Elaphite Island Cruise (2): Šipan and Lopud
This post continues and concludes my ramblings about the day cruise I took to the Elaphite Islands. The first post covered the morning, including a stop at Koločep and lunch. This post covers the afternoon, including visits to the islands of Šipan and Lopud.
Let’s go.
Šipan

As occurred before we arrived at the island of Koločep, the morning’s one stop, a disembodied voice provided some information about Šopan before we got there. But that was after lunch.
Lunch included wine. I assume that was the reason people talked a lot more, and much more loudly, than in the morning. And they didn’t stop talking during the announcement. Consequently, I didn’t hear much about Šipan.
I had my share of wine. But I’m a reasonably quiet drunk, particularly when I’m not with anyone I know. Which is usually the case. Bully for me.

Šipan appeared to me to be somewhat more populated than Koločep. And somewhat less scenic, but only somewhat. The cruise operator gave us only 45 minutes on Šipan. So I didn’t get to get to explore much.
A few restaurants with outdoor tables serve customers near the port. Although, I only assume they serve customers. I didn’t frequent any of them. For all I know, the people at the tables might have been actors hired to make the establishments look busy and they shoo real customers away. But that doesn’t seem like a good business model to me so they likely do indeed serve customers.
Unlike on carless Kiločep that I visited this morning, there are a few cars on Šipan. But the only ones I saw were parked. Maybe they’re just for show like the actors at the restaurants. Probably not.
One thing that struck me is the water there is so clear that the small craft at the little port seemed to not so much float in the water as above it. The water was invisible between the surface and the bottom.
That floating-above-the-water thing was most likely an illusion. Probably.
I walked a bit inland along a path. Two wineries advertised wine tastings on either side of the path.
Time was short and I had my fill of wine on the boat at lunch so I can’t report on the wines they offer. I have no idea what they have hints of. Then again, I usually can’t tell what wines allegedly have hints of even when I taste them. So you’re not missing anything by me not reporting on them.
Lopud

Of the three stops the cruise made today, the one on the island of Lopud lasted the longest. They gave us almost two and a half hours to explore it.
Lopud is, by far, the most built-up of the islands I visited today. And, because the boat stopped at all three of the only permanently inhabited Elaphite Islands, I assume it’s the most built up of all of the Elaphite Islands. That’s just a guess, but a good one, I think.
A charming old, small stone church sits atop a low hill close to where our boat docked. The church is more impressive from the outside than the inside, but it does have some attractive crystal chandeliers. (The chandeliers are on the inside, of course. So the interior does have that going for it.)

A pedestrian walkway runs beside the U-shaped shore of Lopud near the port. The entrance to Djordjic Mayneri Park is just off that walkway.
Obviously, it’s on the landward side, not the seaward side. Otherwise, Djordjic Mayneri Park would be a marine reserve, not a traditional park. Come on, people. I shouldn’t have to explain these things to you.
The passengers on the boat weren’t as loud as we approached Lopud as they were when we approached Šipan. Maybe the wine wore off and they were ready for naps. So I got to hear most of the introductory announcement.
The announcement described Djordjic Mayneri Park as a botanical garden, as does Google Maps. But, despite “botanical gardens” being lexicographically correct, “arboretum” provides a more accurate mental image. It consists mostly of a wide variety of trees, with only a few flowers.

Whatever you call it, Djordjic Mayneri Park is calming, verdant, and pleasing.
Paths meander higgledy-piggledy through the park. Three rough stone or concrete (I’m not sure which) statues rest unassumingly in one section.
Towards the middle of the park sits a small, circular pool. In it, lethargic goldfish swam leisurely when they weren’t just floating there unmoving, presumably enjoying the day.
At least, I choose to believe they were enjoying the day. If not, what the heck have they got to complain about? I mean, other than being imprisoned in a small, circular pond. But at least I suppose someone feeds them regularly and they don’t have to concern themselves with their retirement savings or dealing with spam and telemarketers.

The park offers plenty of benches where one can rest their tired feet. If their feet aren’t tired, but the rest of their body is, they can rest that too. Or if none of their body is tired, but they just want to sit and contemplate the universe, life, the stock market, or that strange mole that recently formed on their face, they can do that as well. To the best of my knowledge, the park doesn’t enforce any tired-foot-resting-only rules for their benches.
(By the way, if a strange mole did recently form on your face, rather than contemplating it, you should probably see a doctor. Just to put your mind at ease. Or to get it treated if necessary.*)
Šunj Beach
On the other side of the island, a nice, lengthy walk from the port, is Šunj Beach. It’s a long, well-used sandy beach. Small boats anchored offshore bob in the water. A few restaurants and bars sit back from the beach.
By the time I got to Šunj Beach and took a couple of minutes to look around, I had a little less than an hour to get back to the boat. That probably would have been comfortably sufficient to allow me to walk back, but I wasn’t sure.

Six-person (including driver), open-sided taxis shuttle people between the sides of the island for €3 per person each way. I took one of those.
I was the only person wanting to take one when I got to them. The driver waited for enough passengers to fill his seats.
It didn’t take long for him to get his full quota of fares and we were off. But until that happened I naturally feared it would take longer.
Our departure left plenty of time to make it back before the boat left. There was no reason to panic. None whatsoever. But I’m me. Of course, I still panicked.
What I didn’t know is that the taxi goes almost to the other side of the island, but not quite. It was still a ten or so minute walk to the boat. Although, I didn’t know how long or short a walk it was when the taxi driver dropped us off.
Nevertheless, I had more than 40 minutes to catch my boat. So there was still no cause for concern. But, like I said, I’m me. So, well, you know.
I got to the boat with almost half an hour to spare. It left a few minutes late because a group of people were still strolling to the boat at the designated departure time. Almost an hour after leaving Lopud, we docked at the starting point in Dubrovnik’s new port to end my day’s adventure. And so it goes.
*Only a fool would take anything I say as medical advice. That notwithstanding, I think my advice about your newfound mole is valid.
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A stellar blog! Entertaining! Filled with charm! And unnecessary anxiety! Just what we expect from our most treasured travel blogger.
The boat trip seemed idyllic to me, and has confirmed my conviction to retire sooner, rather than later. Let’s raise a glass to that!
Why, thank you!
Cheers!
To quote the previous commenter, “A stellar blog! Entertaining! Filled with charm! And unnecessary anxiety! Just what we expect from our most treasured travel blogger.”
I’ll snooze well tonight, the sea air and bouquet of untasted island wines lulling me to sleep, visions of rugged coastline, stone buildings, and higgledy-piggledy paths meandering through trees in seaside parks dancing just beyond the sheep I’ll be counting.
Thanks?
I’m glad that reading my journal can help you with your slumber.