Finished off some salami, cheese, bread and grapes for a quick breaky before checking out of the gorgeously quaint Miric Inn and heading up the road to Gate 2 of the national park. Parked and organised coffees while I checked with the Information centre re our best options for a 2-3 hour stay (amazed at the volume of vehicles already parked and not even 9am!)
So, we were advised to take route E which involved a short walk down to where the "train" (actually a bus with three joined carriages) departed on about a 20 minute ride through winding, ascending rainforest style terrain.
On disembarking began the predominantly boardwalk trek across and back down the other side of the lakes we had just driven up - approximately 7.5kms. Once again incredibly spectacular views of the beautifully coloured lakes, the surrounding hills and rainforest vegetation, the phenomenal number of cascading waterfalls, wildlife including trout, ducks , birds and various butterflies etc - not to mention all the babbling streams.
Despite the overwhelming number of people it never actually felt overcrowded though was certainly busy! The end of the trek involved a short boat ride back across the lake for the walk back up to Gate 2 entrance. By now it was just after midday, three hours after we had started and the entrance area was absolutely packed! The queues were horrendous everywhere with people just beginning their visit ....and not surprisingly it was so much hotter than we when set out. So glad we decided to split our time into a late afternoon and early morning - making use of the two day pass. Proved a great option!
Once out of the chaos of the car park we were back on the road heading south through the national park - thankfully not the route of our arrival!
We were travelling on the regular country highway - rolling hills and farm country with small stalls selling produce - local honey, veges and long hanging strands of garlic.
Then joined motorway - still interesting especially the tunnels! Several, but the most impressive was Sveti Rok tunnel at 5 km long! Countryside had become much more barren and desolate though still mountainous. Once glimpsed water pulled into a roadhouse for lunch then continued on to Zadar and straight to the address of our studio apartment in the old town.
Hadn't organised an exact time for arrival so managed to get attention of a lady working next door who rang ahead for me, so it wasn't long before Roko met us at a nearby cafe while we had a pivo. What an amazing character he is! A wealth if knowledge of Zadar and all things Croatian. Have to agree with Adam that its not all about the places you visit but also the people you meet that make travelling such an incredible experience!
He brought us up to our studio apartment - that looked pretty ordinary from the outside - but wow! Just great! Virtually brand new and very modern, extremely comfortable. He gave us a mobile phone for us to use locally while here then Raym followed him to a parking garage located at his business premises to leave the car (and brought him back). The interesting thing is that these two studios are completely fully booked - mainly for dental vacations! They have people coming from other European countries for much more economical major dental work! Could have had a free dent check while here!
Went off for a wander through this old town area. A town that's copped an overwhelming amount of hardship having been virtually destroyed four times during various conflicts - and continually rebuilt. Hence there's a mixture of old and new among the cobblestone streets with remnants of Roman style ruins being preserved wherever possible. Often just a single column or a whole section below ground level covered with clear Perspex-like sheeting that can be walked over to view. The more they excavate for rebuilding the more they find.
Had a swim in the Adriatic to cool off before heading back and finding a nearby outdoor bar for a beer. Showered and changed and talked the guys into heading back across to the watersedge for sunset - Roko assured it was a must. Certainly was worth it! Just beautiful! And the Sea Organ was brilliant - marble steps with a series of tubes located underneath and the waves crashing on the stairs create random harmonic sounds! Unreal!
Strolled back to Skoblar, a restaraurant at our square, and had an amazing meal - boys loved their mussels!
Was overwhelmed at the massive throng of people enjoying the evening - all ages! People everywhere - eating, drinking, strolling or just sitting listening to amazing flamenco guitarists. You just had to join in. Atmosphere was incredible! And gelatos weren't bad either!