It was quite an adventure, our first charter trip, having trained for two years with the sailing school. Very educational indeed. We had some great sailing, despite the not-so-good weather this year. Below you find our route.
After yesterday’s battle, we take it easy today. We have a sunny morning, which has not been that common during this trip… Around 13:00 we lift anchor, and sail for Korčula. The wind, 15 knots from north-westerly directions, is ideal for our course of 330˚, and we make a steady 7 knots plus. The gap between Mljet and Korčula is bridged in a bit over two hours. The wind still tries to trick us around the little islands which are situated NE of Korčula, but around 16:00 we reach the harbour.
Here it becomes obvious that the season has really started. The Marina fills up completely, and there are various ‘near-accidents’ while mooring. While talking to one of the ACI-staff members, he comments ‘We treat every arrival as a potential accident’. That is one way to look at things… In this harbour we also find one of the trainings ships from Ultra Sailing. A nice chance to have a beer and catch up with the instructor, with whom we sailed a couple of years back.
Just before 10:00 AM we leave ACI Marina Komolac. Upon leaving the estuary of Rijeka Dubrovacka, which runs between high mountain ranges, we can hoist the sails. The wind is 10 – 15 knots from the north-west. Our choice is to sail along the southern coast of Mljet. Around noon, the wind change to more westerly and strengthens a bit. By now, our speed is well over 7 knots, and we continue tacking westward.
During the afternoon, the wind rose to 20 – 35 knots from the NW. That is a bit more than the predicted 10 – 12 knots! There is a strong swell as well. We put one, later two reefs in the mainsail, and continue the battle against wind and waves. Around 19:30 we arrive in Pomena, on the north-western tip of Mljet. The quay in front of the hotel is already full, but the bay behind the hotel is a superb anchoring ground. We stay out late in the cockpit, and I also sleep there. Out at sea, the only place where you can still see a star-spangled sky!
