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On that note, we realised there was not a lot going on in this end of the world, so off we went to find a cup of coffee.
The ferry was still coming into the Port of Zadah. Cheryl and I were able to take in the beautiful view from the coffee shops balcony. It was a great site, I think enhanced by the time of the morning, and the slow speed of the boat.
Eventually Dianne and Brian surfaced, and we caught up with them on our way out. The port facilities are relatively new, and very well presented. A pleasure to walk through. We had the usual queue at customs/passports, other than that all good. We then caught a taxi to the marina Dalmacija, in Sukosan, which is around 15 minutes out of Zadah. The plan was to organize the boat, then go back into Zadah. As it turned out the boat was not going to be ready until 4.00pm, so we had around 7 hours to fill in.
The trip to the Marina cost 50 euro, which is quite expensive. The lady at the charter office reckons we got off lightly, as some Americans get charged 200 Euro for a trip from the airport.
Given that the boat was not going to be ready for some time, we took the trip into Zadar to have a look around. But this time we negotiated a taxi for 30 euro. We got dropped off in the old town. The driver also gave us his card for the trip back to the mariner.
The area of present-day Zadar traces its earliest evidence of human life from the late Stone Age, while numerous settlements date as early as the NeolithicBefore the Illyrians, an ancient civilisation of a pre-Indo-European culture inhabited the area. Zadar traces its origin to its 9th-century BC founding as a settlement of the Illyrian tribe of Liburnians known as Iader. As you can see, it is steeped in history, and like most places around the Mediterranean it was conquered by the Romans.
The old city has a wall around it, which has been well preserved. The city is a mixture of old and new. Tourism being the main source of income.
When we arrived in the town, it just started to rain, followed by a pretty decent thunderstorm.
During all this, we found a cosy spot in a restaurant, and had breakfast.
Finally, we got out to see more of the town. The organ pipes on the ocean front that are set of by the ocean waves, making their own unique sound. The solar system art that puts the solar system dimensions into perspective. The markets on the foreshore. We also did a train ride tour around the town, and the girls fell in love with the train driver. I haven't the faintest idea why, but I have stuck a photo in so you can make your minds up.
Time was moving on, we had a quick lunch, (and the girls a quick gelati!) and then we went to the supermarket to get supplies to take back to the boat. Our driver picked us up, and then set us down at the Marina. He was a nice chap and spoke good English.
The boat was ready. Brian went into the charter place and did all the paperwork. Finally, we are on the boat.
The Rental people provide you with a checklist to do. There were a few maintenance things that had not been done. Had it been a novice like me, and not somebody like Brian they would have been missed. As it turned out, it took quite a while to do the repairs, so we are now not going to sail until tomorrow morning.
It didn't matter, we are not on a timetable. We made our way up to the restaurant for tea and had a nice meal. Finally, we had a shower etc in these absolutely first-class showers in the marina. They are brand new, and a credit to the marina. Probably better than most 5-star hotels.
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