What a pine buzz! Leaving behind New England forests and the woods near our home in NW New Jersey (OK, ten years ago), this island's scent was peek pine forest nostalgia ... and beyond. Never had the essence of fresh pine growth and the release from the crush of rusty bits of pine needles under our feet brought such an exotic, yet familiar feeling. Mljet is home to a wonderful National Park system that attracts mountain bikers, hikers, kayakers and other holiday-goers looking for a simple, rustic and really good smelling place for a vacation.

We spent three nights in the Polace anchorage in the northeast end of Mljet. A trip to the 12th century monastery was part of our first day's adventure and was included in the 90 kuna pp park fee for any # of days you wanted to stay. A visit to the ancient Benedictine site, a chapel full of prayers and wishes and, up a wee hill to nearby Roman ruins, was followed by a hike through the intensely scented woods on a path marked "Svarcski Put".

A few of the photos in "the gallery" hardly begin to describe Sunday morning's hike. The views from Montopuc - the tallest peak on the island - were breathtaking. We could see Sangaris moored to the east and Vis island some 20 miles to the west. On a clear day one can even see all the way across the Adriatic to Italy. But the best part was the dense Alepo Pine forests that surrounded us for miles on all sides - truly a throwback to the days of the ancients when the entire Mediterranean was lushly forested.

Back in Polace town they were geared up for Sunday evening guests as the finals of the World Cup Soccer match started at 8pm. It was the Netherlands vs. Spain and, from our seats surrounded by Croatian fans and Spanish sailboat charterers, the 1-0 finish, just before "penalties", prompted festive red & yellow flag waving ... and another order of Prosek.