paul skipped the shower. He skipped a shower in Pula also after Jon came back and told him there was no hot water. ACI is in the process of renovating their shower & toilet facilities. The women use the old men’s facilities and the men are in a trailer outside. I had hot water for my shower.