ERICOUSSAA journey around the Adriatic SeaThe ancient Greek geographers Skilax, Erastosthenes, Ptolomeus and Strabo named the big bay of the Mediterranean Sea lying between the Appenine and Balkan peninsulas Adriatike talassa or The Adriatic Sea. The sea was named after the largest and most important town on its shores Adria or Atria. The Adriatic Sea is not very large. From Venice in the north to the southernmost point at the Gate of Otranto in the south where the Adriatic borders the Ionian Sea, there are 427 nautical miles. Its width varies between 47 and 114 miles and it has only 138.595 square kilometers. Its beautiful shores are shared by 6 countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece and Italy.After retiring, a 65 year old MD without major seafaring experience decided to fulfill his childhood dreams and set sail on a 1500 miles long journey around the Adriatic Sea on a 7.5 meter long sailboat with a cabin. He was joined by a good friend on his own sailboat. They described what they saw and experienced together as well as their thoughts evoked by the trip.The coast and the gentle countryside on the shores of this beautiful sea, towns and villages on the mainland and countless islands as well as the way of life today are reminiscent of the old Greeks, Romans, Venetians, Maures, Arabs, French, Austro-Hungarians and citizens of the republic of Dubrovnik. If your soul is at peace and you listen closely you could hear Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers and orators speak, the hustle and bustle of the markets where fish, olives and lemons were sold, the bleating of sheep, the mooing of cows, the barking of wild dogs of the Ilyrs, the songs of the Maures and peasants from Apulia, Molise and Abruzzi. You could even catch the soft voice of Dante Alighieri reciting the last verse of his Divine Comedy: L'amor che muove il sole e le altre stelle (love that moves the Sun and other stars), the clang of weapons and blasting of Turkish guns and the swooshing of Venetian galleys with the wind in their sails. With some luck you will hear the gentle music of Vivaldi, Gabrielli and Balthasar Galuppi. At night, when the clock in the tower strikes two o'clock you might see Casanova, dressed in a dark velvet suit adorned with white lace, hurry across a dimly lit and deserted town square to disappear in a dark, narrow alley. This way of life may not last much longer in a rapidly changing world. So do not delay - experience the Adriatic shores and islands either alone or in the company of those closest to you, far from the madding crowds and well advertised tourist destinations. Enjoy the serenity and beauty of Adriatic towns and islands, get to know yourself and your roots, and start living again. Don't delay, make the decision and don't be afraid to take a risk; ask those close to you for understanding and get underway, do what you want and think you must do - you will not be sorry. With destiny on your side, you will later be able to accept everything that life brings - the good and the bad - including what comes at the very end.This book speaks to you about that.