Up until now Croatia has definitely been everything and more than we expected. We decided to island hop for a few days before returning to Split and the nearest island to Split is Bol which is famous for its clear water and the beach called Zlatni Rat (Zlatni means gold). We arrived via ferry and were picked up and taken to our apartment by someone that spoke no English which we are okay with. The host that owned the apartment we stayed at was an older Croatian women that knew two words in English, Sit and Drink. We were exhausted and just wanted to check into our room but she insisted we drink her homemade liquor (we gathered it was made out of sunshine and coffee) and she also made us a homemade pie which I was pretty impressed with given the selection at the grocery store. Bol is a very quiet island and the walk from old town to the beach is 3 kilometer stretch on a cobblestone street along the water. This picture below is along the walk and we are on a cliff about 20 meters above the water but you can see how clear it is.
You only live once which we had to take a picture of this because that is what we decided when we began this adventure nearly 10 months ago.
This is also along the path the Zlatni Rat and you can see it in the distance between the trees. The beach formed a triangle that is 400 meters long from end to end and stretches out into the water.
More clear blue water.
Our first night in town we found this cool little restaurant that had bar tables facing over the water. We shared a pizza and a liter of wine. One of the best things about Croatia is that wine is served by the liter instead of .75 liters. Also most of the wine is locally grown on the islands.
Fish under a boat at night, a bunch of little kids had fishing nets and were trying to catch them.
A view of the old town at night. The old town consists of just two streets more or less and is very easy to maneuver.
They do have a wine tasting restaurant that looks like it is housed in an old church or castle of some sort and we decided to check it out and the wine did not disappoint. It was some of the best wine I have ever had.
Here is a closer up picture of Zlatni Rat from the Nudist beach side.
Drew in the water. Depending on what side of the peninsula you are on the water temperature and tides can be different and the peninsula's shape is constantly changing.
One of the nights we decided to go on a stroll along the coast in the opposite direction from the town and we ran into a nice little locals beach with a church that overlook it.
When leaving Bol we took a ferry to Hvar and on the way out we were able to get this picture of Zlatni Rat right at the point where you can see both sides. Apparently going early in the morning is ideal so you do not have to share the beach with 10 thousand other tourists.
If Bol is peaceful and quiet then Hvar is the exact opposite. It is known as the wildest island in Croatia and there are tons of huge yachts docked in the harbor at all times. They are proud that a lot of celebrities enjoy their vacations there and like to be held in the same breath with party islands such as Mykonos and Ibiza. Below is the center square and just like Split and most other Croatian cities used the same white stone and orange/red roof motif.
Walking through the streets above the main square.
This is on the clothes optional beach. The tide at this beach changed and flooded our layout spot so we were forced to leave.
Our boat ride back from the Archipelagos showing the entire Hvar Town with the castle above. The best beaches in Hvar are on the five archipelagos that Hvar overlooks and you have to take water taxis to get to them.
Nudists welcome but never nudists worth seeing.
The entire time we were in Croatia they had Yacht week going on which the best I can describe it is a college graduation trip for rich kids that want to island hop. We stumbled upon it a few times and people rent out sailing ships and a captain and just party for a week and then they move onto a new location and do it all over again.
This picture is actually me back in Bol but was misplaced while uploading.
Here is a picture of the girls we met in Hvar from Canada. It's always fun meeting people abroad. We went out with them a couple nights and had some great times and laughs.
The islands were a nice break from Split but we are now heading back to Split to meet up with my parents and enjoy some other parts of Croatia we haven't seen yet as well as introduce them to this beautiful little country.
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