Could there be a better advert for the stunning Adriatic coast of Croatia?
“It is not always a matter of height. Sometimes it is enough just to enjoy exceptional, flawless beauty, and to believe in the magic of life”, Orlando Duque said while waiting for the ferry to Vis, the island he had listened and read about for years, and then in early October finally came to visit it, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on November 17, 2015.
The Colombian is one of the greatest divers in the world, this year’s champion of FINA Diving World Cup, the runner up in the overall standings of Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series and one of the pioneers of the sport. He is a man who, despite turning 40 last year, still tests the limits of his body and mind.
“This is not possible” – that is an unsurprising reaction of someone who visits the Stiniva beach for the first time, a natural phenomenon whose cliffs represented for Orlando the first challenge in his search for the perfect diving location. But, in just a few moments he dived between two rocks which make the bay so special.
Probably the most unusual place that he has ever dived from is former military shelter for ships. “I have never dived from a tunnel. If you were to say to someone that such a place exists, they would probably not believe you. It is really unbelievable the diversity you can find on this island”, commented Orlando.
However, the most amazing, beautiful and challenging place he has visited is certainly the Blue Cave. Although it is a protected monument of nature, Orlando has managed to get a special permission for his project and has dived from 12 metre cliff into the clearest sea he has ever seen. “I have travelled the world looking for pristine locations and beautiful places from which I could dive. But you never expect to find all you need in one place. I will definitely return to Vis”, Orlando said.
