A productive week

Dobrodosli (welcome)! Apologies for the slow first update. It has been a busy week and we’ve only just set up our own regular access to internet. Hope this finds you well wherever you are! 
 

Today we are back to Sibenik (pronounced Shib-e-neck) with another ‘to do’ list of essential tasks taking us a few steps closer to officially setting sail.

The trip here (via Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt) was long and eventful – concluding with an extra bumpy decent and landing into stormy Split airport. With roughly 48 hours from Brisbane bed to Sibenik bed – whilst we were almost falling asleep in our pizzas on the night of arrival – managing to stay up till regular bedtime hours followed by a 10-12 hour snooze fest successfully defeated any jetlag. We are now officially 10 hours behind AEST (Sydney, NSW time) or 8 hours ahead of PDT (Vancouver, BC time). 

Since our arrival on Wednesday and up until Sunday – we’ve had the valued company of the original German boat owners – Herbert and Angelika. They’ve so generously given us their time to hand over and explain the usual functions as well as individual characteristics of this particular Lagoon. It’s obvious to see that she has been an integral part of their family for the past six years since they took delivery of her from the Lagoon factory in France and they’ve taken great care in ensuring her safe onward travel with us. Herbert and Angelika have a solid trust and love for the boat, which is very comforting. Hopefully we’ll meet up with them again in some picturesque Mediterranean bay later this summer once they take possession of their brand new 52’ Lagoon. 

This past week has been productive! The day after arrival dad, Mike and Herbert motored the boat from her berth in Sibenik three hours north to Marina Betina on the island of Murter as it has the only travel lift in the region wide enough to lift a Lagoon catamaran. The boat came out of the water Friday morning and is currently sitting on the hardstand with work now started on anti-fouling, engine maintenance and hull polishing. We are currently based in an apartment in Murter about fifteen minutes walk away from the shipyard. There have been several shopping trips back to Sibenik to stock up on typical household and kitchen supplies and now we are all connected with local Croatian phone numbers and a wireless hotspot providing internet access for up to five laptops at the same time.   

We also must extend a sincere thanks to Andreas (Andy) and Lana who own MARE Yachting in Sibenik, where they have grown their charter business from one boat to twenty-five boats in just three years. They have become close friends with Herbert and Angelika and seem to have adopted us and are providing valuable support and advice.

Sunday was our first free day for exploring. A winding one-hour drive south along the coast took us to the magical town of Trogir (pronounced Troggie) and its ancient fortress that dates back to the fourteenth century. We knew we were arriving to Croatia well ahead of the summer tourist season and despite majority of shops and cafés along the coast still securely closed for at least a few more weeks – we are loving the spacious sunny squares, deserted cobblestone laneways and wide peaceful harbour front strolls. At times it practically feels like we could be the only foreigners about as we mingle amongst the Croats who sit in simple cafes slurping tiny coffees and lighting one cigarette after another as they happily waste the day away.  

Looking ahead this coming week – we’ll be monitoring the boat maintenance; removing the existing signage and replacing with the newly Australian registered boat name “finally my darling”; visiting Raymarine to make some technical adjustments to the VHF radio to comply with AMSA requirements; and shopping for wet weather gear, personal safety harnesses, life jackets etc. We are also on the look out for some folding bicycles and still have some final purchases of essential bedding and supplies for the galley. Then we are all very much looking forward to moving in and sleeping onboard once the boat is back in the water later this week. 
 

So where to from there? Well we are not quite sure yet, but all the options look mighty inviting so watch this space!

First photo below was taken at a hand over dinner with previous owners Herbert (second on left) and Angelika (first on right) and new friends Andy (third on left) and Lana (second on right). Followed by the boat being lifted from the water at Betina Marina, Murter and beautiful scenery from a day trip to Trogir and Primosten. Croatia is certainly photogenic!