Balkans 10

 Plitvice National Park

Next we went to one Croatia‘s remarkable - and highly visited - national parks. It is notable for its huge collection of waterfalls from a series of lakes, and it many hiking paths to view them. Small viewing boats also take people between the lakes, to see some of the falls. 

On our first try, we were too late to get in, because the park was still on winter hours, with very early closing times. The next day, we started early. Some of us went hiking, and some of us (me) took the luxury of painting on site. I had my small watercolor set and materials and made a couple of paint sketches. 

My view to paint

Further to the left of the view 

A couple of ducks asked if I had treats. I didn’t. 

Then I went for a walk along the lake. 

The water is a brilliant turquoise. 

To be continued….

St. George Day

 Red Cross on White

Today is the feast day of a favorite Christian martyr, St. George. He is celebrated widely throughout the world and is a patron saint of many countries and cities, including Great Britain, Bulgaria, Venice, Genoa, Portugal, Ethiopia, Serbia, Russia, and Georgia. You can see his image all over the world, on coins, as statues, in liturgical wares, as architectural ornamentation, in storybooks, and in holiday celebrations. 

While he is depicted as an 11th century knight by many in the west, in Orthodox countries he is depicted more like what he was, a Roman officer. George was born into a wealthy and high-ranking family. His father died when he was young. His mother was a Christian and raised him to be one. He lived in the Near East. He was murdered for his faith under Diocletian in about A.D. 303. His tomb was in Lydda in Roman Palestine (now Lod, Israel). 

His story was developed over the centuries, especially in the Middle Ages, adding the dragon-slaying event. Unchanged is his reputation for virtue, holiness, and a strong faith under persecution, a testimony worth remembering and emulating. 

Balkans 9

 Evening in Zagreb

We found our hotel, and found it exceedingly hot. We then found a restaurant, situated in a vaulted cellar, with exquisite food. 

Then we wandered around the night streets. The grand city church had lost its towers in a recent earthquake, so they are being reconstructed. People take their church culture seriously. 

Note the array of odd museums in this city. One would want to come back and visit them all. 

The next morning, a flower market in the city square. 

Saint George

Then on to the national park. 

Balkans 8

 On to Zagreb

Croatia was our next goal. The evening before, we had local cuisine by a roaring fire. Very tasty. 

The next morning, after breakfast we said goodbye to the Ethno village.

Then we had a long drive to Zagreb, passing Orthodox churches in every town.

This one is in Zagreb, where we parked.

Balkans 7

 Ethno Village

Another little log church was either under construction or being heavily renovated. It was hexagonal, with an entrance “hall,” and a cupola. The only furnishings were a large gold chandelier, an icon stand, and a few small icons.

Facing the church was this fountain.

The wall construction. 

Other views

To be continued…..