Kaitlyn’s visit may have only been six short nights, but she packed a whole ocean of memories into her time aboard Kora. And let’s be clear: this was huge. Our girl has a history of motion sickness and has managed to throw up in just about every major waterway in the world, so her signing up for a week of life on the Med was a brave leap. Not only did she survive it – she thrived, and she’s already planning to come back next year. Stellar!
She might be our quiet, studious daughter – but on Kora, Kaitlyn brought the fun! Between sneaking last swims in the Med, lazing on deck with Nanna, keeping our Apple Music alive, watching the sails with an eagle eye, and tossing lines to shore with minute accuracy, she quickly made herself part of the crew.
Lunch time featured the new family ritual: fresh rolls, cheese, and lunch meat on deck. The problem? Everything comes in packs of five. Rolls, cheese slices, ham. What happens when Kaitlyn leaves and we’re back to four? The math just doesn’t add up!
Even with “relaxation mode” switched on, Kaitlyn kept her academic world spinning. Thanks to Starlink, she submitted assignments and even ran a late-night lab meeting from the cockpit of Kora – talk about commitment!
In Kaštela, we mixed in simple joys: casual walks into town with Croatia’s dramatic mountains as a backdrop, and yes, a stealth gelato run with Doug (busted!). A family dinner out capped it off – no Italy for Kaitlyn this year, but pizza by the Adriatic came close enough. And of course, sunset views that no photo could do justice.
Kaštela itself made for the perfect drop-off point. Unlike Split’s pricey, hectic marinas – with their narrow fairways and 45 min treks to the airport – Kaštela is a gem. Just 20 minutes by car from Split Airport, cheaper, calmer, and with plenty of shops to provision for the next legs. Alternatively, Trogir’s dinghy dock is a five-minute stroll from the airport, as is the ferry dock with options to get to many Croatian islands. (For the truly adventurous? You can go full Bond like Kaitlyn and arrive by private water taxi.)
And then, all too soon, it was 4 a.m. A sleepy wave goodbye on the dock, promises to return, maybe with a friend in tow. For someone who isn’t exactly “born for boat life,” Kaitlyn proved herself more than seaworthy. This time she was the center of our world aboard Kora ❤️, and we wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Next year, Kaitlyn? Same deck, same sails, same fresh rolls – plus those Lego blooms you promised. Maybe get your sister to tag along too next time 😘
