Today we drive 157 miles inland to Croatia's most touted natural wonder. The Plitvice Lakes National Park has earned itself a place on the UNESCO register of World Heritage sites. The most compelling features are the waterfalls that interconnect 16 turquoise lake renowned for their distinctive colors which are formed by natural dams, separated into upper and lower lakes. The peaceful sound of falling water, the mist rising from the still lakes, and miles of hiking trails make this a mystical treasure in so many ways. I felt as if I was in a 12,000 acre outdoor spa!Possible activities in the park include walking, cycling, skiing and rowing.
That evening at dinner I ordered sparkling water which was 12 Croatian kuna... roughly $2.25USD. I laid out my Croatian coins and because the lighting in the restaurant was not very good, I accidentally set out a quarter and several pennies. Our waiter was very gracious but informed me that my Bosnian money could not be put toward payment for the bottled water. We all had a great laugh as a quarter and several pennies had been mistaken for Bosnian coins!! With different currencies throughout our trip we had to keep our wits about us. Ah, but that was part of the adventure.
The following morning we returned to the coast and traveled along a beautiful bay. Our destination was Opatija and its adjacent villages which are vibrant and welcoming. Opatija started as a tiny, nondescript fishing village with a church and a small population. In the mid-19th century the mild climate and spectacular seashore caught the interest of privileged Europeans who were taken with Opatija's breathtaking views, beautiful hotels and excellent restaurants.They erected villas which cemented Opatija's reputation as a winter playground for the wealthy. It is still wildly popular today among Europeans, particularly Germans and Austrians.
Postojna Cave, Slovenia
We journeyed north to Postojna, which is home to one of the largest caves in Europe. We toured the caves on board a miniature electric train. meandering through passages and chambers, observing the stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites growing up from the floor.
