Day 11 - Ugljan to Pag.

Day 11. Ugljan Island to Pag: 62 km.

Caught the ferry to Zadar and then had to find our way out of Zadar. Fortunately we arrived before the traffic so could stop and check the map on the Ipad. It was the first time that we cycled through the country side rather than along the coast. There were meadows of poppies and other wild flowers interspersed with clusters of stunted evergreen oaks.The route was mostly flat with a few short inclines until we got to the bridge that joins the mainland with Pag island after 31 km.

Pag is so different to what we imagined. It is a long thin island and is barren and strewn with white rocks with a distinct moonscape appearance along the higher rocky outcrops. The stark landscape is as a result of the dry winds coming down from the Dinaric mountains.

The undulating route into Pag wound its way along the coast which gave us beautiful views of the bays and inlets.This island is known for the delicious lamb and sheep's milk cheese. They also produce a significant amount of salt and the salt works can be seen just before you enter the town.

We were surprised to see a ? short toed Eagle soar overhead as well as European Bee eaters hawking insects. We saw quite a few different bird species, many more than we have seen anywhere else to date.

We found a quaint restaurant in Pag serving traditional Pag lamb (like a pot roast), roast potatoes and broad beans - delicious with a carafe of Plavic (WWS 7).

Coffee break and snacking on walnuts and dried figs at Razanac on route to Pag.

Approaching the bridge to Pag Island.

Typical Pag landscape.