Mother's Day

In our part of the world, today is mother's day, and I must admit that I am missing being with my boys today. I have missed other MD because of travel here and there, and will probably be away from home for a few more.

This trip really wouldn't be possible without all the help, support and encouragement we got from  our 4 boys, and our daughter in law Rita. It was such a major undertaking to put together this trip that I think at first they weren't sure if we could really pull it off. I had my doubts,too. But once they knew we were really going, and had booked our tickets( this is the key, friends- until you have booked your tickets, it is just a dream), they all pitched in. 

Cleaning out our house to make it ready for renters was one of the hardest things we did, and there were days when I was so overwhelmed and discouraged that I really didn't care about the trip. It was at this point that one of the boys, usually Matt, would come over and empty the contents of a room into the basement! It's a bit chaotic down there but it will eventually be sorted out, and maybe we will live a simpler life without some of our belongings. Jacob took loads of stuff to the dump and recycling center. Sam and Sean packed up and moved out of their rooms and into new lives. I could go on and on about all the ways they have kept us afloat while we have been away, from handling banking, to home rentals, to phone calls from afar, but suffice it to say that we both are very grateful to our sons for their help and love. 

We are celebrating by staying in a fancier than usual hotel on an island in Croatia. It's my ideal place and we only found it by chance. 

Since we are so close to the sea here, my main criteria is to have a water view, which is not too hard.

This was a view from the day before, in Lumbarda, and there is the back of our cherry red vw golf.

It looks like we're parked on the beach, but it is actually a concrete pad along the edge of the water.

I thought I would swim at this beach, but I noticed that there were quite a lot of sea urchins under the water and decided not to risk stepping on one! 

We drove a short way into Korcula town center, and discovered that it was the home of Marco Polo.

Marco!          Polo!     It is a very small, but charming walled city, just the right size for a bit of exploring. Supposedly MP lived in this house.

Now it is a restaurant...

There were several stores selling " genuine Marco Polo relics", and a MP museum. Jim declined my offer to visit the museum, saying he'd just look him up on Wikipedia...haha.

It didn't take long to traverse the town walls.

We succumbed to the draw of a hokey tourist attraction ( very few here) and went for a ride on the semi submarine, for an undersea view. It was just the two of us on a " private tour".

Nice big chunks of cement( with tiny fish)

Sea grass

Sea floor

View from one side

And the other... Pretty impressive, huh? 

This morning I will be sitting on our little balcony, enjoying the view of the sea.

Possibly even taking a dip in the Adriatic, as I did yesterday( brrrr).

And lounging on one of these " sun beds". 

Or enjoying my flowers from two Croatian markets

Happy Mother's Day!