Next year, I'm going to this:
I decided right now. Well, kinda. I HAD heard about it before now, from my friend who went last year (and is there again this year because it is THAT good) and wanted desperately to go then. But now, after seeing more Facebook posts creep onto my feed from others that are there now, my conviction has grown even stronger. Rock solid, in fact. Basically, to sum it up from my observations, it is a luxury rager on a worldly scale. And every part of that statement appeals to me.
First things first, let me explain to you what it is:
1. You gather a large group of friends who you trust to be "cool" (meaning, not lame or dramatic). This is important because you will being sharing VERY close quarters them, lest things get awkward or uncomfortable, which leads me to my second point.
2. You need to get on procuring a yacht of some sort. This probably sounds like an impossible feat but actually it's not. Don't be mistaken, it's not a necessarily a walk in the park, but with the right amount of people, this can be affordable to even the common folk, like me. There are a number of sites out there that offer yacht charters in those parts. Don't know how to sail? Most charter companies provide a skipper as part of their package (love that)! I'm giving you the link to Yachts and Friends, to get you started.
3. Then, blah blah, you need to book your flight (unless you live in Croatia- but let's be realistic, if you're still reading this post, on this blog, you don't).
4. Finally, and this is most important, you need to party like it's 1989! Because that was the height of yacht snobbiness and giant shoulder pads and badly shaped champagne flutes. It's also two years after the movie "Overboard" with Goldie Hawn came out, and I just really don't think there's a better portrayal of yacht culture than that. (Oh, don't tell me you're more of a fan of the 1950's style yachting, a la Jackie O. and Mr. JFK, that comes off as a bit, I don't know... perfect?). You are? Well then, fine. Either way, YOLO people!
Just in case that thorough explanation didn't make it crystal clear to you what it is (or clear at all), perhaps this video will help:
Not your speed? Maybe this one is:
One thing you should know... Due to the immense popularity of the Croatia
Yacht Week, the authorities that be, have now established two routes (the red
route and the black route). Each route circulates around to the pre-determined
Croatian islands, but on different days, to accommodate the masses of sea
yachters (der, it sounds like "sea otters", der). Here are the
islands on the itinerary, for your
reference:
Set sail from the marina in Split, the country's oldest city
You will be heading towards the town and island of Vis (windward, we presume) where you will most definitely want to attend the welcome night party of epic proportions
Komiza is next. A quaint and untouched little fishing village that offers delightful waterfront restaurants, boutiques and of course, ice cream shops (yay!) It also promises yet another party at the open air beach club.
Then you will head to the Natural Bay area where you can sail your heart out around to various smaller bays like Scedro, Palmmizana Bay or Livka Bay.
Hello hotties.
Following all that biznaz, you'll be on your way to Hvar, dubbed the St. Tropez of Croatia. Need I say more?
And finally there is Sesula on Solta Island, one of the most popular spots on the tour, I hear, for reasons I wasn't quite able to discern. Just trust me, ok.
And, (this is straight from The Yacht Week webpage, where I mined all these pictures from), "on Fridays, we arrange a regatta for all the yachts"... and on Wednesdays, we wear pink. If you know anything about Regattas, you know that even better than race itself, is the party afterward. Get excited!
But don't be putting all your party eggs in one basket, as partying is scheduled throughout the whole week (as you may have already noticed), including the open-air beach club party, the "party on the rocks" and the Old Fort party, which takes place in Fort King George III, built in 1812 by the English commander of Vis. Um, amazing!
Here is a very, very extraordinary sailboat (I love it so much I put it as the background picture on my phone) that has what I like to call "yacht appeal." (Even though it may not technically be considered a “yacht”). Sexy, right?
What do we think folks, Yacht or Not? I vote, definitely YACHT!
Ok, and as promised, a Yacht Rock playlist. But FIRST.... I get to explain to you what "yacht rock" is, in the rare event that you didn't already know. Yacht Rock was an online video series following the fictionalized lives and careers of American soft rock stars of the late 1970s and 1980s series based on a concept highlighting the incestuous recording careers of Steely Dan, Toto, The Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins, and Michael McDonald, among others. The term basically relates to the stereotype of the yuppie yacht owner, enjoying smooth music while out for a sail. But most significantly, it happens to be one of my all time favorite "genres." So, cherish this playlist, ladies and gentlemen, because it's pure gold:
1. “I’m All Right” by Kenny Loggins
2. “Rosanna” by Toto
3. “Ride Captain Ride” by Blues Image
4. “Biggest Part of Me” by Ambrosia
5. “Rich Girl” by Hall & Oates
6. “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” by Steely Dan
7. “Sailing” by Christopher Cross
8. “I Keep Forgettin” by Michael McDonald
9. “This Is It” by Kenny Loggins
10. “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall & Oates
11. “I’m Not in Love” by 10cc
12. “Lido Shuffle” by Boz Scaggs
13. “Peg” by Steely Dan
14. “Private Eyes” by Hall & Oates
15. “What a Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers
16. “Baby Come Back” by Player
17. “This is It” by Kenny Loggins
18. “Reelin in the Years” by Steely Dan
19. “I Can’t Go for That” by Hall & Oates
20. “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins
(20 Songs! Oh wait.... did you think I was joking about loving this genre?)
So, are you feeling a little "Naughty-cal" after reading this post? Maybe you want to buy some of my
hand-etched, Nautical Wine Glasses?
Certainly, their fancy
appearance and large bowl is in keeping with the necessary yacht attitude that
one should adopt..?
Ok, promise me you'll at least think about it :).
Now... Race you to The Yacht Week booking page for 2014!
