Jet Set at Puro Beach

On Mackenzie's last day in Europe she and I decided to go to the very chic pool here in Porto, Puro Beach.

I believe there are only 3 in the world and this one opened just in May 2013 so we are one of the first lucky visitors.

The pool is huge and has infinity edges all around its circumference.  The one at the end which makes it look like the pool leads into the Mediterranean is really awesome.  

Mackenzie and I had attended a Summer Opening Party here a two weeks prior and were excited to actually get to enjoy the pool on a lovely sunny afternoon.

There is a really striking "Square" sculpture right in the pool itself and a giant, white, "Thinker" at its edge by the sea.

When we arrived, a cabana boy, (no I am not kidding this is the real deal) escorted us to two beds and set out huge plush towels for us.  He propped up 2 umbrellas to shade us and minutes later returned with a platter of fresh fruit and cold water.  This is the life!

We really enjoyed relaxing and swimming in the pool and took some photos just before we left at around 6:30pm.

We joined Rob and the boat which is docked only a few metres away from Puro Beach and we headed to Mackenzie's restaurant of choice for her 'last' dinner at Al Posto Guisto.

We rode our bikes down the main jetty of Porto Monenegro to see all the super yachts and enjoyed the full moon as it rose above the Montenegrin Mountains.

                We have Arrived at Puro Beach !

                Shade and a view for 2

                 

Great view down the pool - Many enjoying spending time at the Pool's Edge

  Cabana Boy

                The 'Square' Sculpture and Club in the background

                 

Enjoy boys!

  Swimming - Water 88 degrees and Fresh!

                Enjoying watching Mega Yachts come and go through the afternoon

                Kenzie enjoying the Pool

  Namaste...

                

Together at the Pool's edge...

                Looks like Kenzie and I can walk on water!

  Faboulous Chicken Bacon Ceasar                      

   Al Posto Guisto Italian Restaurant at Porto Montenegro

                Full Moon Rising Over the Montenegrin Mountains at Porto Montenegro

                Kenzie enjoying the Yachts on the Jetty and Full Moon on one of the Folding Bikes

Leaving the Bay at Montenegro for Croatia

We left the dock at Porto Montenegro for Croatia on Tuesday, July 9, 2013.

We had an appointment for fuel at 9:30.  Yes, I said appointment.  There are so many mega yachts here, you need an appointment.

We waited almost 2 hours and finally got in for fuel and to check out with the harbour master and policija.  

The workers at the fuel dock said they had a super yacht load over 180,000 litres of fuel in one fill up.  That is close to $300,000 of fuel.  Wow...  This yacht is one of the top 100 yachts in the world and is owned by a Russian who made his fortune in the aluminum business.  He is the largest aluminum producer in the world.  Google "Queen K"  for a look at his yacht.  He also has a large yacht named "Sputnik" that carries helicopters, jet skis, tenders, cars, and other toys for the Queen K.

We took on about $100 worth of diesel which is much better on the budget.  We have our bikes in the hold and Rob's new road bike on the deck strapped to the staunchens.

Rob worked out a lifting system and now we use the spin halyard to lift the dinghy onto the foredeck for easy storage and this will significantly limit the growth on the bottom.

We finally were able to leave at around 12:15 pm and headed for Cavtat, Croatia where it is customary to check into the country and clear customs with the boat and its crew.

We motored all the way as the wind was almost nil.   In fact, there is little to no wind here this time of year.

We have only been able to fly the sails once a couple of weeks ago and fortunately there was just enough wind the night we raced the Blue 26's.

We arrived in Cavtat at around 5 pm and had to do a mediterranean dock by dropping our anchor and putting the boat in reverse.  It was sketchy but we did it!!  Also, most boats have many crew and we are just 3!

Rob left to do customs and Mackenzie and I fended off the cement wall and neighboring boats.  

We met a lovely couple from Scotland while perched here.  The gal is a special ed teacher in Buckie where my grandfather is from.  She was so excited we had relatives who were from Buckie.

After Rob completed all the customs papers and purchased our cruising permit for Croatia, we left the harbour and went around the peninsula to a quiet harbour called Tiha Bay where it was less crazy and a great place for a good nights rest.

It was also a short dinghy ride to shore where we could walk over to Cavtat.

We used the dinghy to go to shore and have dinner in Cavtat at Bogenvila Restaurant.  Yes, they don't seem to know how to spell 'bogenvillia'.

After a lovely meal and some good beer and local wine, we headed back to our dinghy and off to The Lodge.

We watched some TV, had cappuccino's and Milka chocolate and slept like babies.  We turned on the genset so we had the pleasure of air conditioning all night long.  The winds were nil so it was a calm lovely evening.

                The chic Puro Beach Pool -  we hovered here for almost 2 hours waiting to attend the fuel dock shich was adjacent to the pool

                Departing the bay from Tivat

                Beautiful views as we leave the bay for the Adriatic Sea

                 

In the distance, you will see quite a large ship which is Sputnik, the support boat for the Queen K

It may look small but check out the 3 large radar balls.  Those are at least 10 feet in diameter.

                Almost out of the bay....

Seeing the back of the boat shows some perspective -  Those mountains are close to 7,000 feet high

                 

A photo together!  Thanks to Mackenzie!!!

                Rob's new road bike on the deck.  I wonder how many laps around the boat he could do?

                Mackenzie enjoying the day

                Fort built at the mouth of the bay likely during WW 2 to protect the harbour

                 

She loves making funny faces!!!

                 

Enjoying the coast of Croatia on the way to Cavtat

                        

Cavtat Harbour with Tiha Harbour to the right

We cleared customs at Cavtat and went around the penninsula to Tiha, the harbour on the right

Cavtat Harbour

Toys loaded - Paddle Boards and our dinghy on the bow with its new hoisting system

                 

Olive Tapenade, local olives, fresh Buffalo Mozzerella and 3 local olive oils at Bugenvila restaurant in Cavtat

                Truffle Risotto

                 

Time to get in our dinghy which is squeezed between fishing boats in the harbour at Cavtat

We anchored in the harbour here for the night

Exploring the Fjord at Tivat, Montenegro

Below are some photos as we explored the Fjord and bay at Tivat.

We took a day and left the marina at Porto Montenegro.  We anchored off a small island in the bay about 40 minutes away for a relaxing day and an attempt to get cooler.

It is very hot here each day and it was nice to be in some breeze and have a chance to swim.

We cleaned the outside of the boat for a an hour and took the dinghy to shore where we flipped it and cleaned off the bottom.

Then we went for a tour on the dinghy and a swim.

We also enjoyed a fresh watermelon we had purchased at the side of the road which was amazing!

In the evening, Mackenzie and I were invited to the annual summer party at Puro Beach (below)  It was very chic and we had a great time!

                Puro Beach at Porto Montenegro - Mackenzie and I attended a very chic party here

                Puro Beach at night lit up for the party

                Enjoying the party with our host, Becky

                Watermelon on the back of The Lodge -  Very firm, juicy and what a great colour!!!