| Mcgiver17. 11. 2019 20:07:55 |
It's true that some time has passed since the trip around Cres, but it still seems relevant to me. Every year I go on a four-day trip around the Adriatic (if time allows, twice, spring and autumn). Usually with a colleague, and we've even gone as three. This year the colleague had no time, so I went alone. Traveling alone by sea requires a slightly different approach than if you have at least moral support or help from a paddling partner. I didn't plan to cross between islands alone, so the only alternative was to paddle around one island. What would be suitable...? When browsing the web, I was glad for Jure23's trip report (on Morjeplovec), who nicely described a vacation with his girlfriend back in 2011 (paddling around Cres). Decision made, I'll go around Cres. Cres is close, drive short. Little preparation, map check, where to land from kayak (I use Prijon boat Seayak) only possible in shallows without rocks. Cres is therefore very suitable, unlike Kornati.
I make an approximate travel plan. I decide on seven days of relaxed paddling, which should suffice if head, body and weather cooperate. When the colleague realizes I'm really going (he didn't believe for a long time I'd go alone), he decides to join me in four days. OK fine, just had to replan the trip. Decided to start Monday morning, park in Osor and head south, arrive in Porozina in four days, where we meet Friday morning, he parks the car and in the next three days we paddle to Osor.
Monday 16 September morning start, still lots going on in Brestova. Catch first ferry. Drive to Osor without issues. Park about 30m from shore, carry all gear and boat to shore and start packing. Swimmers wonder where I'll fit all that stuff, but after an hour everything's in place. Push off at two.
(Picture1) First day paddle to Punta Križe, all excited I forget September darkens quickly and in dusk look for spot and pitch tent. Morning (Tuesday) wonderful, warm, sea calm and off at 6am. For snack stop in nice bay, of course no one around and enjoy warm sun for an hour and a half. (Picture2) Afternoon still nice sunny weather calm sea continue till evening. Find suitable spot and pitch tent well before dark. Nice quiet bay, but just meters from shore real dump. (Picture3) (Picture4)
Third morning start paddling early too. Sea calm and wonder how long luck lasts, as I'm not used to such calm. And indeed not long, just an hour, then wind starts and waves build. Forecast light bora, but blowing strong. Hour and half struggle, then too dangerous. Just enough to reach nice bay with even nicer beach (Tarej) and since bora strengthening decide to end for day. (Picture5) (Picture6) Evening forecast moderate rain, so no better tent spot. Since wild boars on Cres, sleeping up high seemed very suitable  (Picture7)
No rain came, not a drop. But Thursday still strong wind, waves about a meter. In such conditions alone no intention to continue. (if two, maybe) Clear couldn't reach Porozina in one day. So where will colleague pick me Friday?? Feet on ground and walk to Merag to check if can land somewhere. After almost whole day sitting (good I had reading) longer walk welcome. Confirmed landing spots, good coffee, asked bar to charge phone and spare battery, back to camp. All gear in place as left, no living soul... Afternoon sitting and reading in shelter, sun nicely warms. Friday up at 6, pack tent, load and off at 7. Still windy but waves friendlier and in hour half in Merag village. Companion waiting, unpack gear, load boat and drive to Porozina where planned to leave car.
When colleague sees crashing waves, his reaction: "Well it could go, we've paddled in such before, but I came to enjoy not suffer. Let's go from Cres! You anyway won't make it around in one piece, so same."
Fine by me, main thing back on water.
Park in Cres, load gear again and in good hour off to Valun for coffee and on to Lubenice where overnight. (Picture8) (Picture9) Saturday morning relaxed start, no rush, soon realize he really came to enjoy 
Till lunch somehow ok, after beer and lunch in Martinščica sun did its and afternoon ended paddling. Osor not far anyway. (Picture10)
Sunday paddled less than two hours to Osor (Picture11) where car faithfully waited, loaded gear, coffee and drove to Cres for other car then home.
On way home wondering:
Where next spring? First finish those three missing days from Merag to Cres!!! 
23 October 2019, sun, check forecast sun till Sunday, flat calm, no wind 26°C......won't wait till next year 
24 and 25 October vacation! Little food, pack and 24.10 morning to sea again alone. Krk, Valbiska and ferry to Merag. Still many vacationers but ferry far from full. (Picture12) By noon on water. Today to north end of Cres, first Beli area. (Picture13) (Picture14) Evening goal reached. Pitch tent, much colder than month ago, day much shorter too.
(Picture15) Slept surprisingly well. Rested off before six to Porozina. Hope open for coffee. Yes. Meet two nice Styrians going to Lošinj and chat of course. After hour off. (Picture16) Day couldn't be nicer, sun, peace, blue, no wind, simply enjoy whole way, nice beaches one after another. Plan to reach Sveti Blaž bay by evening which all praise. True, no wonder. (Picture17) (Picture18) Even better live. Last day just two hours to Cres, warm as summer. (Picture19) Done. By 10 coffee and croissant in Cres. Circle around Cres closed. Still to car.  Borrowed bike from agency to Merag for car, back to Cres, return bike, load boat and ferry in Porozina. (Picture20)
Nice experience. Maybe some data useful to someone, as Jure23's was to me. Paddling about 190 km, nice because all flat.
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
| (+8) |  | |
|
|