Monday in Croatia: day 2 of swimming - Tijat

Got woken by some serious thunder and lightening through the night. A little bit of an ominous sign for the day ahead. 9 o'clock gathering at the boat after breakfast. The sea condition was completely different to yesterday. Very choppy and a little windy. We took off for Otak Tijat. Had a nice long coastal swim in the leeward side of the island. Both groups maintaining a good pace even through the choppier sections. Mary took the opportunity to practice in her wetsuit, conditions were good for that. Sea floor was very interesting in its varying rock formations. Fish shoals vary in size but appear to be a lot larger than yesterday. Stopped off in a sheltered bay for morning tea. Crowds were amused by the 'naturalists' parked in a nearby cruiser. They seemed pretty relaxed and totally ignored any gawking crowds! Lunch on board and then we were ferried to the island which is basically uninhabitated but does have a small cafe (with no toilet facilities). After coffee some took a walk through the island (Lozza and Mary) while others (Viki) choose to have a relax in the shade. The afternoon swim was around the bay. Dan knocked a pair of goggles into the water and did an amazing water entry that created such a splash he swamped the boat. Stephanie got the brunt of it while she was all warm and dry, waiting for her Vaseline application. We started in the less protected section, through to calmer water and then back into the seriously choppy water. Love the challenge! A slightly damp trip back at the end of the day. Viki had a massage which very much appreciated! A lady from Sibenik, Carmen, comes over on the ferry and uses the upstairs area at the hotel. We had a group dinner up at the Illy Cafe, fabulous tapas style menu. Cheese, ham, olives, capers, eggplant tapenade, tuna tapenade, bruschetta, octopus stew, marinaded chicken, barbecued tuna and a crepe for desert. Lovely staff who were very proud of their food. Great evening! Early to bed, ready for the new day......