Plitviče Lakes – 50 Shades of Blue and Green

I had my heart set on visiting Zadar because I heard it was the gateway to the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The Park is famous for its lakes and waterfalls. I hopped into a taxi right outside my hotel, which was conveniently located right by the beach. It was only 7am, but people were already taking their morning dips and enjoying the beautiful weather. Some even opted for a refreshing beer... because why not? It took us a little over an hour, but honestly, I couldn't even tell because I was in nap heaven. After a few pit stops for bathroom breaks, we finally arrived at the national park. Our tour guide shared some information I wish was included in the description of the tour. "We have bears and wolves in the national park, but I don't think you'll be seeing them today. We also have many species of snakes, but I have been touring for a long time and have never seen one myself"... this complete Kn*b. Snakes!? The audacity to say that with full confidence not realising the panic he would inflict in me. The other tourists seemed fine with it but unfortunately for me, I spent much of the tour being very cautious.

Right from the start, our first ten minutes in the park were enchanting. The towering trees cast beautiful shadows while allowing the gentle sunlight to peek through, creating the perfect backdrop for capturing some truly lovely pictures. The distant sounds of soothing waterfalls added a sense of tranquillity to the atmosphere. As we crossed the flat bridge, we were greeted by an alluring sight. The crystal-clear lake on either side of us illuminated the surroundings, creating a mesmerising view that we couldn't get enough of. However, amidst this beauty, I couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. There was an Australian couple behind us actively searching for snakes, and their enthusiasm puzzled me. I started looking around nervously until one of them excitedly exclaimed, 'Oh look, is that a water snake?' That's when I decided to power walk. These idiots were physically looking for the snakes… who on Earth wants to see snakes? I questioned them on this and they replied with sarcastic laughter.

Our hike took us up a steep mountain, and it wasn't until we reached the bottom that we realised just how steep it was. As we made our way up, the view of the main lake on our right was stunning. The crystal-clear waters and lush greenery surrounding the lake left us in awe. The size of the lake was astonishing, and the vibrant colours and wildlife added to its beauty. Along the way, we stopped to take pictures, and I was behind an adorable father-daughter duo who were taking their own photos. When I asked the father to take a picture of me, it turned into a group effort to get the perfect shot. The attention was overwhelming, but I appreciated their help. Once we lost sight of the lake, the steep descent was nerve-racking, especially considering the depth we were at. As we walked through the realm of towering trees and chirping birds, we couldn't help but be more aware of our surroundings, particularly for any reptiles. By we, I mean me.

As we continued our walk towards the main waterfalls, we were surrounded by crystal-clear streams and fluttering butterflies.Capturing a video of these colourful creatures proved to be quite a challenge! The sound of the waterfalls grew louder as we got closer, creating a powerful symphony of nature. Each waterfall had its own unique size, name, and pitch, but they all were all so loud it screamed "don't come too close." Wooden barriers were placed in front of the waterfalls, providing the perfect spot for everyone to capture stunning pictures. Since I was exploring solo, my trusty Insta360 camera captured all the captivating sights upfront. We then found ourselves in a more open space, walking along a narrow wooden path, basking in the soothing sunlight. Suddenly, a voice echoed behind me, instructing us to wait for the others to arrive. I struck up a conversation with my friendly tour guide, chatting about football, his background, before we continued our journey towards the grandest waterfall of them all.

We thought we had seen it all, even though we were exhausted and couldn't walk as fast as our tour guide wanted. But he kept shouting, "There's a surprise at the end. Keep going!". The colours of the water were mind-blowing. No online picture of "Turquoise" waters could compare to the real view. It was mesmerizing to see the rocks, caves, and cliffs randomly spitting out water into the river from different heights. This fifteen-minute walk was the highlight of our visit to Plitvice Lakes. The way the river flowed so gracefully was simply astonishing. Once we passed a section where water rushed below us from left to right under a narrow wooden bridge, we knew we were in for a treat. Just a couple hundred meters away, the sight was truly wonderful. The sound of the water crashing below was loud but oddly calming. And when we looked over the barrier, we saw large cliffs with countless sections of crystal-clear water pouring into the stream below. It was nothing short of majestic. I could have stared at it for hours, but the narrow pathway meant I kept getting bumped into. We continued and then really did see what we came here for.
Imagine standing just a hundred meters away from the magnificent Great Waterfall at Plitvice Lakes. It's the one you see in all those jaw-dropping online pictures. This waterfall is a force to be reckoned with, proudly displaying its sheer size and power as it gushes down with a mighty roar. Nature's elegance at its finest! There was a perfectly placed rock right in front of the waterfall, inviting adventurous souls to climb up and strike a pose for that epic picture. I found your own unique way to capture the moment. I slyly pulled out my Insta360 selfie stick attachment, lined it up with the waterfall, and hit that record button. Bullseye! Well, maybe not exactly bullseye, but a decent shot, nonetheless.Sure, I got a few stares from onlookers, but I would rather look like a plum than risk getting a subpar photo. As we made our way back, we embarked on a lovely walk to the starting point. And let me tell you, the view we got of the main waterfalls was extraordinary! These waterfalls working together created a captivating image that left us in awe.

Back at the starting point, while waiting for our group to return, I finally had the chance to introduce myself to the two Dutch lads who were in the same pick-up van as me. Can you believe it? They had American accents but were born and educated in The Netherlands. Talk about intriguing and confusing at the same time! We had a great chat about our impressions of Croatia so far.