The Mondays

 Monday: Plitvice - Zadar



So Zrinka House: this was our accommodations last night and we can not sing higher praises for their hospitality.  Drinks and homemade snacks upon arrival, served by Zrinka’s daughter, Barbara. Large, comfortable rooms.  (No icks- in my experience, rooms typically have an Ick level of 5-7. This one Ick level 1.) The shower was spacious - hubby struggles to even fit inside most European showers.  Morning breakfast, Zrinka herself explained everything in the breakfast spread, doted on us, gave us to-go bags for a pack lunch for our hike at the lakes.  Both Zrinka and Barbara gave us endless recommendations of places to visit on our route over the next several days.  And off we went to Plitvice lakes. 


Pictures do not do this national park justice.  But whatever the color is of this water: that’s my favorite color. (Is it blue? is it green? who knows.)


We waited in line for a super long time for a boat to cross the lake and got to know an Air Force doctor from Perth, Australia.  He taught us that they call teachers “chalkies” in Australia.  It took me a minute to understand due to his accent, haha. Chorkies… Chunkies…Shorties…oh CHALKies.  Yes, he said, I used to be able to speak American. 


Finally got on the boat to the other side, short bus ride, and last short hike and left the park around noon.  


Stopped at a grocery store for water, sandwiches, and snackies for the road to Zadar. 


Opal didn’t try to kill me this time.  She sure isn’t as smooth as our German car, Betsy.  Even on a straight even highway, I feel like I’m being pin-balled around.  It helps that the Dramamine was still in my system from yesterday though.  


The sun must’ve had a case of The Mondays and actually went away for a little bit during our car ride.  Gave us a short break from star damage. It even rained and it dropped briefly 10 degrees. But once we got to Zadar, it was back to being hot as balls. 


Made it to our spacious apartment, with a kitchen and living area, but unfortunately no AC pointing directly in the bedroom.  And on the 3rd floor, pant pant pant.  Shout out again to hubby who carried my DENSE roller bag up the stairs. Thankfully the lake hike was lovely this morning, starting out at 78 degrees (F) and much of the walk was on the shade.  Glad we decided to buy entrance tickets for as early as possible.  It’s easier to get up in the early morning with the sun starting to rise at 4:30am!


Got cleaned up and had a rest before heading to dinner, and stopped at a couple churches first. 


Homemade pasta with pesto and shrimp for me. Pretty sure they rolled the pasta in the kitchen to order. 


We walked over to the Sea Organ, a cross between a harmonica and a pipe organ, but for water. It was the coolest.  I could even feel sound vibrations thru my sandals. And right next to it, The Greeting to the Sun, a light show solar panel.  A sensory experience for all. The children were going nuts. Nothing like sparkly lights on a warm summer night to solidify the summer vibe. 


We walked around some more, found our coffee & pastry stop for the morning (no breakfast provided at this stay) and had some gelato. 


Bok Bok


































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