Our second day in Croatia was somewhat leisurely, a welcome change from the activity-filled days of the past week. In the morning, the crew did their best to capture the light breeze for a morning of sailing, while our local guide Marijana, a native of Dubrovnik, offered a presentation on the history of Croatia. We spent the rest of the morning either on deck, enjoying unforgettable views of the Croatian coastline, or browsing the ship’s boutique.
Shortly after lunch, Sea Cloud docked at the Croatian town of Korčula, on the island of the same name. This charming medieval town, dotted with small yet elegant churches, features quaint, narrow streets arranged in a herringbone pattern for defense. The island was known for its high-quality limestone, and expertly-carved capitals, balustrades, and sculptures, liberally distributed throughout the city, form a lasting testament to the expertise of the region’s stonemasons.
The highlight of our day was an early-evening, private exhibition of Moreška, a traditional form of drama and dance dating back to the Renaissance period. Sometimes referred to as “sword dancing,” this art form includes mock fighting with steel weapons, the clashing of which produced both bright sparks and a frightful din. With dialogue performed in the 17th-century Korčula dialect, such exhibitions are a crucial element of the preservation of traditional Balkan language and culture in this region.
