Monday 6th July Korcula old town

Early start, caught the 7.15 am bus from Lumbarda into Korcula, about 15 minutes of very fast driving, and spent nearly 3 hours looking around the town before the hordes arrived. Beautiful town laid out in a leaf pattern with an avenue of pines ( but not as we know them, they have interesting almost elegant shapes) along the ramparts on the eastern side of the town. Looking through the main gate you can see the marble floor worn and polished by millions of steps over the centuries. There is also a beautiful small cathedral, still in daily use, with an early Tintoretto painting behind the altar. One of Korcula’s claims to fame is that Marco Polo may have been born here, certainly he was captured by the Genoese in a sea battle off Korcula in 1298. Clogs with springs in the heels seem to be the in thing here especially amongst waitresses and women in shops –photo shows very flash version. Had coffee and amazing hot pastry with ricotta, lemon, sultanas and another indefinable ingredient before catching 10 am bus back. Bus fare seemed quite expensive, 15 kuna each one way so return journey of about 7 km for both of us was 60 kuna which is about $NZ20.
Driving is a real experience here-narrow roads, casual pedestrians including mothers pushing babies, cyclists, viticulturist in odd carts and cars, buses and trucks rocketing past with millimetres between them. The locals drive older Renault vans, Fiats, Opel Kadetts, sort of a la Waiheke or Great Barrier Island and then some of the visitors whiz around in late model BMW, Audi, Peugeot, Saabs etc with number plates from Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Poland, Netherlands and all over Europe.
More swimming, sleeping (and snoring) by the pool, Tour de France this evening and then home cooked meal. Still having problems with my phone which still says blocked –help desk tonight says I need the PUK but it’s the one number I don’t have written down so have had to contact Marion in Auckland to see if Anne and Gene can find it.
Mosquito’s a problem tonight (we have both been badly bitten) so have put the air conditioner on and shut the windows.