Here are photos from our time in Kotor, Montenegro.
Follow our video adventures on our YouTube channel: Video adventures of s/v Element
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Friday, July 8, 2016
Montenegro
July 8 - 20, 2016
Here are photos from our time in Kotor, Montenegro.
Follow us on Instagram: Element Instagram photos
Here are photos from our time in Kotor, Montenegro.
Follow us on Instagram: Element Instagram photos
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Albania part 3 - Shenjin
June 26 - July 2 - Shenjin
We left Vlore for an all day sail to Shenjin. We noticed several thunderheads along the way so tried our best to avoid them.
We arrived late and decided to anchor in the bay outside of the docks. We could see many lights and many carnival ride lights (these are a huge form of entertainment in Albania). As we were anchoring there was a call on the radio to us (our AIS system shows our name) from the marina. We could not see them but were informed that they could see us. We headed over but decided that it wasn't safe to try and tie up in the dark. We notified the authorities that it wasn't safe and that we would anchor for the night and come in in the morning.
We got up the following morning and prepped for arrival into the marina/port. An agent arrived and was waiting for us. She came aboard and finished all of the paperwork required. She handled all of the docking fees and entrance fees. Later in our stay we would see her on a local bus going to Lecce the city next door.
Shenjin is a wonderful beach district with hundreds of umbrella chairs an the long beach front. The water is shallow for a fair distance out and was safe for Jordan to play in. Many Albanians, Croatians and Russians come to Shenjin to vacation as it is so reasonable. In fact at a small taverna we were able to buy a 0.5 litre of beer for 0.50 cents. Incredible!
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| sunset upon our arrival |
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| Jordan and a new friend at the beach |
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| Paige lounging |
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| the cow walked surprisingly fast so I missed its head |
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| and then there were two munching |
After we saw the cows the girls decided that it was bumper car time. Jordan was out for blood, Paige's blood. Jordan was relentless. It was very funny to watch. I guess it was payback for the lack of playing Paige does with her on the boat.
On one of our daytime outings we were walking by and noticed a small flock of ducks. As we were taking a picture a man came out of a backyard and whistled. Low and behold the whole flock jumped up and waddled over towards him. I have never seen anything like it. They soon returned as there was no food being offered.
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| flock of ducks |
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| responding to the call |
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| returning after they didn't receive food |
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| blurry Jordan |
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| getting some help with the bounce |
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| exiting the trampoline |
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| generate oil changing lesson |
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| chilling at the beach |
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| Jordan with her new Albania flag towel - farewell Albania we enjoyed ourselves |
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| AFC (Albania Fried Chicken) anyone? |
Albania was a pleasant surprise and would recommend visiting if ever you have a chance. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in this beautiful part of the world.
Follow our video adventures on our YouTube channel: Video adventures of s/v Element
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Albania part 2 - Vlorë
June 25 - 26 - Vlorë
We arrived into Volora and got ourselves tucked away at the commercial dock and headed off into town to grab a bite to eat. Well it turns out that approximately and hour and a half after we arrived, the serene picture below was not to be. We were at dinner down the road, when we noticed the wind was kicking up, and Shaun realised it was not from the usual direction. The wind was directly entering the harbour from its non-protected side, so after we quickly finished up eating, we headed straight back to the boat to make sure things were ok. Several other boats had tied up behind us for the night and we had a steel fishing boat tied perpendicular to the end of the key just 4 ft in front of us. As we approached the boat I could see a tablecloth of cloud sliding down the face of mountains in the distance....the tell tale sign of the much feared "Bora" winds. All the boats were violently rocking from the wind, so we all added more lines....but as time went on, the swell started to build eventually reaching 4 to 5 ft waves with a 2s period and heavy breaking crests - I'm quite confident, they were good for surfing. The waves managed to quickly chafe through 3 of our lines in less than 30 minutes, while our starboard bow was becoming airborne down the backside of the waves, as they hit our boat bow on. It seemed like our stern cleat was going to be ripped off the deck because the line was originally tied too tight for the height of the swell, but the line chafed through on the concrete jetty before that occurred. We were fairing far better than the steel fishing boat that was getting bashed beam on, with the swells attempting to smash and lift the boat on top of the jetty. With the help of the other sailors, Shaun ended up cutting up one of our spooled stern tying lines into shorter lengths for more storm lines. We added these 5 lines to a strong ship's bollard in front of us, to hold the boat in place, so that it would not slide backward into the sailboats just behind us where the ferry was in the photo, as our "spring line" for this job had chafed through as well. Once all the storm lines were in place and not too tight, the boat was riding the large waves like a champ, and we just had to keep an eye out for more chafe. 4 hours later at approx. 2am, the ordeal was over and we could hit the sack and pass out. Oh yes, but then we were headed out the next morning early before the 7am ferry returned....
Word to the wise, do not tie up at the commercial dock. Go down to Oricum marina, you will fair much better in bad weather.
We arrived into Volora and got ourselves tucked away at the commercial dock and headed off into town to grab a bite to eat. Well it turns out that approximately and hour and a half after we arrived, the serene picture below was not to be. We were at dinner down the road, when we noticed the wind was kicking up, and Shaun realised it was not from the usual direction. The wind was directly entering the harbour from its non-protected side, so after we quickly finished up eating, we headed straight back to the boat to make sure things were ok. Several other boats had tied up behind us for the night and we had a steel fishing boat tied perpendicular to the end of the key just 4 ft in front of us. As we approached the boat I could see a tablecloth of cloud sliding down the face of mountains in the distance....the tell tale sign of the much feared "Bora" winds. All the boats were violently rocking from the wind, so we all added more lines....but as time went on, the swell started to build eventually reaching 4 to 5 ft waves with a 2s period and heavy breaking crests - I'm quite confident, they were good for surfing. The waves managed to quickly chafe through 3 of our lines in less than 30 minutes, while our starboard bow was becoming airborne down the backside of the waves, as they hit our boat bow on. It seemed like our stern cleat was going to be ripped off the deck because the line was originally tied too tight for the height of the swell, but the line chafed through on the concrete jetty before that occurred. We were fairing far better than the steel fishing boat that was getting bashed beam on, with the swells attempting to smash and lift the boat on top of the jetty. With the help of the other sailors, Shaun ended up cutting up one of our spooled stern tying lines into shorter lengths for more storm lines. We added these 5 lines to a strong ship's bollard in front of us, to hold the boat in place, so that it would not slide backward into the sailboats just behind us where the ferry was in the photo, as our "spring line" for this job had chafed through as well. Once all the storm lines were in place and not too tight, the boat was riding the large waves like a champ, and we just had to keep an eye out for more chafe. 4 hours later at approx. 2am, the ordeal was over and we could hit the sack and pass out. Oh yes, but then we were headed out the next morning early before the 7am ferry returned....
Word to the wise, do not tie up at the commercial dock. Go down to Oricum marina, you will fair much better in bad weather.
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| the calm before the storm |
Follow our video adventures on our YouTube channel: Video adventures of s/v Element
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