Weds 7th, Thurs 8th National Parks - Plitvice lakes and Paklenica gorge

Staying for 2 nights near the Plivice lakes, we explored two very different national parks...

Accomodation: Some random place in Korenica, only a short drive from the lakes. We pazed 25 euros per room per night (Paul payed 20 for a single.)

The Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia's most popular tourist attraction, was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. Located roughly halfway between capital city Zagreb and Zadar on the coast, the lakes are definitely a must-see.

The beauty of the National Park lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, and set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species. The National Park covers a total area of 300 square kilometres, whilst the lakes join together over a distance of eight kilometres. There's also quite an altitude difference - the highest point is at 1,280m, the lowest at 380m - although the total height difference between the lakes themselves is only 135m. (Veliki Slap, the largest waterfall, is 70m tall.) - Visit Croatia.

We left Opatija at 8.35 and with a couple of stops for shopping and lunch with a gorgeous panoramic view, we arrived at Pauls pre-booked accomodation that we could also stay at for 25 euros between the two of us (shared bathroom.)The guest house was like a log cabin effect, with a sort of common room we could use with a TV and fridge but not a kitchen as such so we had to hijack the family kitchen downstairs to make our pizzas the first night and pasta the second. This make us feel a little uncomfortable, like we were intruding, but ultimately on hostel bookers it did cite kitchen under facilities. It also said there was internet but there wasnt boo hoo.

We drove straight to the lakes, parking at the secondary entrance and arriving before 2pm. By walking and taking a couple of buses and one boat, we literally blitzed in 3 hours what would otherwise have taken all day. It cost 15 quid to get in so we didnt want to have to retturn unnecessarily.

I have to say, and I have been to many amazing places in my life not to mention 6 months of travelling in Asia this year already, but this was one of the most stunning places I have ever been. The colours of the foliage and rock were vivid, the water crystal clear, and the mood like something out of a fairy tale. It was a beautiful sunny day, which also makes a lot of difference, and was just awesome. I found the lower lakes to be more scenic than the higher ones. We left feeling reallz pleased we had decided to join Paul here as something magnificent Croatia had to offer that we would have otherwise missed.

In the evening we made lasagna and drank red wine watching some bad English movie! Chatting with Paul, we decided to go to Rab island with him for 2 days and then break from him before he went to krk island, so we could move on on our travels. I suggested the Paklenica national park as a daz trip as we had covered the lakes in one daz.

Money spent: 18 Kuna parking, 8 kuna cappuccino, 110 kuna entrance. Shopping 35.50 kuna shared food. More shopping and deodrant 60.40 kuna. Bread and notepad 9.26 kuna. Accom 12.5 euros.

Thursday 8th - Paklenica national park

Paklenica National Park is one of Croatia's most diverse national parks especially if you're interested in hiking or rock climbing. Located in the southeastern part of the Velebit mountain range which runs along the central Dalmatian coast, Paklenica National Park covers 102 sq. km and includes one of the largest forests in the Mediterranean. The two outstanding canyons of Paklenica Park, Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica, show splendid karstic formations.
Paklenica park offers the unique pleasure of combining hiking and swimming the same day. Starigrad is the main jumping off point for exploring the park and it happens to lie right on the Adriatic. - from Croatia traveller.

We left at 9.25 for the 1 and a quarter hour drive to Paklenica national park on the central Croatian coastline.

First we went on a little walk along the periphery of the park thinking we could sneak in without paying ha ha. But we did end up parting with the dosh, after all we had come all this waz to see the park and there was always the danger we would get shot ha ha so we drove in and up and did a short walk to a rather specatular gorge which was rock climbers heaven. Having done a spot of rock climbing myself, I would have liked to have been there with all the kit, but it wasnt to be and I satisfied myself with watching other people instead! It was one of those places I could have happily spent the whole day, as there were several proper treks to while away the hours, but it wasnt to be as I was somewhat outnumbered bz Rozie and Paul who only wanted to go and lie on yet another beach! - so satisfied myself with a short 1 hour speed walk before reluctantly rushing back to meet the others who I left admiring the view of the gorge.

We then drove to a beach 2.15ish and chilled in the sunshine. Unfortunately I hadnt come prepared so had to swim in my combats and black bra and then cover myself in a sarong! We had a nice beer while relaxing over a book in the harbour. and then drove back through fairly stunning scenery to arrive bck at the hostel late. We drove back a different way which added on about 45 minutes, which was a bit much for Paul by the end as it was pitch black. But while it was still light it was awesome, we saw a gorgeous sunset and the views followed us as we navigated up the mountains before heading inland and back to Plitvice.

We got back late, I grabbed a quick shower and we made pasta in the downstairs kitchen before watching more dodgz english movies!

Money spent: 7.5 Kuna toll, 60 entrance (me and Ro paid for Paul) beer 12 kuna. Accom 12.5 euros