Long before we came to Croatia, the Plitvice Lakes were high on my list of “must do” but tucked in the hills between the coast and Zagreb, they were not a part of our original plan. When we booked our tickets to Singapore it was much cheeper to fly out of Zagreb and it meant we would rent a car and could drive to the lakes on our way our. We had also heard the lakes were packed (they weren’t). Even into October and November when the rest of the tourism in Croatia has died off, these have been one of the last hold outs despite their altitude. In fact in the winter, most of the waterfalls freeze.
I had forgotten about the weather. Everywhere else we have been we have had enough time we just pick the best day to go on the adventure, but this time we had one day to see the lakes, a day with 100% heavy rain and 40 degrees. We dressed in all of our layers and headed out for the day.
The trail and park were impressive. Well marked trails, busses and boats connecting different points of interests and beautiful lakes and water falls. They really have set up this park to make it a beautiful place to enjoy regardless of the weather. Also with the time of year and the weather we had the place almost to ourselves.
Snow ball fights, wet cold rain, fun in the hills on our own, it felt almost like we were home before we take off for our next big adventure - Singapore tomorrow!
The water was temptingly blue green. Not from glacier silt and not from hot springs, but from moss and algae and the clear limestone rocks. Fish packed the rivers and every turn was a new surprise.
I loved the details that came through. The moss, leaves, stone stairs, it was like a painting made of a million dots. Here the girls make their way down the trail, through a cave to the edge of one of the lakes.
The park itself was impressive in the way they build boardwalks and bridges to let you drift between sections, both close to the water, yet perfectly dry.
I loved the drops of water on the trees, hanging like little pearls reflecting the light in this white white wet world.
A few last leaves were holding on, snow could be found in the shade of the trees. Very different than the blue waters where people bathe in the summer, but great to have the park almost to ourselves and time to explore.
Playing around under the “big waterfall.”
The development of the park was impressive with caves and walk ways connecting the lakes, rivers and caves.
The limestone hills give way to cascading waterfalls and deep blue pools as the water walks its way though its timeless journey to the ocean.
After stones and beach for so long, I was completely in love with the trees as far as they eye could see. A fun end to our time in Croatia.