Photo 1 - Makarska from the ferry
The route of the stage
The Meteor hotel in Makarska is a large structure with a fabulous swimming pool, almost Olympic size and honestly the food is also very good, which cannot be said about the hotel in Crete, therefore Crete will have won in terms of beaches but food point of view, the Makarska hotel was far superior. It was clear that the food was made on the spot and not prepackaged. Even in the desserts it was felt that the cream was different for each dessert, something that does not happen in other hotels as the preparation cream is all the same, even if with different colors. However, being the night very hot, mosquitoes make their appearance, they most likely feel the weather is about to change. Of course, when changing clothes and leaving what was not needed in the suitcases in the car in Split, we had left the mosquito spray. It is morning and only now in the bathroom, have I managed to do justice, they have won many battles, but I have won the war.
Photo 2 - Makarska port
Photo 3 - Makarska cliffs
Photo 4 - Sailing to Sumartin
Photo 5 - The ferry arriving Sumartin
Photo 6 - Sumartin
It is very early and we are already awake due to a storm and we are already thinking that the day could turn for the worse. But this is not the case. The sun rises and the clouds gradually thin out, leaving the sky clear with boundless visibility. At 9:00 we take the ferry to Brac and disembark in the village of Sumartin. Here, in addition to bananas and water, the hunt for sunscreen begins, which we have finished but, as it is not in season, supermarkets still lack it.
Photo 7 - Ascending to Selza
Photo 8 - Selza square
Fortunately, in the first town we cross, Selza, at the top of a summit, we manage to find a pharmacy and buy an Italian product. We arrive at Gorni Humac, and here I think I have reached the maximum point of altitude at about 420 m in height. We arrive at the crossroads of the road I had chosen for the descent. I check the map, I understand that the road is not all paved, I prefer to continue on the main road in order to avoid surprises that can make me late for the Brac ferry this evening.
Photo 9 - Rural building in middle of Brac island
Photo 10 - The orchide named neotinea tridentata
Photo 11 - The maximum elevation of the day: 578 meters
The road continues to rise, and I am reminded of why I chose the other road when planning the trip, it was clearly because the one we are traveling on now goes much higher. A myriad of orchids line the road and make us happy, despite the too much climb. For three times we were convinced that we had reached the top of Coppi instead we are here where we have reached an altitude of 578. From here the descent begins. We have made some videos with some typical crazy clip of our trips. Swooped on Supetar (San Pietro della Brazza) but, just so as not to lose the training, another beautiful climb, all long that could be seen from a distance even before finishing the long descent. We have called this, not the Coppi peak (the highest point that every year reaches the Giro d’Italia which is dedicated to the most famous Italian cyclist) and not even the Pantani peak (famous Italian cyclist of the more recent past) but, the pantegani peak, in the sense that it was necessary to “pantegare” (break up) to get to the top and we were really at the end of our strength. (for non-Italian friends, pantegare is an onomatopoeic form in the Venetian dialect, to describe the effort of those who go uphill and struggle to breathe, pant, pant, pant! As in Mickey Mouse comics).
Photo 12 - north view of Brac Island
Photo 13 - Leaving by ferry from Brac Island
Photo 14 - The open saloon of ferry
We arrive in time to take the ferry and in the midst of an incredible blue, we sail towards Split. 45 km and 700 meters of elevation gain. Back at the More hotel, we realize that nearby there is a playground where they also sell cotton candy.
Photo 15 - Freedom in the wind
Photo 16 - Split beach
Photo 17 - Cotton candy for children!
Photo 18 - Tanned and happy!
The little girl, who took this tour with me, wanted her cotton candy and was promptly satisfied. We did like this, a nice walk along the sea, since we weren’t tired at all, and Cri ate her nice cone, all full of pink candy floss, which she tasted like strawberry. A few photos by the sea and to our bikes and also to us, and now a well-deserved shower after the twelfth day which also represents the day when we finish wandering with the bags, dedicating the other 3 days to visit two islands and the Krka park, however, without bags.
Tonight, barring unforeseen events, dinner in the center of Split, at the Portofino restaurant that really impressed us for the quality and variety of the food and for its presentation.
Hello everyone and see you tomorrow with the Krka Park, with its waterfalls and lakes.
Have fun with the video of the stage
Aspetto le prossime tappe. Buona serata!
