Lokrum Island

A trip to Croatia just wouldn't be complete without an island-hopping adventure. Danny and I decided to take a day trip to Lokrum Island - a small island some 500 metres south-east from Dubrovnik.

I wish I could tell you that we woke up early to take advantage of the whole day on the islands.  But in reality, this is how our day started.

Well past midday.  Starving for lunch.  Arguing whose fault it is that we started the day so late and will barely have two hours on the island.

Lucky we know how to agree on good food and wine.

Behold the tastiest mussels bouzzara and Dalmatian style octopus salad at Buffet Kamenice in the Old Town ...

After lunch, we jumped on a boat from the Old Town to Lokrum Island.

We arrived ten minutes later and walked to this little piece of paradise known on the island as the Dead Sea.  It is a miniature lake version of the real Dead Sea.

I confirm that I was extremely buoyant in the water despite the ample amounts of seafood and wine inside my belly.

The reflection looking into the salty water was also astonishingly beautiful.

… and that's not just because I was seeing my own reflection ;)

But look!  Something else was approaching us.

Peacocks.  Lots of them.

Lokrum island abounds with wild peacocks who are friendly enough for you to get up close to them.

Remember that I have no zoom on my camera, so this is how personal we got with this pretty boy.

Chasing peacocks then led us to the ruins of the old monastery complex on the island.

Originally, a Benedictine abbey was founded on Lokrum and you can still see the remnants.

And then we realised the last ferry back to Dubrovnik was about to depart.

Staying overnight on the island is not permitted so it was time to skidaddle!

It was one of those moments where you panic at the time and then laugh about it afterwards when you’re safely on the ferry (in the nick of time) sailing away.

Speaking of boats, we made our way to Orsan Yacht Club for dinner once we got back to the mainland.

A dozen tables are set on an open terrace by the marina in Gruz Bay.

Dare I say it, it's a little bit … romantic?

So romantic that we fell in love with the food here.  Great seafood doesn't get much better (or more affordable) than that served in the sea-lapped Dalmatian coast.

As it so happened, Danny and I met in Croatia exactly one year ago from this dinner.  Happy One Year Danny! (Kind of, we're not sure what date you are meant to count from.)

GETTING THERE The boat to Lokrum Island departs from the Old City Harbour of Dubrovnik every half hour during the season (April to November) and lands in the little bay of Portoč.  The ride lasts about ten minutes and you can purchase boat tickets in front of the boat.  The last boat back is usually at 6pm (don't miss it!). http://www.lokrum.hr/en