Just one night in Split. On Sunday we climbed on the bus for another day of travel.The terrain on this drive was different and the region looked poorer than what we’d seen on the Dalmation Coast. We went through one town where they’d left relics from the Civil War in the 90’s – tanks and bombed out houses. Maybe a reminder so they wouldn’t forget.
The highlight of the day was a hike in the national park Plitivice Lakes. Well it would have been a highlight if it wasn’t cold and rainy.
Our only day of rain on this trip so I won’t complain but we really didn’t get the full experience walking through this lush valley of 16 terraced lakes. It was very green and there were waterfalls everywhere. And Chinese tourists too pushing and shoving their way along the walk ways.
We hiked the Lower Lakes first with our guide. I decided to forgoe my whisper (for listening to guide). Hiking just doesn’t go with someone talking in your ear for an hour! The park is based on limestone and when calcium carbonate is released into the water which causes the beautiful colors. There is a trail of boardwalks so walking the lakes is easy.
Despite a very convincing argument from our guide on why we shouldn’t miss the Upper Lakes hike, some of us chose to sit in the warm lodge with a drink and dry off while the others made the hike. Best glass of amaretto I’ve ever had!
We arrived in the seaside town of Opatija after dark. Glad that dinner was at the hotel that night. The rest of the tour group was scheduled to go on an optional day tour of the Istrian Peninsula the following day. Bonnie and I had decided we needed a down day on our own.