Between 8:30 and 9 a.m. we loaded into a van and 2 cars and headed southwest out of Zagreb. We are on our way to the Plitvice Lakes National Park. It is an big area with multiple natural terraced lakes linked by waterfalls. It took about an hour and half for us to get there. Once we arrived there we noted that the parking area was packed but there is a big area to park and we finally found three spots open. We slathered sun screen and bug spray on, grabbed our backpacks, water and sandwiches and headed over an “over the road walkway” and to the park ticket desk. Five of our group (Sam, Katie, Joe, Wayne, and Tracie) decided they didn’t want to go on the walk so stayed back near the observation area close to the entrance. The rest of us headed out walking down the trail, along with at least 5000 other people who are there today. It didn’t take long to start down the side of the mountain toward the first lake and a large waterfall. The lake is very beautiful, greenish-blue and crystal clear water. There are fish swimming in the lake and they are easily seen in the water. All the trails are either wooden boardwalks or finely ground gravel.
After the first huge waterfall the trail continued on past multiple lakes and smaller waterfalls. There was one big cave you could go into and climb up several stairs to go around stalagtites and narrow passageways. All of us passed that up except for Wonda, Clarence and Brayden. We continued on the trail, climbing several steps at intervals and walking long paths of fairly level trail. Probably half-way along the trail we stopped at a bench and sat there and at several places on the hillside to eat our lunch. Wonda, Clarence & Brayden soon caught up with us. Brayden was in awe of Wonda & Clarence, stating he had trouble keeping up with the two of them! After a couple of hours walk we came upon a very large lake. At this lake was a restaurant, restroom, gift shop and lots of tables & chairs. Ice cream sure tasted good while standing in line. It was at this lake that we got on a ferry boat to go slowly across and down the lake to the other shore. There were several small boats filled with people rowing and enjoying the day. Once we got off the boat we had to climb up several rock steps (probably 1000….or so it seemed) to a road and a building called Station 2. We caught a tram/bus that took us back almost to Station 1, where we had started out a few hours earlier. On the trail between getting off the bus and reaching Station 1 Eli slipped on the gravel and almost slid down quite a steep hill but Jenni reacted with a mother’s instinct and quickly grabbed him. He did suffer a scraped and cut knee but was able to limp along to the end of the trail.
Meeting up with the 5 who did not join us on the trek we found out they had been able to ride on a sightseeing bus along the top of the ridge to Station 3 where they were able to see some of the lakes from the top. We all stopped in the little store for cold drinks. Outside in the waiting area was a group of men & women dressed in traditional Croatian clothes and singing. After listening to them for a few minutes we opted to cross the road when there were no cars rather than climb up more steps to go over the road. After we crossed Eli went running down the rocky path, slipped and fell again, this time slamming his shoulder into the wooden walkway nearby. It’s a wonder he didn’t dislocate or break something!
Once in the cars we headed back toward Zagreb. On the way we stopped in a small mountain village where we planned to eat dinner. The only problem is that there are apparently only two restaurants of any sort in this town and both tell us they cannot accommodate a group of 20 people, not even if we break up into smaller groups. So, we go into plan b or c. There is a small park here that has several small waterfalls and an old mill. We spend some time in the park and then load back into the vehicles.
Sam & I, Dana, and the Monteblanco family all get into the van with Pete as the driver. Brayden also joined us. We are all going back to our respective apartments because we are leaving very early in the morning to start vacation time in Venice. The rest of the team went to a mall in Zagreb to eat supper at the food court. Because today is a holiday not many things are open.
On our way back to the city center Pete realized he didn’t know how to get there from this part of the city. We were on a highway close to the airport when he called Ashley to find out how to get where we needed to go. Brayden quickly found a GPS app on his phone and typed in Hotel Porin. We meandered through some small villages and farm land and reached a road close to Porin where Pete recognized the area. Since we then knew where we were we asked him to drop us off at the KFC and we’d catch the tram back to the city center. It was close to 8:30 and we hadn’t eaten yet so we decided to just eat at KFC. Brayden and Dana didn’t stay with us as Brayden offered to take her back to the women’s house so she could pack, then he’d accompany her to Jenni & Vito’s apartment where she was staying for the night. Once we’d eaten and finally able to get a tram we finally arrived back at our apartment right at 10 p.m. Clarence & Wonda came in from their evening at the mall about 10 minutes later. Finally to bed between 11 and 11:30 p.m.
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