We are on the island of Lošinj (low-shin) after a quiet ride across the Adriatic from Rab. We left at 9:40, and by 10:00 they broke out the bottle of aperitif and poured us all a shot of sweet orange marshmallow stuff. The on board bar was open before we even left and most everyone had already quaffed a beer or two. So we shrugged and joined in, fortifying our constitution for the second time this morning.
I looked, but we saw no dolphins on the way, much to Gail’s disappointment.
We cruised past Otok (island) Laganj. They are little low sand piles, or perhaps just limestone ridges? sticking a few feet out of the water, with one tree. I'd hate to be shipwrecked there.
On past Otok Trstenik with its little lighthouse.
Gail and I are talking about how people ask us, "You are from California and you are visiting here (Croatia)? Why?"
What do we answer?
That we want to see the world?
Why not?
It's different here?
We like the food and lifestyle?
Really I have no good answer except "pffft."
So we just drank our beer and cruised along.
Here are the details on how to do it:
We left Rab on a tour boat at 9:40 and arrived in port on Losinj at 11:40 after a smooth, direct trip. Only 34 kilometers across, rather than the 116+ kilometers going the normal route via boat and bus. Cost was 200 kuna total, vs. 300-500 kuna for the longer trip.
I am not 100% sure, but it looks like you can connect direct, Rab to Losinj via boat tours, all five weekdays. The Eros sails on M W Fri, and the other tour company on T Th. I don't know if a Sat or Sun crossing is possible. However I would look at possibly hiring one of the local water taxis. They'd probably like the work and I don't see how it could be much more expensive than the ferry and bus route. Plus you factor in the time saved.
You can buy the crossing direct from the ship’s captain, or talk to one of the tour offices along the waterfront and they will call the captain direct for you. That is a good option because the tour office people have better language skills. (ie: better English.)
We were not dropped right in the center harbor of Mali Losinj. The ship tied up to a little dock in a back bay and we walked 15 minutes, via sidewalk and road, over a slight hill into town. It was hot. You could have a water taxi meet the tour boat and take you round instead. See the map to see where you are dropped.
I would go this way again in a heartbeat.
Right now I am deciding to wait on buying ferry tickets to Unije and seeing if perhaps we can catch a ride with a local fishing boat? Perhaps get fresh fish lunch on top of it?
Or… we will take the ferry.