Summer's officially arrived with the Makarski Jadran cruise ship
The period after midday in Jelsa is usually a time when peace is descending on the main square just off the waterfront. However busy the morning may have been with the arrival of visitors by bus, boat, bicycle, most people, including the locals, have drifted away from the cafes and off to lunch.
Today the normal quiet was shattered by a sudden burst of VERY LOUD MUSIC, which came from the direction of the harbour. No prizes for guessing where it came from, there's only one possible source for 'O Sole Mio' played at full volume.
It had to mean the Makarski Jadran was in. Evidently I'd arrived in Jelsa too late for the first Grand Arrival on the Jelsa scene for this summer, but there was no mistaking the departure. The music which blares from this last word in pleasureboat is often accompanied by a passable vocal contribution from the captain. Very often it's someone's birthday, celebrated by an unforgettably spirited version of 'Happy Birthday to You' in English, but on this occasion he stuck to 'O Sole Mio'.
I set off at speed from the peace of the Total Hvar HQ to record the event, accompanied by Total Hvar Mini Junior. She put in a good sprint and so caught the Jadran while it was still within the harbour. Trailing lamely behind, I recorded its proud, distinctive (now decorative) fishing nets heading out towards Vrboska on the return leg to Makarska.
Summer is officially here! and may the Jadran rule the waves with frolic and majesty through the whole season, as it has for many years.
