Eye-Popping Plitvice Lakes National Park

The positive juju and pleas to the weather gods went unheard for our visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. While I don't have an actual bucket list, the photos I've seen of this place have always sung their siren song to me, especially the ones taken in the best of light with blue sky. Oy vey! Good thing we brought raincoats and umbrellas!

Tour Manager Sanel planned for us to have the optimal visit of the park where no one but our group was in that part of the park. We're to eat breakfast at 7 a.m. and load luggage on the bus by 7:45. At 8 a.m., our very cooperative flock (with much oversight and urging by a stressed Sanel) walked to meet the electric shuttle tram that would drive us to the very end of the park, where no one else begins their visit. This photo was taken at the start of our walk.

Much of the mucky park pathway is covered by boardwalks. Sometimes there was a rail to hold onto. It was a challenge to identify when there was a step or level change on the glossy, wet wood.

The views only got more spectacular.

Ah, the sound of water: rain and waterfalls.

Sometimes, gray skies enhance natural colors and the foliage appears brilliantly glossy.

At a certain point, we took an electric ferry across Kojak Lake to a rest area where we could buy hot drinks and snacks before heading out on the next hike.

Sanel's plan gave us the pleasure of walking quietly alone in the woodland beauty. The crowds of tourists were beginning to appear. Most of the busloads from cruises and other tours start at the first entry, whereas we started at the end.

The pathways became so thick with people that it was impossible to stop and take any photos. It would be easy to get pushed into the water by an impatient or careless tourist. 

There were photos to take from above, but it was hard for a height-challenged photographer to get over the greenery.

Because Bob and I were at the back of the pack (taking too many photos!) with people-sweeper Tim, we didn't have time to walk to the tall waterfall at the end. The photo from this viewpoint was probably better and we didn't deal with huge crowds.

Sanel was at the viewpoint to make sure he had all of his chickens rounded up (one was temporarily misplaced along the way). The rain had lightened for a little bit on the last part of the park. But as we walked toward the bus, it poured with gusto. We were lucky to be tucked in the warm, dry bus when those rains hit. Many settled in for a nap during the long drive to Split. The morning in Plitvice Lakes was perfect!

Watch for the next post, which will cover this afternoon and the next day in Split, Croatia!