An Australian couple travelling in Europe in a motorhome (Bluey), exploring Australia in a caravan and a self built Isuzu expedition 4 x 4 motorhome (Buster).
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is known for its 16 lakes connected by 92 waterfalls. There is an extensive boardwalk structure that takes you through the truly beautiful scenery. It was magical and the photos dont do it justice. This morning before the crowds it was so peaceful. The water is so clear and the colour unbelievable. Most of the time we walked in the shade of the forest along side the water. Included in the 110kn/€15 entry fee was a ride in the electric boat and electric train taking you through to different sections. We walked all sections bar a oneway ride on the boat. After 5 1/2 hours and having explored both the upper and lower lakes we called the owner of the camp to pick us up take us back to Bluey. Mike and Jan turned up and we chatted the afternoon away.
Travelled:268km
Stay: Camping Place Cvetkovic- small privately owned with facilities €10/adult N44.863949 E15.641520
Before we set off for the day we stopped in to say good morning to Mike and Jan, who were staying at Krka Autocamp about 5kms from town. After saying hello, we took of for the coast. We drove to Vodice then towards Zadar and then a bit further to Nin. We didn't find anywhere we wanted to stay for the night.
We have seen these spits all along the road...
So we took the autoroute over the mountain to Plitvicka Jezera NP.
We welcomed the change of scenery, farming land, chalet style houses and we even saw our first flock of sheep! It was also 10° cooler.
We programmed camy to take us to a camping spot found on CamperContact that is 2.5km from the NP Entrance 2. The owner will transport us there and back for €5 (1/2 the price it would cost to park there for the day). So tomorrow we are looking forward to visiting the park.
We chatted a while with another Australian couple from Cairns who have been travelling in their motorhome and canal boat for the last 3 years....yes another one!
We spent a beautiful day exploring a couple of areas of the Krka NP. The park is well known for its waterfalls created by Travertine, which is limestone. The formations are still accumulating at a rate of 3mm/year.
We took the first boat of the day at 8am to Skradinski buk. This was included in the entrance ticket price of 110kn (€15) each.
After a pleasant half hour ride up the river we arrived at the waterfall which is the longest on the Krka river.
It was here that the second (by 2 days) hydro electric plant in the world was built.
We followed the track across the river and along the falls, offering some great views.
We also visited a small village that had a working watermill,
along with weaving demonstrations
and even an early day washing machine.
There was also displays of basket weaving and how bread was traditionally made with wood fire and a Peka (a metal cone lid).
We strolled along a wooden walkway over the top of the falls, under the canopy of trees and over many pools filled with fish and lovely blue winged dragonflies flittering about.
We descended back down to the falls where we had started and enjoyed watching all that water cascade and gush down into the waters below where you could have a swim if you were so inclined.
Then we caught the boat back to Bluey and after a refreshing drink.
we were off to explore the Roski slap waterfall. This area can also be visited by taking a 2.5hr boat journey for 130kn extra. Our ticket bought this morning will allow us all day entry to all places except the monasteries on Visovac Island and the other further up the Krka River (another 2.5hrs) both only accessible by boat.
We parked Bluey and walked 100 steps to the series of small cascades, also known as the Necklaces.
We walked around to the otherside and then walked up 517 steps to a newly discovered cave (1988).
It is only small but significant as it showed evidence of human habitation from 5000BC to 1500BC. The cave is now home to various insect species and bats!
On the way back down we enjoyed the view of the gorge.
We then made our way to where the water falls 15m into the Visovac Lake.
We had a snack and a rest along the shore before returning to Bluey.
We were then again tempted by the food and free parking at the restaurant and so found a shady spot for the night...
