Friday: Vineyards

We did a little bit of exploring around the island this morning, visiting the villages of Vrboska and Jelsa.  Vrboska is often called 'Little Venice' because it has three bridges over a canal.  Don't get me wrong, it is very pretty and worth a visit but comparisons to Venice don't really stack up.

From there, we had a bit of beach time, finding a couple of lovely swimming spots.  The water is still lovely and warm, helped by temperatures of 37 degrees (98.6 for my Fahrenheit friends).  In heat like that, the water is the only place to be.  Our beach spot was near these vineyards.

We also discovered a fascinating abandoned hotel today.  An Internet search revealed that it was the 'Belgrade Children's Hospital' - not actually a hospital but a camp for the children of party officials in Yugoslav times.  Since the fall of Yugoslavia it has just gone to rack and ruin.  Photo in extras.  

And to end an already packed day, we had one of our best meals in Croatia.  Ever.  I had beef on a bed of rocket in a fig and almond sauce, while K. had pasta in a sauce of chicken, figs and red peppers.  Finally, a restaurant that cooks with figs - they grow in abundance but I have never come across them being used in restaurants.

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And I'll stop after I tell you that I finished 'The Year of Magical Thinking' today by Joan Didion, written about the year after she lost her husband.  It was a very worthwhile read but I thought it was going to be something slightly different to what it was.  More insight, less memoir.