Plitvice Lakes National Park

There is a very good reason why places are listed as an UNESCO world heritage site, that is because they are special. All that mother nature provides is special, but some areas are extra special and Plitvice lakes is one site that made it to the list and deservingly so.

When you enter the park it is captivating, rather like walking into a Disney film set where everything is magical. The vegetation is lush, water cascading everywhere forming varying colours from clear to deep green or turquoise pools. The limestone karst geology allows the water to etch itself deeply forming big valleys and caves. We spent two days here and wish we had of lingered a lot longer and taken the time to visit sites outside of the park and do some longer walks.

Wikipedia has an in depth article on the park which makes an interesting read and also further articles on other significant karst sites should one’s travel desires wish to seek out more ! Without realisng the meaning of the word karst (basically limestone) I’d already visited a few in Australa eg. Jenolan caves in NSW and Mole creek caves in Tasmania, all beautiful in there own right.

The lofty overview that we got upon entry beckons strongly an invitation to stay and indulge. Despite the large numbers of invitees and early intensity of heat; Caroline and I could not refuse such an invitation. So it’s down we go into the haven with its enticements being lapped up all the way.

It is hot, but we are not allowed to swim in the water because of the huge numbers of visitors per day – upwards of 50000 on a bad day > 1000000 in a year. The fish, ducks and other wildlife have exemption.

Even though the crowds are huge (tip – visit out of vacation season ! – or if your there like the rest of use, get there early, oh and bring your own food as the park offerings are crap.) , the park is huge and well controlled with one way paths. There is ample opportunity to find a special spot to sit and soak it all in.

We settle down to enjoy the fruits of our excursion to first major waterfall that we see from the park entrance.

Waterfalls: something about them pumps up the excitement drug and I almost tumble like the cascading waters as I jump like a loon.

What is a limestone park without its caves. There are apparently quite a few within the park, though only a few that are publicly accessible. We visit one. Caroline elected to stay down whilst I clambered up the precipitous WE stairs to the land above. It was a simple erosion without anything to write home about in terms of stalagmites and ‘tites but fun nether-the-less.