Plavi Podrum is a restaurant in Volosko, near Opatija known for its outstanding cuisine.
We were pretty hungry so we started with dipping bread into different kinds of olive oil. The bread was totally black as if it was made with squid ink.

The real starter were shrimps with pines on rocket bed , the other was thin sliced mushrooms and tuna fillets also on rocket bed. Merlot sorbet was very interesting and the foam made of Campari juice.

With this we had some Malvazija – dry white wine of Veralda family.
There was risotto with shrimps from Dalmatia and asparagus mixed in for second course. It was accompanied by Sauvignon from Korak vineyard.

Third course was goose liver, soft as butter and ba bass filet and cod in a chunky tortellini which we dipped into a zucchini sauce. With that we enjoyed 2006 Pošip wine from Korta Katarina.

And desert: chocolate mousse with vanilla ice cream and a few drops of olive oil. Odd but tasty combination.

We tried a few sorts of red vine – I remember 2007 Postup from Pelješac peninsula.
It really was a unforgettable culinary experience.

The town of Senj is interesting, because it’s different from other, more touristic towns on Adriatic coast.
We took a trip along the coastal road called Jadranska magistrala and stopped in Senj.
The thing to see in Senj are the fort called Nehaj. It is located on the hilltop overlooking the town and nearby islands. The fort is a museum where history of the town and the fort itself dating back to year 1558 is on display. The tickets cost 7 kuna (which is about 1 €) and up to 20 kuna for adults. The museum is open every day from 10 AM till 6 PM off season and 9 AM till 9 PM during summer.

Whenever I cross the Kvarner I like to stop by Galjola – if the weather allows it. Last few times it didn’t. But these photos show, that it can be a very nice experience. Small island with a lighthouse and pebble beach.

Nautic tips: wach out for shallow waters on SW and NE side – do not go to close, but at the same time, on these spots is where you can drop anchor if you wish.

Island Unije in Kvarner has three nice bays to stay the night with a boat. Maračol used to belong to the Yugoslav army and was closed to general public for a long time.

Now there is an anchorage there with 50 buoys to tie your boat to. Off course they are full during summer and you have to be very early if you want one. The price is 13 hrk/m.

If you’re too late, there are still Podkujni and Vognišca but no buoys. Island Unije is the last island before crossing the Kvarner which can be pretty rough in bad weather. It’s very open and the winds are strong, especially NE wind Bora.

Privlaka Bridge is connecting the Lošinj channel with Port Mali Lošinj. It’s approximately 8 meters wide and around 80 meters long.

At the shallowest point there is about 2,5 m depth and there is strong current of 5 knots in under the bridge, so sailing boats must sail through with almost full power or almost none at all.
You’ll definitely feel which way you’re going.

Bridge clearance is also important information. It’s 2 meters at mid tide. Any higher and you get a convertible.

Opening hours are at 9 AM and at 18 PM. The bridge stays open for 30 minutes.

Lon anchorage near ACI marina Rovinj is a nice spot to drop anchor if you have no desire to pay for a berth and still wish to enjoy the beauties of one of the nicest Istrian towns Rovinj.

It has a huge impact from Venetians and some parts of the town even look like Venice to a degree.

The seabed in Lon is sand with some sea grass so most anchors will hold pretty well there. The depth varies from 8-15 meters. The bay is open towards NW wind called Maestral, which can be pretty strong during stable summer weather conditions but only during the day so you’re safe at night.

If you tie your dinghy at the breakwater of the marina you will probably see happy stray kittens by the dumpsters. They are very well cared for –they even have a carpet and regular meals.

This season we can expect normal conditions in Losinj harbor, as moorings will be managed by the Port Authority. The reconstruction of the waterfront is the responsibility of the municipality and should be finished by Jun 15, 2012, even though they apparently began rebuilding in December (almost three months later, as they should begin in early October). Bar and restaurant owners are afraid they will not be able to put the tables on the waterfront in pre-season.

We expect equal position of the piers, as for the toilets, the authorities must agree with the previous holder of the concession, which can be complicated. New addition to the waterfront will be additional 65 feet to the first pier - breakwater with lighthouse.

On the video you can see the drilling for pier foundation. Piers will the same as on the other side of the port, where there are holes in the waterfront, so that waves break below and do not bounce off back into the harbor.

I found these postcards from Rovinj my mom had stashed in a shoe box. When I visited Rovinj about a year ago it was a totally different sight. Even old towns such as Rovinj are slowly but constantly changing.
On the last photo taken from the curch hilltop, there was no marina yet and no ugly hotels.

I visited a nautical fair - saliboat exhebition in Muggia near Trieste. there were quite alot of sailboats on display and the town is very cute.

Check out these colours yesterday afternoon when it stopped raining. Pictures are taken from our sail boat, mored in Losinj harbour.
skipper tim