Balkans 13

 Split

The next day was still blustery and soggy, but we went to see Diocletian’s palace. It is being used as part of the town. 

The town was mostly empty, being pre-tourist-season and rainy,

…but a couple of your groups still came through.

A Christmas-all-year shop

A rubber duckies shop

Roman ruins

Narrow alleyways 

Remnants from ancient times 

View to the sea

To be continued…

Balkans 12

 To Split

After the national park, we headed to the Croatian coast, specifically, to Split. This is an ancient Roman town. Diocletian was born nearby and retired to this city, so it has - still - his palace in the city center, now the home of sundry shops and apartments. 

We found, by divine grace and not by plan, a nice little hotel ON the beach, which had been a bucket list item for at least one of our group. The first evening and next day were quite blustery, so initial plans of heading to an island for a couple of days were postponed. The waves were big, and ferry boats sometimes don’t cross in all weather. 

Upon arrival, on the beach

An island across the water

The hotel was arrayed in Easter finery

Some people like sea food

And some don’t (me)

A walk outside after dinner

On a Walk

 Spring Greens 

The landscape has filled in with the bright greens of spring. Some trees are still in bloom, and a few bees are buzzing in them - not enough bees, but we should get some fruit.

The vast view, and switchback road to get up the hill

Close up of the mountains, with two towns in the middle ground

All roads go up.

Our town (for post) in the distance by the steeple

Yes, that’s how steep and high the roads are, above rooftops.

Balkans 11

 The Big Falls

These can be viewed from platforms high above the thundering falls. Some people, who make the hike, view them from the walk seen in the pictures. 

Then we traveled through the mountains, leaving the high lands of the park, where a heavy snow was expected the next day. 

Balkans 10

 Plitvice National Park

Next we went to one of Croatia‘s remarkable - and highly visited - national parks. It is notable for its huge collection of waterfalls from a series of lakes, and its 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….