Ljubljana / Scokjan Caves / Zagreb - 20 May

Day 15 (continued)

Fortunately my bad luck ended with only the minor issues in Bled.

The traffic was bad in Ljubljana but managed to arrive just in time to buy my ticket for Divava, an egg mc muffin and a coffee!

Straight on the bus and 1.5 hours later I was in Divaca! I'd caught the bus as the trains had stopped due to maintenance on the track but the attendant from the station was still working and although he didn't speak English we managed enough communication to work out the shuttle bus to the caves were coming in 15 minutes (10am) and I needed to store my luggage with him for 3 euros.

The shuttle arrived and we whizzed off to the caves arriving to see the 10am tour for the caves walking down. I jumped off the shuttle as quick as I could and asked if I could join the 10am group ... You won't catch them he says. Well when the next tour is not for 3 hours I'll make sure I do!!!

And I did! My daily exercise these days is running for something or the other I'm late for!

There were many people doing a tour and they broke is into groups of 3 - me in the last group.

The caves at first were similar to those I'd seen before but then it opened up into a huge underground canyon with a river flowing through ... I kept expecting the bat mobile to appear out of the dark!

Two hours later the tour was over but just a fraction too late to get shuttle and the next one didn't come for 2 hours!!!

As I wanted to get to Zagreb as early as possible that night I was quite frustrated! After about 30 minutes of indecision I went to the car park and flagged down the fist vehicle leaving and asked for a lift to Divaca! Fortunately it was a French couple from my tour and thankfully they obliged!

Once in Divaca again I confirmed with my friend at the station that the next bus was an hour away. I'd shown him my kangaroo key ring earlier as he'd asked if I was from Italia and I showed him my kangaroo ... He now asked if he could have it! How cheeky but had to more in my bag so smiled and passed it on ... After all he did still have my big bag on his care!

Pizza for lunch at the reccomendation of my Triposo app on Slovenia (these off line maps are the best thing ever and ensure I rarely get lost!). The pizza wasn't as good as previous but I did order gluten free for the first time since arriving ...

I left there just as it started to rain. I collected my bag and waited for the bus in the 4wd cafe which was crowded with what looked like people having after work drinks (at 1.50pm?).

The bus arrived and I caught it back to Ljubljana ... I booked my ticket to Zagreb when I arrived and had 3 hours before it left.

I went to explore Ljubljana again but spent most is it shopping! I bought a soft shell wind proof water resistant jacket for 35£ which I thought was a bargain!

I grabbed some take away sandwich and sweets and caught the bus 6.50pm bus to Zagreb. This was uneventful but enjoyed the comfy reclining leather seats on the short 2 hour 20 journey for 6€ plus 1€ for luggage - less than I paid to get to the caves - 7€.

It was a good 10 minute walk to my hostel when I arrived in Zagreb - this time using the Ulmon app to find my way. Once I arrived after 9pm I showered booked an Airbnb for split and finally slept after 1130pm.

Day 16 -

I was up at 630 and on the bus at 8am.

I found everyone I interacted with in Croatia so friendly and helpful, from the lady I bought my breakfast meat pastry and sandwich from to the bus driver loading my bag.

The weather was nice walking to the bus station but soured quickly and by the time we were in Plitvice National Park (10am) it was pouring!

People were everywhere trying to take cover with umbrellas up and of course no awareness of people trying to pass them by.

I stored my luggage changed clothes to my 3/4 tights and added my new jacket which I was then very happy i bought after some initial deliberation!

The waterfalls were still beautiful but can imagine on a fine day they'd be stunning! The water was a beautiful emerald green and the water was flowing every where ... I'm not sure if photos could even do it justice.

I ended up doing route c - 4-6 hours but in top speed and then didn't realize I may have to wait up to 30 minutes for the train shuttle thing to take me back to the first station. Fortunately as I'd just missed one they didn't take 30 minutes and I arrived back at station 1 then jogged back to entrance 1, got myself together and got to the bus stop with 10 minutes to spare!

The bus was late but got chatting to a lovely Croatian guy who drove a taxi. He was chatting about the affordability of travel for him vs us, about Croatia recovering from the war etc. it was really nice to get some local interaction and learn more about the country.

I arrived in Split and was met by suprise by my Airbnb host at the bus station! Rocco was quite attractive and was discovering that a lot of Croatian men are!!!

Although only a short distance he drove me to the accommodation and got me settled before he headed out for dinner with his wife and family (bummer!).

It was a rainy evening but I explored the town, very excited to be staying in Diocletans Palace as it was so rustic and picturesque!

Day 17 - Another miserable rainy day but went out walking regardless wishing I'd brought appropriate wet weather shoes!!!

I found myself down at a Badvice beach where there was nobody but me and a local man who stopped to chat about the weather. He said he was there on holiday from Ocek? He wanted to practice his English and wanted some company so invited me for coffee at a local cafe.

We ended up spending a couple of hours chatting sharing information about our countries and travels, then also pictures from our phones. He was 62 years old a former economics professor, had 2 children and his wife recently passed away from breast cancer. He was now travelling the world alone, recently visiting Mexico and next going to China.

He helped me learn some Croatian words and told me some interesting things about the country such as they had 20% unemployment and that he preferred it when it was a communist country as everything was organized and they produced and had someone to sell to.

He was insisting he'd make me lunch or at least walk me back to my hotel but I refused as wanted to do some more exploring before I joined the sail Croatia trip the following day.

I left him and ended up soaking wet from the rain so headed for the first dry spot I could find ... The cellars of the Diocletans palace.

Fortunately they were hosting a food and wine festival and for a small fee which was returns when you brought your glass back you could do all the tasting you wanted!!! I had a great time tasting and chatting away to all the stall holders and other tourists I met ... A bit too good of a time though as since I hadn't eaten anything but a banana all day and drank loads I ended up heading home after for a 4 hour nap and woke up at 10pm!!! So much for more sightseeing but it was the coolest food and wine festival I've ever been to!!!

Day 18 -

A last minute run around for more suitable shoes then joined the Sail Croatia boat down at the port.

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