Last Friday we made arrangements to visit Mljet National Park, which is situated on Mljet Island not too far from Dubrovnik. Because of the ferry schedule, we decided it would be easiest to spend the night on the island. It was supposed to be rainy on Friday and clear on Saturday, so we booked a rental car and accommodation for Saturday night and headed out.
As we were in line for the ferry out to the island, we received an email from Zeljko, the owner of Huck Finn Adventure, whom we’d met during our bike trip on Šipan the previous weekend. With a good weather forecast for Sunday through Tuesday, he suggested a 3-day sailing trip onboard one of his catamarans. He needed to do some end-of-season work at his various bases on the islands and offered us the trip for about a quarter of the normal price. We discussed it, and although it meant changing around our plans a bit, it was an offer we just couldn’t pass up.
Travel in the off-season: a huge ferry all to ourselves 
Watching the rain during lunch on Saturday
We took the ferry to the island and after a rainy Saturday afternoon, we awoke to clear blue skies on Sunday. We met Zeljko and Ivana in the town of Polače on the northern end of Mjlet island and hopped on some e-bikes for a tour of the park with Ivana. The national park is amazing, with traffic-free roads, lots of trails, and stunning views. Unlike parks in the United States, there are towns and villages inside the park. Ivana arranged lunch for us at one of them, where we were greeted with a simple and delicious meal of grilled fish, fried potatoes, and salad.
After a relaxing evening on the catamaran, Jen and I drove our rental car back to Dubrovnik to return it and met up again with Quinn and Kathy on the northern side of Šipan island. We did a little paddleboarding and then went out for a sunset cruise.
On Tuesday we had nice, consistent wind and we got to sail from Šipan to Lopud island. Zeljko even let me pilot the boat while we were under sail!
So beautiful! I admit I don’t know much about Croatia so I am like getting to learn thru your adventures. What a great experience on the Huck Finn. It is going to be hard for you to come home not a lot of boats here. Best wishes to Jen, Quinn and your Mom
Thank you Jamie! Hope you guys are having a wonderfull fall!
you are having afantastic adventure ,we enjoy your reports!!
Bud & Janice
Glad you’re enjoying them Bud! Thanks for coming along!
Lovely photos! Weather looks amazing .
Thanks Marcia! Fortunately the weather was amazing for that trip. Winter is coming though – this morning we woke up to our first sunny day in a week!
You do realize – that Heaven will be boring after this wonderful, fabulous trip?
It’s like reading comments from people who have dropped off of this planet (lucky you)
and are living the way people are supposed to live.
I am happy for you — but, do admit to envy!
BEAUTIFUL!
Thank you Carole!