Toddlers Belt Buckles

Solo sea kayaking expedition on the Adriatic Sea

Let us begin with a brief overview of my solo sea kayaking expedition ...

goal 7 islands on the Adriatic Sea in Croatia alone

Mission: about 120 km in 5 days / stages

Farthest distance between 2 Islands: 16 km
sea depth: up to about 120 m
waves: up to 5 meters
Weather: 30-35 C °, sunny, Bura (severe dry, cold downward wind)

water to crystal clear about 10 meters visibility

kayak: Prijon Touryak

Boat Name: Bura

Tools: a map (no compass, no GPS, no radio)

command center: Jogi from http://www.seakayak.hr/

... and my Thanksgiving ...

Allen ahead I would like to thank all my heart my very good friend and Croatian organizer "Jogi" from http://www.seakayak.hr/ . He helped me from start to finish in pretty much all the organizational things that have made my kayak expedition. I also thank his family, which made me feel at home. My special thanks go to the canoe club in Frankfurt , especially my coach Steffi and my coaches and of course, Timo and Volker Hans-Georg. You put me in the past 12 months, the most important things in this expedition. Many thanks also to my good friend, Anila, me from Germany with "short messages" motivated :-)

And now I hope you enjoy my solo sea kayak expedition on the Adriatic Sea ...

days -9 / Tuesday, August 3 / flight to Croatia

15kg luggage including my private paddle plus a large portion of my concerns Project came after about one hour flight from Stuttgart in Rijeka, in Croatia.

Jogi, my Croatian Seekajakanbieter had looked after by a chauffeur. After a two-hour drive along the beautiful coast, I arrived at Jogi, home on the island of Rab, on. Day-decorated general getting to know, Dad's self-burnt honey brandy (aka Viagra), homemade wine and a delicious dinner with Croatian Jogi.

was especially surprised me about his sea kayak Prijon arsenal of 20-25 boats. Even more surprised I was fair about his prices.
For those paddlers, whether beginners, advanced has or expert, who want to conquer the sea in professional guidance, Jogi BCU 4 guides certified at the start. Multi-day tours, he also lists himself.

the end of the day we sat in a relaxed atmosphere in which I have met Florian, girlfriend, family and moto boat. This Quartet is now for 30 years once a year after Jogi-tia. That speaks for itself.

Prijon far as the eye

days -8 / Wednesday, August 4 / paddled: 12 Km

Touryak or Kodiak or rather Touryak better or Kodiak? Which boat I use for the 7-day expedition? The warm-up ride of about 12 Km on 2 days along the island of Rab with Eric & Florence from France, presented himself as a "good idea" out. For the selected Prijon Kodiak would become my lack of space for torture. With a snorkel break, we still have a Oktobus in just 3 meters discovered. The first view from the sea to the mainland proved to be a breathtakingly beautiful.
(M) a conclusion: I love this country!

warm-up trip to Florence and Eric

view of Rab

day -7 / Thursday, August 5 / paddled: about 3 km

spirit of optimism, followed by 90% voltage and 10% fear what to expect the next 7 days. Perhaps there were also 90% anxiety and 10% tension, but that was just the great thing.

On orders from my master yogi, I prepared myself for the last 2-3 hours, both technically and mentally for the trip. Then a meeting last route followed with precise detail where I could or should be when. The schedule was therefore relatively fixed.

With Bura, that was the selected Touryak, it went to the harbor. There I was expecting a friend of Jogi with his big ship that would take me from Rab to about 50 Km away Start Mali Losinj. The captain was amazed at my project contributed to an increase in the mentioned 90%.

Likewise, the passengers, whom I met on board. Hmm passengers ... People ... Souls ... had I known at this time that I will see the next 2 days not a man anymore, I would have hugged every single again.

my boat to the island of Losinj

accounted for half an hour before the arrival of all souls on board acquaintance with a wind velocity of up to 40 knots (75 mph). That was enough to produce about 4-5 meter high waves. But Captain Garcia each mastered with flying colors.

Almighty, there is brewing something together

the Wind

Gone arrival at the port of Mali Losinj , boat unload, load up and into the water for 3 km away, camping, mind you in heavy rain. Half way the horn boomed a 15 meters long and 20 meter sailing yacht. "Have I done something wrong ???". No, absolutely not, as it turns out, had Dominiko, the friendly owner this monster, only the intention to drag me to my destination with a leash. The offer I accepted with thanks, enjoyed the rest of km at 15-20 km / h and vowed, however, to make the rest of the tour no longer use such occasions :-)

A festive Supper, unpacking and putting up the tent decorated for the evening.
Before I left Rab Jogi asked me to send him every evening after reaching a via a text message with the status and location. To which he would then provide me with weather information for the next day.

This SMS's, to which I am every day really pleased, I would not keep from you.

Danny: Hi Buddy, arrived in Polyana. It's raining :-) I love it. Please update if I can send to channel cross Losinjski Baldarin tomorrow. Best regards, Daniel.

Jogi: Glad you are there. Northeast wind to 12 knots and changing direction to north west. you will see it but I think you can. Style rain in morning.

Good night ... chrrrrrrrrrrr ....

day -6 / Friday, August 6 / paddled about 35 km

kicked off ... also my first knowledge of the first stage between the island of Mali Losinj, the largest island in the Adriatic Sea - Cres . Namely, marine miles are more than river-Km Km. After about 7 km quermeerein, at about 1 meter high waves that were threatening me hinauszuspülen the open sea, I appealed to 1 ½ hours non-stop paddling for a lunch break. eat cooking, drying clothes and off we went to leave the beautiful coast of Croatia's largest island along.

says it's "only" 7 miles away ...

... after "this" 7 km in the Bay and "the drain"

My cooking utensils

John 6, verse 20 :-)

a deserted island ...

found 21 miles out later I realized that I am 7 miles paddled too far, since coordination with a simple "land" cards proved to be difficult. It was completely exhausted in a huge remote bay turn over the quarter. It is worth mentioning that are inhabited by about 1200 islands, only 4%.

... and even a deserted island

My temporary base for the night ...

... Tent on it and is good!

Thanks to the excellent coverage I sent my usual text message to Jogi ...

Danny: Hi Buddy, I think I paddled to far. Now I am or in U. Koromaona Rt.Sv.Duh. No more power left :-) here are many sheeps. Can I rest here? Please update weather.

Jogi: Yes, Koromacna is fine. Weather good. Northwest and northeast wind to node 14. Enjoy. Hope is all good.

Good night ... so I thought. The remote area was completely perceive me every tiny sound of Mother Nature. That was very weird and strange ...

days -5 / Saturday, August 7 / paddled: 20 Km

After a relatively short I enjoyed the night at dawn. I was surprised, however, about the 3 sheep which licked my Touryak.

It was followed by a delicious breakfast with vitamin C (an important ally on this trip) and freshening up at the beach. Stage 2 began.

past huge rock walls with an equally huge cave, accompanied me always prophesied Jogi vulture with a wingspan of 2.5 meters, brrr ... It brought me the heart to disappoint this fellow patient in the sky. But I just did not want to serve as their dinner.

start of geirigen Cres-rock walls

The largest and most beautiful cave of my tour. ..

... in which I would even be able to spend the night quietly, hmpf

What an incredible and fascinating sight

Me :-)

Finally solid ground under their feet

A few miles further, subjected to few hundred meters away about a dozen dolphins, including babies past me. From Jogi I knew that dolphin mothers have the characteristic approach of boats to shoot and shortly beforehand drunterweg diving. That means something like "last warning, to see 'that you gain water." So I was good at a safe distance, especially since I had relatively strong current.

The next big bay virtually invited for a late lunch. Furthermore, in this bay several yachts with "man" to be found. After about 2 days of absolute solitude, I longed almost back to people. Without further ado, I decided to build up my quarters here.

PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!!! Is that reassuring ...

... hmmmm

A little laundry and wash myself, dinner and status and by SMS to Jogi ...

Danny: Hi Jogi. Am now in Kruscica. Will try to get to tomorrow ŠKRILA. How is weather for sea crossing from Plavnik? Cheers, Daniel.

Jogi: Good weather is, just go slower, enjoy more. Cheers.

Good N8.

days -4 / Sunday, August 8 / paddled: 17 km

stage, the 3rd ...

Finally back to push a quiet night without a guard. The yachts in the bay calmed down tremendously. An insight that has me caught up with some delay was that Troubles always the result of their own imagination rather than on facts. However, I have little things helped, gave a somewhat familiar, for example, a shave, a favorite perfume or book and good memories.

Furthermore, I was overcome by the one thought that my tour so far to 60-70% pure mind game, and only 20-30% of muscle substance and were paddling technique. The are capped with my motto, that the energy always follows the attention. One finding is mentioned there. I learned that day how important it is to accept things as they are "just" (eg abrasions, strains, muscle tension and, not least, loneliness). What's not to say that one should give a long-term satisfied with everything. But for the moment it looks very very liberating. So and now enough of philosophizing.

It was nice to watch again and again, for how much attention as a yellow, 5 feet long can provide Seekajakchen. Viewed from the right and left tens of meters long luxury yachts comparatively tiny Bura and my me ... nice :-)

Before departure from the island of Cres to the next waypoint, I sit down again and checked the status quo. It specified a total of 7 islands in 6 days to happen. Abbreviations were not provided, emergency scenarios did not exist. In addition to be flown by helicopter to the hospital.

up to my current target - the island of Krk - the island was Plavnik happen. Overall, the total would have been 19 km. To save 2 km, I decided to scratch halfway Plavnik the island far away. Sun waiting for me quermeerein about 16 km and the island of Krk moved after 2 hours of paddling is not just closer. I was under the impression that they wegpaddelte front of me ... Hmph!

Finally, after nearly 3 hours of paddling was my first public campground in sight. Intermediate term, I died several deaths, my shoulder muscles had bye.

check in, set up tent, Duuuuuuschen !!!!!!!!!, a cold drink !!!!!!!!! What a madness a happy moment. I've never been so pleased with a shower and a cold drink.

From my tent, I can already see the target Rab incredibly nice to have that goal in mind.

my tent neighbors were a family from good old Germany. With them I spent the rest of the evening under the clear and beautiful night sky with over 20 shooting stars and some satellite ... Once again, fascinating in its purest form!

For the first time I took the handset in hand, calls this time but in order to Jogi. I got the hint that I will soon be on target with my current pace for a whole day. In other words, "relax more"! I promised to comply with this advice.

Crystal

Sunset

More Sunset

day -3 / Monday, August 9 / paddled: 0 Km

my knowledge yesterday, watching the people around me who raised the question, why do you always for something needs? Whether it is sleep, eat well, or just paddling. So I took before me, Jogi's advice to heart.
I decided to cancel the 4th stage planned for today. However, since nothing in its purest form is quite difficult in my opinion, I spent the day with my tent neighbors.
We took the car into the city to wakeboarding to a new lift on the sea ... Stuff there. Then it went to the jet ski. With that thing we were not too far of hell. So we sped off for a while with 70 things about the ocean ... fun fun fun!

Sunrise

Relaxing Day

wakeboard-water-plant

If not this is fun :-)

the day I finished with a long-awaited and well deserved 40-minute back massage. Since my shoulder muscles were finally back to me ... ahhhh.

Where is joy, the sorrow there too ... at least according to the law of polarity. In the evening I got the worst case update by SMS Jogi ...

Danny: ŠKRILA is awesome ;-) will paddle tomorrow to San Marino on Disc Can I just pass the channel directly to Rab? How is weather between here and Rab tomorrow? Cheers, Daniel.

Jogi: Bura in the morning, then follow the coastline and to cros Prvic in noon. Do not go straight to Rab!

fact already moved in the night of the feared storm.
My schedule now threatened in the true sense of falling into the water. Concerns accompanied me in the night ...

day -2 / Tuesday, August 10 / paddled: 25 Km

... and I woke the next morning. The wind swirled around my tent like crazy. Nevertheless, it was time to say goodbye to my new friends. The second to last and 4th stage was imminent and my concerns reached the end of my entire paddle their peak.

Jogi's statement to the coast to paddle meant for me "more sea miles". Disgust I had with the Coast To be satisfied as long as Bura raged. In places, the wind was so strong that I paddled on the spot.
Although already in the field of view, seemed to me the target island Rab unattainable.
had to paddle across the sea My plan right after I first emphasize Rab.

left after about 2 hours Bura at last! I seized the opportunity and set sail to the next and last intermediate island of St. Gregory of. 6 km cross over the Adriatic Sea.
Exhausted from fighting Bura morning left me in the middle of the sea, my strength. buck up Focus, focus, purpose and a final Time to give everything, Danny! But I seem to St. Gregory of advanced, formerly a women's prison, not a bit closer. I set myself small goals, praised me every 10-20 meters, collected motivation where and how I could. And when they came ... After 2 hours I trickled into a beautiful bay.
I was welcomed by a curious and very friendly Italian extended family.
roasted by the merciless afternoon sun, they offered me to sit down during my lunch break to them Unters sun roof.
My freshly made pasta "al dente" with Bolognese Sauce impressed the family very much.
After my Kraftreserveren had mobilized for departure, they said goodbye once again. The rest of the way to the island of Rab was comparatively a walk.

The women's prison island of St. Gregory of

arrived in the huge bay of San Marino in Rab, I met jogging.
No, not my master yogi, but a DJ for finest House music from Germany.
He helped me to take my boat to shore. But I helped him to be 6-foot motor boat to pick up. In the evening we went together to the best pizzeria on Disc .. yummy! Fast reached the end of my expedition, I allowed myself a long time back a Pina Collada.
This day was again really tugged at my power and let me feel my limits.

from left: Danny's tent, Bura, jogging's tent

And the last time the communication was via SMS to my command center Jogi ...

Danny: Hi Jogi, am now in San Marino. Will call you tomorrow for pickup at the ferry at Misnjak. I guess weather will be okay for final? Cheers, Daniel.

Jogi: Weather good. See you!

succeeded with his last strength of my way to my sleeping bag and chrrr ...

Finale / Wednesday, August 11 / paddled: 20 Km

Section 5 - stretch!

After an endless tasty watermelon, bread, coffee, and and and it was also here to say bai bai.
I could not really believe that I'm actually back to Rab.
From Master Jogi separated me now only about 20 km along the coast.

Sunrise on the ever drawn-San Marino beach

very close to the Croatian mainland

halfway I learned more about Fritz from Austria, his yacht and his dog. He was kind and shot a few photos of me and my Touryak. I also learned
Fritz everything about GPS, radio & Co. A very modern equipment, which he had on board. My stone-age map was however a less serious impression.

No Photoshop, this is real!

short hair make the deal

Jogi's warning: out for falling boulders and sheep eighth

Fritz, Dog & sailing yacht "Dolphin"

The last lunch

3 km from my destination, I called Jogi, to come pick me up.
fulfilled the reunion with him through my great joy. In the car I told him full Enthusiasm that I had experienced everything on this tour, as he listened to me curious. His family received me with joy and warmth.
the last time we let the evening end in a cozy lap and listened to all interested in my experiences and impressions.
What a trip ...

Last Day / Thursday, August 12 / Return to Germany

The next and last morning in Croatia began.
The night again to spend in a bed was incredibly relaxing.

was after a last breakfast and chat with Jogi now before the bye and travel to Germany.
Despite the many goodbyes of new friends in the last few days, I must confess that I am taking leave of my master Jogi was not easy.
top of this, I still could not realize what I had achieved the last few days and experienced. The one was certain, I'll be back, but then in the company!
A journey that I was replaced. By far, I can say these 9 days are definitely the best of my life so far.

I hope you enjoyed this report on my solo sea kayaking expedition. Maybe I could even raise your interest in kayaking.
If you even have time interest in such an expedition should, of course you can always trust you to contact me personally or even to Jogi .

I look forward to your comment.


Ah, and the most important photo into the end ...

Jogi, little Sunshine and Me

Love,

Daniel Andersen