Croatia is a must!

I have heard a great deal about Croatia from the last few years and I was lucky enough to spend last week sailing a fifty-two foot yacht around its southern islands. For those of you that have been to Croatia, you will know how magical this country really is. It has recently recovered from a decade of authoritarian nationalism and bitter war but now proudly celebrates its beauty to those travelling there. It boasts a bizarre mix of stunning Roman architecture, friendly and warm people with a great sense of humour and stunning coastlines and scenery. It is similar to how I would imagine Greece to have been thirty years ago - beautiful and unspoilt.

We spent some evenings anchored in secluded bays enjoying fresh fish and a few cocktails as the sun went down. Others were spent sampling the local nightlife at various fishing towns. For anyone looking to travel to Croatia in the near future, I’d highly recommend the Island of Hvar. The main bay is lined with vibrant bars and restaurants with a backdrop of rugged hills. We headed straight for the well known nightspot, Carpe Diem, a cocktail bar on the edge of the harbour front looking across the bay. I think this could be a future Pepper destination!

I am definitely going to be joining our next group in Cape Town on our RYA yachting course after that experience! One of our last group in January, Marisa, had a serious passion for yachting and left us in South Africa for the Caribbean where she joined a crew for four months…..I now fully understand!

It was quite a shock to the system landing in fifteen degree hail at Gatwick on Sunday……since then it hasn’t really stopped and unfortunately nor have the smug emails from Vince, out in Cape Town now. As I sit here in the UK Pepper office listening to the fifth day in a row of rain……how much I love England!

Anyway it’s been another hectic week with the finalising of our groups for the Lion’s tour of South Africa next June. I am seriously excited already and slowly beginning to irritate Vince with my enthusiastic predictions of the certain South African defeat!!!!

Cheers for now,

Johnny