Zadar

Being a local in these waters doesn’t always help. My intended route for sailing in to Zadar included a southern entrance from Blitvenica Lighthouse through the Murter Sea and the Middle Channel with the Islands of Pašman and Ugljan on our starboard side and Kornati Archipelago on our port side. Unfortunately, Croatian Maritime Law dictates/strongly recommends that vessels take the shortest route in and out of the port.

Therefore, we took a northern approach, leaving Kornati on our starboard side and embarked the pilot at Sedmovrache, a route between Dugi Otok (meaning Long Island – not the one from NY) and Molat Island. The sail-in was still picturesque and guests did enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Staff Captain Simon was our designated driver for both arrival and departure. We docked at the new cruise terminal at Gazenica harbour, which is situated just south of the city.

I went ashore for lunch with my cousin. As we finished our lunch I asked the waitress for a takeout of a tray of chevapchichi, a Croatian minced meat delicacy, for the Bridge Team.

Guests went ashore to the Old City, the main street called Kalelarga, the church of St. Donatus and the Sea Organ attraction. An evening before our arrival I took the liberty of translating a song of Kalelarga, written by popular Croatian singer, the late Tomislav Ivchich, which describes the joy of taking an evening stroll, hand in hand with a loved one, through Kalelarga.

Kind Regards
Captain Franko Papić