Adriatic Sailing Day 3: I Broke The Boat!
• HERCEG NOVI — SVETI STEFAN — BUDVA •
This morning we all agreed to get up in time to visit the Savina Monastery before it was time to sail the “Baltra” out of Herceg Novi. Nik was able to arrange a private tour for us and an opportunity to sit down with the priests for coffee.
We all piled into three different taxis and headed up to the top of the hill where the monastery sits looking out over the bay. The grounds were beautiful and the priests welcomed us with open arms. They shared all kinds of local specialities with us, including their homemade grappa, which would put hair on your chest at any time of day, but at 9am was a bit hard to put back. After coffee and pastries (and some very strong alcohol), we got a brief tour of their vineyards and collection of ancient relics dating back to the twelfth century. They gifted each of us with a freshly picked tomato and we thanked the priests for their hospitality by purchasing numerous bottles of their monastery-made wine. We all commented how much we really enjoyed this experience, feeling like it more closely connected us to their culture, giving us some local perspective.
We left Herceg Novi to head south along the coast with an anchored stop along the way for our first swim in the Adriatic. We had a great time jumping off the boat, swimming in the crystal clear blue water and then popping some champagne on deck to cheers the sunshine and warm temps. After yesterday’s weather and a review of the week’s forecast, we’ve all been holding our breathe.
We continued south along the coast to Budva, but Nik was kind enough to go off route so we could see the luxurious Aman Sveti Stefan hotel. He navigated around the peninsula and then anchored so we could swim right off the resort’s rocks. So maybe we didn’t splurge for a room at this exclusive property where tennis star Novak Djokovic got married, but at least we splurged for the boat that can drop anchor for a swim in its waters. Close enough, right?!?
We pulled into Budva around 7pm and everyone was very excited about the marina’s showers, even though Nik warned us that they weren’t the nicest and he prefers showering on the boat at this location. I decided to take his advice, mainly because there were only three showers and eight of us, plus all the others who were docked here… so I figured I’d give the sink faucet a shot. It was an experience, but I’m clean… at least I hope considering that was the shortest shower of my life to date.
We were all getting ready on the boat and I attempted to blow dry my hair. I was almost finished when the dryer cut out and when it wouldn’t turn back on, I realized I had probably blown a fuse. I regrettably had to tell Nik and turns out it was a much bigger problem than just flipping a switch. He needed to call the marina’s maintenance team to assist and until that happened, we were without shore power… aka, no cell phone charging. I wanted to jump overboard. The big suitcase and now this?!? I promise I’m not as high maintenance as it seems!
We all ventured into Budva’s Old Town for dinner, which is absolutely adorable and afterwards Nik met up with us for drinks. He wasn’t able to get the power restored on the boat because a new part is needed, which he’ll purchase in the morning. So it’s official… I broke the boat. I feel terrible, but luckily no one seems too mad… In fact, we decided to name this crisis “Dryer-Gate”.
Budva’s known for its partying until dawn nightclub scene, but I couldn’t twist anyone’s arm to join me for a little fist pumping. Instead we grabbed beers from a street vendor and enjoyed them on the beach. With Budva being referred to as Montenegro’s Miami, I can’t say I exactly had that experience, but even just walking through the streets after dinner, you could feel the energy as the beats pumped from the open air clubs and the streets were full of Russian and Serbian party-goers. At least I’ll be able to attempt getting more shut eye tonight than I would have hitting the clubs!