Mljet

Malo Jezero

Another day, another place we couldn't pronounce.

Fortunately, unlike Krk, this one contains actual vowels. For the record, it's "Mlyeht"...approximately. Unfortunately, by this stage we'd also become those precious Australians who apparently can't cope with a European summer.

Mljet is Croatia's southernmost and most densely forested island, much of its western end protected as a national park since 1960, one of the oldest in the country. The park's centrepiece is a pair of landlocked saltwater lakes, Veliko Jezero and Malo Jezero, connected to the Adriatic by a narrow channel. After handing over our €30 entrance fee, we set off with every intention of completing a 3.5-kilometre walk circumnavigating the smaller of the 2 lakes.

That plan lasted approximately as long as it took to start walking on the dirt trail in full sun. It was pretty, in fact the closest thing to an Australian bush walk we'd encountered all trip — but the objective quickly narrowed to a single, non-negotiable goal: reach the swimming point on Veliko Jezero and get in the water.

The water was a lovely temperature, impossibly clear and blissfully refreshing. We floated around for what must have been a record amount of time ashore, finally making our way back to the yacht at the positively respectable hour of 11 a.m.

By now, the crew knew us almost as well as we knew the cocktail menu. A margarita for Mal. A mocktail for me.

They had also taken on board one of Mal's suggestions. The daily afternoon poolside iced tea rounds now came with an optional side of rum.

I suspect he'll be expecting royalties.

I wish I could get a photo of her with her sails up off the ship!

The seas have been like glass. No movement

Lots of small tour boats, each taking about 30 passengers for week long journeys up and down the coast

The National Park entrance ticket booth. There is also one right at the swimming point near the lake

Map of the island

First glimpse of the lake

Hey...are we on the Sam King Oval loop?!

Not too crowded

There was a channel that links the big and little lakes. It was fun swimming through it

You might think this is a table for 4. No...this is Malcolm not being to decide what he wants to eat for lunch

Dessert onboard are delish. Small portions make them easy to enjoy!