Monday, 24th June, 2019
After yesterday’s busy day meeting up with Arlen, going to the beach and enjoying the company of Lara and her family over dinner, we badly needed our sleep and did not wake up till much later than planned. Today is going to be a travel day – easy and slow going – by ferry which we are taking later on in the afternoon and saving us driving back to Cres to cross over to the mainland and drive down to Zadar. I hate retracing my steps – I rather keep moving forward even if it means going round in a circle to get back to a specific point!
Our breakfast consisted of a banana and some chocolate cookies with our coffee – we were given strict instructions by Lara that we should not eat too much as she invited us for lunch when we would be eating some of the fish that her son Alex caught yesterday.
After packing up everything, we met our host, Matheus, downstairs and thanked him for his hospitality – we decided to walk up to the car park with our luggage but it seemed that the steps got steeper and steeper as we climbed up…….
Anyway finally made it to the car park after much grunting and panting and stopping to admire the view – we then drove over to Lara’s place.
On our way, picturesque steps leading down to the harbour 
Half door open leading into a secret garden
At Lara’s place, the house was full with kids as they have holidays – the twins Dado and Carolina were watching cartoons and Alex started preparing the fish to put on the BBQ while his girlfriend, Bruna went off to the greengrocers to get some salad for lunch. Maria was out shopping and joined us just before lunch. Gerry has a special relationship with Lara and her family as he knows Lara since she was a little girl. In fact, before we left Holland, Gerry put various photos he had taken over the years into an album. These pictures were take when Gerry and his family used to travel to the then Yugoslavia and spent time with Lara’s family – Lara really appreciated this photo album- as did her husband, Werner!
Well back to today! Besides having lively conversations, I also managed to make reservations in Dubrovnic – to arrive there on Tuesday evening and where we will be spending 2 nights. And then it was time for Alex to get the BBQ going………
Grilling process under way 
All the fish ready for the BBQ 
Making sure that the fish is well done 
Alex managing the BBQ 
Table set for lunch
Werner joined us much later for lunch but there was enough fish to go round and it was great being with this really nice family
Alex did not only attend to the BBQ but also served out the fish and as we could notice, this wasn’t the first time that he’s done this. Gerry kept on saying how Alex reminded him of Jozo, Alex’s grandfather, the same voice and mannerisms……..
Before we knew it, it was time for us to leave and drive down to the ferry. Another surprise awaited us – Arlen, who lives opposite the shipyard, came down to say goodbye – so sweet of her and the. She even called Anna (Lara’s mum) so that she too could wish us happy travels. These people are so friendly and hospitable – just cannot helps loving them!
Our ferry arrived and after some messy way of driving on board, we saw Mali Losinj slowly getting smaller and smaller as we sailed away – literally into the sunset!
We sailed along the coastline and in between various island – this ferry was like taking the local bus with different stops – our first stop was at the island if Primuda and then onto Silby and one final stop at Olibi before arriving at Zadar late in the evening 22.15 pm of course it was just great and easy going trip -;watching the coastline, other boats and different basic ports as well as the sunset and then finally the twinkling lights of Zadar.
