Croatia!

Larry had a 3 day weekend this weekend, so we decided to take advantage! We planned a super last minute trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. Croatia is a neighbor of Hungary.  To get to Plitvice Lakes, it is about a 5 1/2 hour drive from Budapest, including a couple of short stops. Thankfully, we had no delays at the border coming or going. We have heard that traffic can back up there and take a while. They did seem to run some kind of check on us crossing into Croatia, but the guy gave us back our passports after about 5 or 10 minutes and let us go. Larry was afraid they would ask for his Hungarian driver's license...that is a post for another day.  

Croatia seemed to be filled with farms - we saw some authentic sheep herding and some women farming in bikinis. Other than that, the highway and toll system was very modern, but there is very little along them in terms of services. There are gas stations, but that is about it.  Miles of nothing! There are also lots of two lane roads, where if you get behind a slow guy you are stuck. Random sighting - I saw a Carter's/OshKosh store...we don't even have those in Budapest, why is there one in the middle of nowhere in Croatia?

  After this trip, we will definitely visit again! It was spectacularly beautiful.

The city that the National Park is in exists because of the park. It is one road, lined with bed and breakfast type lodging. It was no frills for sure, but our room was clean and cheap. Best of all, everyone we came in contact with spoke at least some English. Worst part - everyone only took cash (the kuna) and the only ATM in town was out of order. Fortunately, we found one not too far away.

Sunday morning, we got up and headed to the park. It was amazing - turquoise blue lakes and waterfalls around every corner. I felt like I was in a movie - it all seemed fake! In Europe, they tend to operate on the every man for himself philosophy - there are no barricades or warning signs as you cross the lakes or the falls - just a little wooden plank to walk. It enhanced the beauty and the experience.

 

I must give props to my little hiker. Larry and I each wore a kid carrying backpack, anticipating we would need both of them. Chelsea amazed us and hiked along with us for about 4 hours of our 5 hour hike. She rode in the backpack briefly after a fall, but otherwise did an amazing amount of walking.

We climbed 300 (yes, we counted) stairs to get to the top of the waterfall. Too bad you can barely see it in this pic. It was a nice view, but not sure it was worth the climb!

Look closely and you will see i have a foot growing out of my hip.

 

 After hiking for several hours, we found a place to rent canoes. We rented one for 50 kuna ($10) and explored one of the lakes. It was lots of fun and we appreciate daddy for being our rower!

After a long and beautiful day, we had a crazy thought. The coast was only an hour and a half from our hotel, and we decided to go to the beach. It was about 5 by the time we got there, so it was a little chilly. That didn't stop Chelsea from fully enjoying her swim in the Adriatic Sea. 

 

Just jump in!

The Croatian beaches are made of pebbles. Cade enjoyed splashing and burying himself.

So beautiful!!!

It was a great weekend and we can't wait to visit Croatia again!