The Last Supper

Kinda. 
Well... more the stroll to supper.   

Dinner with a view, I think you'll agree. 

Šunj Beach | Lopud Island

Šunj beach is Lopud's only sandy beach. It is also regarded as one of the best (if not the best) sandy beach in the Dubrovnik Riviera. 
As far as beaches go in Croatia it's pretty much perfect, plus it's actually warm! The Adriatic is usually pretty chilly up until the later summer months, but Šunj is shallow enough to suck up all the sun's heat from early spring. 
It also means you can stroll out through the ocean for about 200 meters before it gets you-gotta-swim deep. Which gives everyone plenty of room to play rackety- smackety a.k.a beach tennis. 

Get there early-ish. It's about a 20 minute walk from the waterfront or you can get a golf buggy for £8 (70 kuna). 

If you decide to walk, follow the golf buggy track, don't turn right along the walker's footpath. It'll cut about 5 minutes from your journey but it's all down slippery steps & smells of soggy leaves.  

Rent a sun bed for the day (about a fiver) & smell the BBQs waft into shore from the yachts & small boats that settle in the bay for the day. 

 

I bet you've always wondered where the tallest palm trees were in south east Europe. Well, there you go ladies & gents, Lopud Island. 

Lets hope it's your million dollar question. 

PS if you haven't seen my polaroids from Lopud Island check them out here. 

Lopud Island | Croatia

The second half of our adventure to Croatia (the first is here & here) was spent on the car free, blissful little island of Lopud.

Like any island worthy of living on for a little while, it was a bit of a hop, skip & a jump away. 
We got a boat from Gruž  after our journey from the airport. 
Be patient. And stock up before you set out into fully fledged island life. 
Beer, wine, fruit & snacks are all at their cheapest at the big supermarket in Gruž.  

Of course the good thing about catching the ferry is that not only do you get to play captain up deck, but you get to see your neighbouring islands: this beautiful orange villa is on Koločep.

And then you make it; by plane, foot, car, bus & boat. You make it. To your little tranquil island dotted in the Dubrovnik Riviera. 
You drag your suitcase behind you, swapping hands every now and then, as you waddle excitedly along the island's cove to see your nest for the next couple of nights. 
The locals kinda gaze up at you as you hurry past. It's all a bit "You ain't from around here, are ya" (or whatever the translation is to Croatian)!  

 

First things first: exploring and ice cream. 

But remember kids, no pipe smoking round these parts...

 After a splash about in the ocean we made friends with the locals (sea urchins, meh, not so much).

And to round off the evening we had a beautiful Lopud sunset & the freshest of octopus.

There's the little fella...

Croatia Polaroids: Lopud Island

Lopud is a beautiful, sleepy little hamlet nestled between Dubrovnik and the largest of the Elaphiti Islands, Sipan. What do you think, not bad eh? 

It's the kind of place where everyone knows everything about everyone. There's a lot of banter between locals and tourists alike and if my Croatian were any better I would say gossip too! We watched hotel owners pulling tricks on groups of grannies, waiters making jokes with fishermen and general nods of acknowledgement between, well, everyone. Once we got to grips with the island's clockwork & stayed a couple of nights, heck, we even were! Tourists are always welcomed, but once day cruises have left it feels like the locals give you an extra heads up. 

Extra kudos if you happen to eat ice cream twice daily too...sometimes thrice (what, don't look at me like that... I'm on holiday!) I'm not sure whether our Croatian - ice cream man - Arg from T.O.W.I.E - look-a-like was generally shocked to have so much custom from two young Brits or if he was just shocked we actually wanted to stay on this traditional restful island for longer than a day but either way we were more than thrilled to lap up the free scoops. 

Travellers, always befriend the locals - it can only end well! 

The sense of simplicity and repetitiveness on an island like Lopud is ever apparent; things are just easier, all you have to  think about on Lopud is what to have for breakfast and when's the best time to snorkel. 

To make sure we were as hot and sticky as possible before any dives into the Adriatic's cold currents, we hiked up (a good two hours) to the old fortress perched right on the tipy top of the island. It was just C and I, this view and silence. 

On our way back down we stumbled across the most peaceful beach I've ever been to in my life. In other words we got lost and got seriously lucky! The scenery was dramatic, we had the whole beach to ourselves and the water, well, as you can see...crystal clear even on my ol' polaroid. 

And with sunsets like this... could this island be any more heavenly? 

I think not.