1 May 2023 - Luka Polace, Mljet

We knew that there is some bad weather in the forecast for the evening but the day started with glassy seas again.  This was useful as we were able to see the seabed, and were thus able to reassure ourselves that there was something substantial that our mooring buoy was attached to.  The block of concrete on the seabed was so large that we then debated just what sort of vessel they would have needed to put it there.  My guess is that it weighs nearly as much as the boat does. When we arrived Polo told us that the buoy that we were on had recently had all of its gear checked, and so we feel quite secure, whatever the weather throws at us later. While this was happening, Polo came past in his fishing boat, and we discussed his catch today, told him how much we had enjoyed our meal yesterday, and returned his pans.

We first came to Mljet, more than 15 years ago, when we were on a flotilla holiday that started at the southern end of the island. We were aware of the National Park here, based around two lakes at the northern end of the island, close to where we are moored and had wanted to visit it ever since. Today was the day.  We rowed ashore and then walked about 2km up an ancient path over the hill and then down to the lakes. En route we saw notices telling us that wild orchids grew in the area, and that April and May were the prime months to see them. We bought our entry tickets to the Park, and were told that these included a boat trip to the island of Santa Maria, in the larger of the salt water lakes. It had previously been a Bendictine Monastery.   This was our first stop, and we managed to walk around the whole island. The Monastery was originally built in the 12th century, and has had a number of changes made over the years, including the addition of defensive towers and walls to protect against pirates and other bandits. The Benedictines are renown for building in beautiful places, where the monks could live and work in tranquillity. There is still a gloriously simple chapel within the buildings, although the rest has been through a number of different uses in recent times, including as a hotel for a period.  Work is underway to restore it as a hotel.

The former monastery of Santa Maria


The chapel was gloriously simple and unpretentious

Wild Orchids

Views as we walked round the "small" lake


You can just make out the bridge over the waterway connecting the two lakes

A solar powered electric boat then took us to the bridge joining the two lakes and we walked right around the smaller lake, before returning over the hill to Equinox for a very late lunch.

Miles today           0

Miles in 2023     347

Steve (& Tricia)

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