Gallery – Sailing Azure Seas

Polynesian Evening with Dancing – Visuals

The staff of the Aranui were tremendous, welcoming and professional. There were several special evenings and even a Polynesian Breakfast. We would often have a lovely dinner in a harbour, very festive with very little boat motion. These are photos of the Polynesian Banquet.

Tave helped me make purchases in the shop and often helped us tie our pareau on securely. The staff participated in both looking after us and entertaining us. They were all quite talented. Even the men of the Supercargo did a haka for us one evening that was quite amazing.

Ric dressed for his performance and James ready to show his model boat. Aranui expects everyone to do most of the activities.

The Competitors Model Canoe Comp. We believe the Frenchman in the black pareau was the winner. Most of the boats were rougher and readier than his, but his real secret was naming his boat Nuka Hiva or an island name. Helen won third prize. Good efforts.

Jame’s model canoe was the largest but not a winner, with some other entrants. Winner wasn’t here, but it was quite a looker.

Dancing class lead by the graceful Hanalui, Sandy is in pink. The men dancing are behind us.

Our Musicians – The music is fast and rhythmic. You can see that the drummers stand on a stool to be high enough to play those drums.

Marquesian Dancers – amazing bird dance with incredible tattoos.

Marquesian Dancing – so fluid and all the dances tell a story.

So the Polynesian night is definitely a night to remember. The flower crowns alone made us feel like we were in Paradise. If you go on the Aranui, join in. Don’t hold back.

What did you do on your first day in Marmaris?

Richard and Rene arrived on the ferry from Rhodes and after a coffee on board Mercier, we went looking for the vegetable markets at the Bazaar. Instead Ayjin the Barber saw us and decided the boys needed to be made “younger”. Here are the photos.

Ayjin explains that Blue doesn't need those hairs on his nose. — Ayjin explains that Blue doesn’t need those hairs on his nose.

Dancing distracts the client from the pain of having the wax removed. The music was turned up to max volume, so the screams couldn’t be heard.

The Turkish fire shave gets those pesky hairs from your ear.

a straight edged razor shave and then a mask before the haircut.

How do you feel about going blonde, Blue?

Ayjin leaves Blue and gets James in, look at that wax!

The sequence of events is waxing, threading, fire in the ears, massage, straight edge razor shave,masque, hair cut, trim the eyebrows and all while dancing and doing Michael Jackson impersonations.

Rene's eyebrows next to go. — Rene’s eyebrows next to go. James looks tentative or like cousin Fester, take your pick.

Sheltered Bay of Milna, Split and Trogrir

There has been a change in Croatia; the weather is changeable and the crowds seem to be diminishing as well.

Its been busy, Milna was very quiet but enjoyable, but we were too lazy to blog. Split was busy and our friend, Lesley joined us for the next sector of Mercier’s Voyage.

In Milna, we stayed at Marina Vlaska which is at the mouth of the harbour going into Milna. There were several benefits to staying here. Great showers, beautiful swimming beach right around the corner ( there could be no swimming in Milna Bay, too dirty) and the Illyrian Restaurant, which along with Croatian food, did a great Thai Curry and Sate. We did walk into Milna town, with its great chill out bars, but Marina Vlaska was the place to be.

From here it was an easy trip up to Split, which was a busy town but not as busy as the week earlier. Italian schools went back on Monday and we haven’t heard nearly as many Italian accents since then.

James welcoming Lesley with Aperol Spritz

Sailors like to party

Before coming to quiet Stari Grad, we shared the ACI Marina with a yacht rally. All chartered yachts – what a party. Here are a few outtakes.

IMG_0781 (640x427) — Starts out beautifully

Starts out beautifully — Gets a bit out of control – would you like to buy a charter boat?

Every one is a bit tired and emotional the next morning

Moreska Korcula

Korcula is a lovely island northwest of Dubrovnik, with a walled city fortress and history going back hundreds of years. Francesco Da Mosto did a documentary (Francesco’s Mediterranean Voyage Ep.3) including the Moreska Korcula or the traditional sword dance of Korcula. In this land narrated by its history of invaders, this story is about a lovely girl who is captured by the Black Prince and saved by the Korculean prince.

We were in Korcula on the night the Moreska was playing and had a most interesting evening. First people watching as every seat was taken in the ‘theatre’ space, the welcome by a CJ Craig* look alike MC in five languages, traditional songs sung acapella by the Korcula equivalent to the Circular Quay chorus and finally the Moreska itself. Here are a few photos.

The Black Prince taunting the Korculeans

Face Off with the Princess in the background

Sparks fly off the swords, the good guys win but the interesting fact is that this is a family tradition. These men are following in the footsteps of their fathers, grandfathers and other ancestors. Croatia is a land of tradition and new beginnings.

* CJ Craig of West Wing, played by Alison Janney.