Independence Day we hoisted our oversized ensign and otherwise dressed ship with streams of burgees and other flags from our travels. We moved to the popular town of Primosten (70 ft, 43d34.99N, 15d55.61E) in search of other Americans to celebrate with but there were none in an anchored fleet of 40 yachts. So we entertained the anchorage with an eight hour Americana playlist and ate chicken with corn salad wearing red, white & blue (also Interlude's livery).
On Monday we ran a gauntlet of narrow channels, low bridges and powerlines up a river to Skradin and the Krka National Park (near Sibenik). Carefully interpreting the chart and its warnings, we anchored past all the other yachts, the marina and a no anchor sign in our own cove just past the town across from a swimming beach (20 ft, 43d48.91N, 15d55.74E). Most yachts anchor across from the town/marina (somewhat blocking the channel) and not realizing the no anchor sign marks an underwater pipeline.
Skraden is a small old town repaired after the 1990's homeland war to service tourists visiting the Park. The modern metal and glass Park office building though nicely done seemed an extravagant expense for what appears to house administrative offices and a ticket counter. We walked the docks in the marina finding yachts following our route since Greece including 'Big City' a mega motor palace with its tender 'Small Town'. Drinks at a bar overlooking the marina and dinner at the Skradinski Buc Hotel (set menu KN 80) finished off this fun day.
Private boats are not allowed to go any further upriver so Tuesday morning at 0900 we took a day tripper boat to the the Park entrance (KN 95 pp) to see the waterfalls. They were impressive but we hiked on up past them to a second reception desk to secure tickets (KN 130 pp) for another boat trip on the higher lake to the island Monastery of Visovac and the falls at Roski Slap. We had a couple hours before the departure to Visovac to meander thru the trees along a scenic boardwalk built over the tributaries feeding the falls. Leaving some tardy tourists standing on the wharf, at 1200 sharp two full boats left for the half hour ride to the Franciscan Monastery. A half hour tour reveled some interesting history and a rich library of historical manuscripts and books. After another half hour scenic cruise to the smaller falls at Roski Slap, we docked at the park center there occupying an old working water mill grinding grain and washing clothes. With only an hour of free time we took a quick walk walk up to the travertine terraces leading to the falls across the car bridge and back on the pedestrian bridge.
The upper lake tour took three and a half hours and we were back down in Skradin by 1700. Many European tourists took time to swim in the designated areas at the falls but we had our cooling dip with all the kids jumping off the town quay in Skradin. Another nice meal at the Skradin Falls Hotel, some shopping and we needed another dip back at the boat.
There is wifi here in the anchorage (E11 per day) so we may try get our Greece Report out tomorrow.
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