Sailing from Mljet to Korcula - Inevitable Laundry - Trouble with the Dinghy Engine

On Saturday, July 13, 2013  we departed our private anchorage at the top end of Mljet and set out for the Island of Korcula.  The sail took about 5-6 hours

It was a  work day on the sail over, getting laundry done and filling all our water jugs using the water maker we have on board.

Laundry proved to be a very costly expense in Montenegro as they have no coin operated laundromats as we do in Canada.  We bought a mini washer we found on line called the "Panda" which has been a life saver.  We do small loads in our head and rinse the clothes in a bucket in the shower.    The Panda does as good a job as our new washing machine in Collingwood!  

We hang the clean clothes on the natural laundry lines provided by the boats' life lines.  Thanks to Mackenzie for dragging the Panda Washer over here in an extra bag!

As we travelled, we passed a very fancy yacht, the Ilona from Australia.  Very striking - picture below.

Once we arrived on the island of Korcula, we anchored in a bay next to the main marina and old town and used our dinghy to motor over to see the old town.

The old town of Korcula is the most preserved of all the medieval towns in the Mediterranean.  It is also the birthplace of Marco Polo who lived most of his life in Venice.

We really enjoyed this town not only for its charm but because there were very few people here and even fewer tourists so we were really able to enjoy ourselves.

Mackenzie and I climbed the bell tower in the middle of the town and took in some incredible views.

We enjoyed a light dinner at a pizza and Internet cafe where I was able to update the blog and do some research about the next few days' adventures.

We were able to get great provisions at a grocery store just steps from where we had left the dinghy so it was a great opportunity to buy groceries.  We also invested in a fly swatter which has proved to be a great instrument!

It was starting to get dark as it was around 8:30pm so we headed out in the dinghy with our load of groceries and a flashlight.

We did not get very far.

The fuel in the dinghy was dirty and without tools, Rob could not fix our situation.  We had suspected issues with the fuel in the dinghy's engine a few days before so I recommended we take one of the paddle board paddles with us.

Thank goodness!  I started paddling which was working but slow.   Rob continued to pull on the cord of the engine which would start and almost immediately peter out.  I am not sure he was looking for a work out but he got one!

 We had the waves and light wind at our back helping us drift toward our bay where the boat was anchored.

And then - a Good Samaritan from Korcula!  A very helpful young man spotting me paddling and Rob fighting to start the engine and came over to offer us a tow to our boat.  I have photos of this below as I could not pass up the opportunity to capture it all on camera.

We were of course very grateful and although our new friend did not want compensation of any kind, we insisted on tossing him a few cold beers for his trouble.

                Laundry on the way to Korcula  

   The Panda - Great addition to The Lodge!

                 

Ilona from Austrailia - we passed eachother on our way from Mljet to Korcula

                 

Leaving our anchorage adjacent to the bay where Old Korcula is situated

                 

Just inside the entrance to Old Korcula - Birthplace of Marco Polo

    Church and Bell Tower in Old Korcula

   Kenzie taking photos part way up the tower

Nice views to the south

   View from the Bell Tower in Old Korcula looking to the main land and mountains

                 

We anchored in the bay on the left side and the ACI Marina in Korcula to the right

   Breathless....

  This is how we got up to the top...

   Streets of Old Korcula

                View from the outside of the old wall

                Dinner and Internet in Old Korcula

  A tow at night from Old Korcula back to            The Lodge  in the bay next door - The Lodge is the Sail Boat just ahead of our friend who is towing us - Thanks to our Good Samaritan!