Rab, Croatia: Boating, Belly Dancing and Beyond

Already I can tell I will love Rab, both the name of the island and the town where we sail into the marina we’ll call home for two nights. As small and quaint as it is, Rab boasts no less than four bold stone towers, all visible from our approach. Once docked, we all head happily into town, a short walk away, around the intimate horseshoe-shaped bay. The waitress is so gruff, but in an impossibly charming way, I find myself giggling at her constant upselling. She offers to cater our breakfast the next day on our sailboat when we decline her insistence on returning the next morning.

A boy and his umbrella, under clear skies. Rab, Croatia

Dinner out in Rab

Pre-dawn over the marina of Rab

The next day (after a delicious breakfast on the boat and heavenly cappuccino supplied by Ranka), our guide Gary takes us on an orientation tour of the hilly town and towers. My friend Helene and I exchange knowing glances; we will certainly be returning with our cameras at the ready.

Roaming Rab

Cliff house, Rab, Croatia

Marketplace in the town center of Rab

During that outing later, we find ourselves dipping our toes (OK, calves) in the Adriatic – to obtain the best photography vantage point, of course. And we wish we had our swimsuits on, because this is a family sort of island.

Wading in the Adriatic

Towering over the Adriatic, Rab, Croatia

Ruins with a view, Rab, Croatia

We high-tail it back to the boat, don our suits and take a late afternoon dip in a bay nearby our sea-bound home. There must have been something in the water…or was it the cocktail we had later back in town with our host? Either way, as we drink tequila and Proseco with our new boat mates, we are somehow inspired – or compelled – to belly dance! I’m missing it, being away from home and classes for weeks, and well…the setting is so exotic and alluring and the music so enticing…

Dusk at the marina, Rab, Croatia

Me and Helene shimmying on the dock of the marina. Rab, Croatia

Helene and I deck out the best we can and give an impromptu performance to an audience of not only our sailing crew and friends, but to several other boatloads of people as well. I haven’t the good sense to feel self-conscious. I’m dancing in the glowing early evening light of Croatia, glancing over at the biggest tower silhouetted against the sunset. It is magic. And I think our audience doesn’t mind overly much. 🙂

We are all thus inspired to dance…but first – dinner! We eat on the boat belowdecks, and then we all dance in the galley as well. Pictures are not permissible. (Hey, we’re not all professional dancers!) We continue the party at a local disco that doesn’t seem ready for us. It was a suuper fun night and we make it safely back around the horseshoe harbor without any spontaneous, unplanned swimming.

Triathalon:

The next day…another triathalon. After a breakfast of scrambled eggs and prosciutto (my new favorite) Helene and I walk from the marina for about 5 miles to rendez-vous with the our sailboat at a pre-designated cove.

So many bays, so many ways.. to get there - through the dense brush!

This really tests our teamwork and navigation skills, especially as there was no footpath through the dense brush to the private beach.  Then, having successfully spotted our friends, we stuff our cameras and gear in a dry sack, and swim out to the boat, moored lazily in turquoise waters.

Easy trails cross the island of Rab, Croatia

Helene on the paddle board in our secret cove, Rab, Croatia

For the 3rd leg of the athletic event, after a bountiful fresh lunch, we paddle around said lagoon on a paddle board. As reward, we bask in the sun on deck in various modes of dress (ahem) as our capable skipper Luka hauls anchor, brings us chocolate and sparkling water, and sets sail on the glassy seas for our next stop….which is? Frankly, I’m not concerned. I trust it will be more amazingness.

Happy at the helm, sailing Croatia

For more adventures in Croatia, you might also like Cheers and Cheerful Cherries in Cres, Croatia

and on the Right Path Adventures site, I’ve written about Roving Rovinj: Soccer Players, Sailing Croatia, and a Salty First Kiss

and “Sailing Pilates” and Other Travel and Leisure Fitness Tips from Captivating Croatia

All photos by Gina Stark, unless I’m in them

*Special thanks to Gary Scott and his crew for inviting me to experience Croatia in this unique and exhilarating way – via sailboat, on yet another of his customized, boutique tours.