Krka national park Croatia 27th July

I decided to take a tour to Krka National Park so I would not be seeing Split twice when Jan arrives tomorrow. The tour has about 20 people in a mini bus and about eight are Australians ( mostly young). As we set off the sky is looking dramatically black and the guide keeps hoping that it will bypass us. No way! The heavens open amidst thunder and lightening and we are engulfed in heavy rain. Our trip takes us to Sibernik where there is an outstanding cathedral of St James. It has the shells incorporated into the decoration. The cathedral is unusual because unlike most three aise churches it has a curved roof the complete length of the cathedral.  The building is exceptional also because it is built like Lego in that the blocks of stone sit into each other. It was constructed over 100 years but commenced in the 1500s.

The town is charming but it is so wet we end up exploring only a little and have coffee in a pretty cafe. 

While there I meet two other Aussies Sue and her daughter Annika from Mudgereeba Qld. We get talking and end up sharing the day together. It was delightful to have their company after a few days on my own.

The rain didn't let up even as we entered the park and in fact was even more torrential. By the time we got out we were all wearing the chicest rain ponchos! I had made the assumption it wasn't going to rain in Croatia and had sent all my rain gear home and if it did rain I would just get wet. I would have been miserable without my  poncho. We opted for a lunch in the hope the rain would pass which was a good strategy but meant no swimming. I had fresh trout which was delicious and probably caught from the Krka lakes.

 

The park is beautiful and has the most amazing waterfalls, flora and fauna. The falls are created by the creation of travertine rock which grows from the minerals in the water, it grows slowly like coral in a way. Swimming is one of the big things but though I took my togs my enthusiasm was dimmed by the rain and the temperature of the water. You can't swim under the waterfalls because the volume of water is such that you could break a neck and the turbulence can drown you. Really enticing. The whole park was just roaring with water. 

There are boardwalks to protect the ground and cross streams and falls. We saw lots of fish and even a grass snake in the water. 

 

Croatia was the first place in the world to have hydroelectricity powered town lighting. We saw where they had harnessed the water for electricity, milling cereals and softening woven fabrics. 

 

The hydro powered mill and fabric softener.

The mill wheelsAnnika and some locals!

By the time we finished walking the rain had passed and we returned to Split. Dario the guide gave us a quick history of the war which was fascinating. It highlighted how complex the issues were and how we probably never had sufficient information  in Australia to  make any sense of it. 

Annika and Sue needed to get bus tickets to Dubrovnik so I went along and we then headed back to their apartment at the other end of town for

drinks and nibbles. I left to go home about 10:00pm but there were lots of people around and I felt quite safe.