STAY SAFE WITH VIRTUAL TRAVEL: VISIT VELA STINIVA WITH ME

There will be no travelling during this coronavirus epidemic (#staysafe) for any of us, but we can still travel virtually with the help of technology.  Remember my posts about Mala Stiniva published back in January? On the same day I visited bay Mala Stiniva, I also payed bay Vela Stiniva a visit. As soon as we arrived to Vela Stiniva, I was amazed by the natural beauty of this bay. However, it was already late in the day when we arrived there. Some of the photographs we took were a bit dark. I've been plotting another visit ever since. I wanted to visit this amazing bay and photograph it when the sun is high in the skies. I got my chance a few weeks ago and visited it again. I decided to post about both of my visits in one post.

When we visited this time, the sky was high in the skies. If anything this set of photographs is overexposed. No sunshine missing here. Nevertheless, let me explain why it was important for me to photograph this bay earlier in the day. It's quite a special bay, you see. It is surrounded by magnificent cliffs on both site. Because the cliffs on the right side are so high, there are this amazingly high pine tress (who probably grew so high because they needed to catch the sunshine).  When the sun hits those pine tree tops, why it is quite a magical thing. I wanted to capture it on camera. This time I did.  The cliffs on one side are so high that one side of the way is a perpetual state of shade. This also creates a wonderful contrast on the sea water. The shades of blue and green get mixed up in here. There are some beautiful views in this bay. The richness of the forest that surrounds it is a wonderful contrasts to the bare cliffs on the left side. This bay is really unique. The road to it is quite lovely as well. Vela Stiniva belongs to Zastražišće village and it is not far from the village itself. I explained that most of the villages are situated on the middle of the island with bays on both sides. The bays typically 'belong' to a certain village, that is they belong to the people in the village or their descendants. The reasons for that is that people typically had one house in the village that was further away (because of the pirates and other practical concerns) and the other in one of the bays.
MAGNIFICENT BAY VELA STINIVA ON ISLAND HVAR -  NATURAL BEAUTY THAT TOOK MY BREATH AWAY 

 
THE STORY OF AN OUTFIT- HOW I WORE IT BEFORE
This was a comfy styling. All of these items I have had for some time (years actually). I don't really have that much to say about this particular outfit besides that it features some of my all times favourite items. I like  to link up my items to the previous ways how I wore them to promote sustainability.
The grey coat:Well, this coat is actually black and white (patterned) but it looks grey so I call it my grey coat. I recently wore it here and here. I blogged about five way to style it here.
The blue jeans: I have recently blogged about 30 plus ways to wear this pair of jeans. 
The green vest. I wear this west pretty often. You can see how I styled it here, here , here,  here here and here).
The white sneakersyou can see how I styled these sneakers in the past with a dress here, with blue jeans and a blazer here,  with burned orange jeans here and with an all sporty styling here and with ripped jeans here
The red top with flared sleeves: See how I styled it here, here, here and here 
The scarf: You can see how I wore it herehereherehere and here

THE CHAPEL OF SAINT ANTHONY IN BAY VELA STINIVA
I couldn't find the name of this chapel online earlier today, but I had taken a wild guess and said it was devoted to saint Anthony. Most chapels here are devoted to Saint Anthony. I persisted in online research and found that the chapel is indeed devoted to Saint Anthony. I was right. Saint Anthony is very popular with Croatian people and there must be thousands of chapels devoted to him on Croatian islands. I actually ran these photography by my grandmother because I want to know which of the houses in this bay are really old and  which ones are newer. My grandmother  confirmed that some of these stone houses are quite old and that the chapel of Saint Anthony is very old as well. There are also some newer houses in this bay. It is not a large bay so it is impressive they have their own chapel. It is a beautiful white chapel as well. It fits the architecture of this place perfectly. I'm not sure how old it is, probably something like a hundred years or more. The steps leading toward it are very pretty. I love how authentic it looks but that to be expected since it is actually an authentic and historical chapter. Not surprisingly, it is absolutely perfect.


 WHERE THE GREEN MEETS THE BLUE- THE MAGIC OF VELA STINIVA
Let's talk a bit about the etymology. How did this bay get its name? Vela Stiniva has a similar name like Mala Stiniva. There is also a famous beach Stiniva on island Vis that has a cult following. I would say that Stiniva on island Vis is the most famous of all Stiniva beaches. So, what is it with these names? Stina actually means a rock in Dalmatian dialect (stijena in standard Croatian) so that is probably how the name was formed. Vela means big (again in dialect, in standard Croatian it would be velika), possibly it is named thus to diference it from a small beach with similar cliffs (you know Mala Stiniva I already blogged about). Stiniva on island Vis boosts with similar vertical cliff as does bay Vela Stiniva. What makes this bay so special- apart from its obvious beauty? Well, for one the amazing pine trees and the giant vertical stones that encompass this bay. These picturesque cliffs contrast with the softness of Adriatic sea beautifully. This beach also offers a wonderful view on island Brač. This is where the blue meets the green to form something truly beautiful. Rocks and the sea. Pine trees and the beach. Whiteness of the stones contrasting the majestic blueness and greenness of the sea. Pure delight to witness, and it is somewhat visible even on photographs. 
 
PHOTOGRAPHS FROM MY FIRST VISIT THIS YEAR (BACK IN WINTER TIME) & THE STORY OF MY OUTFIT
Now it is time to share my photographs from my first visit to this place. My first visit was back in January, the same day I visited Mala Stiniva. I already blogged about the outfit, but here are the links again in case you're wondering about some of these items.
The cherry print dress: You can see how I styled it for summer  here and here. You can also can check out this post where I wore this dress with a yellow bag, or this post where I paired it with an oversize hat and kitten heels to make it more sophisticated. Here is a similar outfit, but with wedges. If you are the type that loves fun hand made accessories, check out this post where I wore this dress with hand made cat ears. I really wear it a lot (most recently worn here).
The black blazer: I do wear this blazer often, sometimes as a part of the suit but even more often as a separate suit. See proof hereherehere here , here and here
The scarf: You can see how I wore it herehereherehere 
The brown faux leather coat: I devoted a special post to this coat here.
The dad sneakers: I already linked them up with a previous outfit..

LINKS TO MY PREVIOUS POSTS ABOUT ISLAND HVAR

That would be all for today. As always thank you for visiting and commenting. Have a lovely weekend. Stay safe!

Comments

  1. This really is a natural beauty. Definitely miss traveling and exploring new places.

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  2. What a lovely place!
    HAPPY WEEKEND AT HOME
    xoxo
    http://stylishpatterns.blogspot.com

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  3. The water is so clear. It's almost a beautiful place. Stay well and save.

    xoxo Sabine

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  4. Beautiful photos and this looks like a magical place! Thank goodness we can still travel (and stay in touch!) virtually!
    Stay safe and well
    Julia x
    https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/

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  5. Really like your spring photos. So I want to travel now, but so far only virtually in quarantine.

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  6. Great photos and you look amazing. :-D

    Street View is great for virtual walking isn't it! I sometimes pick a random places and go onto Street View!

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  7. Dearest Ivana,
    it was very nice to travel virtually with you. The bay looks fantastic with its pine trees all around and the cliffs and the crystal clear water. I also like your outfits - it is always good to combine all-time favorites with one another: this creates favorite outfits and you will always look good in them. I also like the chapel very much. And you could link it to "Novas Bell Tower Linkup". Nova lives in Tenerife and collects bell towers once a month, so your post goes very well with it: https://casa-nova-tenerife.blogspot.com/2020/04/glockenturm-102.html
    Warm Easter greetings 🐰
    Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2020/04/von-bluhhugeln-und-katzen-von.html

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  8. Oh it looks like such a lovely place to visit and have some quiet time! The water looks so amazingly blue xo

    Gemma | Makeup Muddle

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Gemma. It is a lovely place to visit.

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  9. That is just an absolutely gorgeous place! Wow, I can see why you wanted to go back - the water is so much greener-looking a month later when the sun is higher in the sky. The steep cliffs and the clarity of the water are just breath-taking.

    I like your etymology of the name(s) - I have a bachelor's degree in Linguistics, so that always interests me. Love your casual outfits - you always look put-together and chic, no matter what you're wearing!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Sheila. Etymology can be such an interesting topic.

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  10. what beautiful photos, I loved the jacket.

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  11. What an amazing place Ivana. I love how you captured the color of the water...and the bay is so pretty. Especially with the sunshine rays shining down.
    XOOX
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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  12. It looks like such a gorgeous place to visit!! And you look amazing.
    Stay safe and healthy.

    Infinitely Posh

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  13. It looks like such a beautiful place to visit! it's a shame we can no longer visit as many places now :(

    Hope that you are having a lovely Easter weekend :)

    Away From Blue

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  14. Amazing place!
    Happy Easter
    https://antonellabasile.blogspot.com/

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  15. Oduševljena sam ovim mjestom i definitivno je jedno od onih, koje bih podsjetila, nakon što prođe ovo ludilo oko korone. Divno virtuelno putovanje i sjajan post.❤️

    Sweet-dreams-14.blogspot.com

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  16. What a dreamlike place, Ivana! The colours of the water are almost surreal. I love the photos with the sunlight dancing upon the water. I can fully understand why you wanted to return earlier in the day to capture the bay at its most stunning. The little chapel is very picturesque as well. And it's so lovely to know more of the etymology. I find things like that quite fascinating. xxx

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    Replies
    1. Yes, this place is indeed dream like. I feel like I'm dreaming half the time here.

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  17. Beautiful place. Happy Easter

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  18. Amazing pics, dear Ivana! Vela Stiniva looks fantastic. As far as I can remember I've never been on the north side of Hvar. I missed a lot ;-)
    You look gorgeous again. Love both outfits, especially the cherry print dress looks so cute.

    I wish you happy Easter and all the best, Nadine <3

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Nadine. I wish you all the best too.

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  19. Such beautiful photos and so much like my beloved Greece! a feast for the eyes! xxx

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    Replies
    1. thanks Vix. I have never been to Greece but from what I've seen online, the Greek islands are so similar to Croatian ones, I honestly can't tell them apart.

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  20. This area seems quite reserved and quaint, but otherwise very lovely. This is some fine insight you've shared here.

    johnbmarine.com - johnbmarine.blogspot.com

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  21. Such a beautiful place to visit Ivana!


    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  22. Oh my! That really is a wonderful bay! The water, the slopes, the trees! So beautiful!
    I love your comfy outfit- that coat is so classically stylish!

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