One of our few schedules we needed to keep was to be at Hvar the first couple of days of July to meet one of Pat’s cousins and family.  Tim, Suzanne, Alexandra and her college roommate were on vacation in Europe and were in Hvar for a couple of days.  So we were able to get together and spend part of two days sightseeing and taking the boat out for a sail and swim at anchor.

It was a great time together and enjoy the great weather with friends.  Getting out on the boat takes a bit of beuacracy since we are a non-croatian flagged vessel and Croatia has strict rules against charter boats not being Croatian flagged.  So off to the harbormaster in the morning with passports in hand.  Fill out a few forms to amend my cruising permit to have four additional crew/passengers.  It took some time but it all worked out.  We were able to go out for a mild sail which is perfect for those not used to sailing or boats.  Very calm water, blue sky and 5 knots of wind makes a relaxing trip.  The anchorage I chose turned out to be a good selection.  Anchored in 13 meters of water and a short swim to the shore for snorkeling.  Of course the 21 degree water (70 F) was very refreshing with the hot sun.  One of the high points was seeing an octopus while snorkeling amongst the rocks.  Now I was not there but I heard that a few of the swimmers were a bit surprised and had to re-adjust their mask and snorkel after the first sighting.

Lunch was well served by Pat, more than enough for everyone and the bees/wasps that descended we quite happy with the spread.

Our sail back was also calm and gave some time for a few to sit on the bow pulpit or take a very nice nap on the stern deck (even stayed onboard when we tacked and heeled the boat the opposite direction).

So a good time for all and too short a visit.

Tim, Bruce, Suzanne and Pat on steps in Hvar

View of Hvar harbor from the Citadell.  Always climbing steps it seems.

The anchorage we enjoyed the day.  This was actually taken a day later when we returned to stay a few nights at anchor.