We packed it up last night and pulled out of dynamic Zagreb early this morning ... and were on the road around 8am, traveling overland (that means: By bus) to Plitvice Lakes National Park. It wasn't a long drive -- 64 miles -- and we'd arrive approx 9:30. Everyone was eager to see this park, we'd heard so much about it.
The park was already streaming with groups of tourists. We'd be walking on narrow, clumsy boardwalks, with people strung out in a long line, so Mario "deputized" Jimmy (he's wearing an OAT DEPUTY tag). Mario would lead the front and Jimmy would bring up the rear, so no one would get left behind! Goodness, so many people crowding the walkways!
This map may not help you much, except to give you the general scheme of the lake system -- 16 named and several smaller unnamed lakes, cascading one into the next. These lakes have been divided into Upper and Lower Lakes, and I can state right now that I wish we'd had two or three days (not hours) to explore this roughly 116 square mile park. There's miles of hiking trails to range over. The water is an exquisite turquoise.
Profuse waterfalls and cascades are an extraordinary sight!
Without going into bunches of detail (and the area involves lots of detail) the lakes are part of the Dinarides karst region, one of the most impressive karst landscapes in the world. (Jimmy and I used to live in Florida, where karst/limestone is prevalent.) The formation of these lakes was made possible with the building of the tufa (or travertine) barriers, and the lake system is believed to have been formed 12,000 to 15,000 years ago. Enough technical info. Basically, the entire lake complex is outstandingly beautiful.
Water cascades (or escapes) over the tufa (travertine) natural dams, throughout the greenery between the lakes. Such an amazing sight ... and sound!
An elevated boardwalk allowed us to walk from one side of a lake to the other, and we could watch the clear, clear water splashing from lake to lake below our feet.
Hidden in the flowers and leaves is a good-sized, noisy cascade.
I'm standing in front of the highest waterfall in the park, altho you see only a fraction. The Large (Great) Waterfall (Veliki Slap in Croatian) is 256' high situated at the end of Lower Lakes. Considered the most beautiful waterfall, it's also the highest in the whole of Croatia. What is unique about this waterfall (in comparison with the others in the Park) is that, while the other Plitvice waterfalls are formed by the spilling of waters from lake to lake, Veliki Slap was actually formed by the Plitvica Potok River. Falling water is tumbling from the cliffs all around me.
Plitvice is alive with flora and fauna. Above left is a Gray (Mountain) Wagtail, and next to it is Brown Trout easily seen in water as clear as what flows from our kitchen tap, a lady Mallard swims with fishies, and a Cyclamen (one of many) I saw growing on the hillside. I know there's much more to see.
You can see people on a boardwalk on the opposite side of the lake.
Just beautiful.
I wish you could've heard it, too.
Milanovac Waterfalls and Cascades.
Click on any photo to enlarge,
and use your back arrow to return to this post.
We hitched a ride on a boat like the one above to a dock that was closer to where our bus had to park (think: North 40), and then we got our aerobic exercise hiking uphill to get to that bus! My gosh, I could liken this park to any national park in the US -- it's a natural wonder. I'm glad we were able to visit, and I'd recommend this to anyone. Be nice to have a couple of uncrowded days ... but I will always carry magical memories of Plitvice Lakes.
Lunch was nothing special at a local restaurant that catered to large groups and there were at least three BIG groups. After that, we were back on the bus, heading for the coast.
Yay, the coast! The seaside town of Opatija, to be exact, in the Kvarner Gulf ... and not that far from Slovenia or Italy!
Before dinner, Mario took the group for a walk-about of Opatija to see what the town has to offer. It was a lovely evening for a stroll.
Yay, the coast! The seaside town of Opatija, to be exact, in the Kvarner Gulf ... and not that far from Slovenia or Italy!
Almost off the formidable, yet impressive two-lane highway winding down from the hills and back to the water! Oh boy!
On the way to Opatija: Looking at the longer, graceful span of the Krk bridge in the distance, connecting mainland Croatia to the Island of Krk. Built of reinforced concrete, it's among the longest arches of any construction.
And this is the view from our hotel window! We're on the fourth floor of the Hotel Agava, with a window that really does open to the sea. While leaning on the windowsill shortly after checking in, Jimmy and I watched a wedding procession parade down the street with accordions serenading the couple. How cool is that? The air is redolent of the sea. We're going to like it here.
Before dinner, Mario took the group for a walk-about of Opatija to see what the town has to offer. It was a lovely evening for a stroll.
The Maiden with the Seagull has a history behind it, as you may guess. Read it here, if you're interested. Our stroll led us to our restaurant for dinner -- the Bistro Yacht Club, where we had a waterside table with a view ... and a most excellent fish dinner. Afterward, we walked the short distance to our hotel.
And watched the full moon rise over the Kvarner Gulf.
Nice, very nice.
WHAT A DAY!!
