Adventure to the Balkans Travelogue Pt. 7: Zadar and Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Friday, June 12, 2020
We're nearing to the last few parts of my travelogue to the Balkans, I hope you've enjoyed the journey with me thus far. With the COVID-19 situation in 2020, amongst many other calamities, world-wide travel is forecasted to be impacted negatively, with many flight routes cancelled or not even operational in the near future. Well, one might still dream about travelling...
We arrived in the City of Zadar in the morning time. Zadar is a three-thousand-year-old city established by the Illyrians in the past. Over the course of its history, the defending occupants had to fight off Romans and Greeks in the medieval times.
The original building foundation set amidst the new buildings and roads. Zadar in the 6th century was occupied by Romans and over the years, due to invading armies, the parts of the city had to be rebuilt progressively. The old foundations of the city were left to preserve what's left of the original architecture.
In the 7th century, the Slavic people from the north came to occupy the city. In the 18th century, Zadar was under Napolean rule for 8 years where he introduced the guillotine as a form of punishment.
The Jupiter Temple, a monument dedicated to the Roman God Jupiter, who was the equivalent of the Greek God Zeus.
The town clock tower.
This is known as the Land Gate of Zadar.
This is another view of the Gate from Google Pictures (credit to the original owner). As you can see there is a lion carving with an open book at its paw. The winged-lion is an emblem of Venice and the open book symbolizes the Venetian's friendship with the city. Hmm? What is it you say? Sounds a little familiar? Yes, the lion carving appeared in another city that we visited on this trip. I shall leave it to you to find out which city that was. ;)
Finally, we arrive at the Sea Organ of Zadar. This is a piece of architectural concept art designed by Croatian designer Nikola Bašić and opened to the public in 2005. This here is a solar panel installation aptly named, the Monument to the Sun.
The Sea Organ uses the concrete slabs supporting the Quay and the sea wind to create music, which sounds much like an ocarina.
These little holes you see are where the monument "breathes" and emits a beautiful sound.
Zadar was described to have the most beautiful sunset in the world by the writer Alfred Hitchcock, and we can all see why.
A little souvenir along the way, a paper cut out of my silhouette in the sunset.
However, there is also a cherry liqueur that is famously produced in Zadar - maybe that was why Hitchcock proclaimed the city's sunset as the most beautiful in the world. He was drunk!
Close up of my souvenir.
Walking back to the tour bus, we saw this beautiful sight of the moon.
It was as if Selene, the goddess of the moon, was smiling down at us.
Dinner was of a delicious serving of risotto, spaghetti and sauerkraut (colourful isn't it?)
Condensing the second day to Plitvice Lakes National Park since that's a mostly scenic post.
Got ready for a day of huffing and puffin, hiking at Plitvice National Lakes Park.
Plitvice National Park is one of the oldest parks in Croatia.
The park has 16 terraced lakes joined by waterfalls.
The beautiful waters of the park.
Saw some wildlife as well - mostly ducks serenely padding in the rivers.
Came across this beach-like enclave halfway through the lake.
Took a break for lunch. Had a delicious serving of roast pork, Croatian-style, while viewing the beautiful lakes out of the window.
Finally come to the end of the hike - the lakes opened up to this limestone quarry.
Finally onward to our last two locations, Bled and Ljubljana.
Leave a comment if you liked this part of the travelogue!
SGUnited Singapore Travel Singapore Girl Wanderlust Croatia Slonevia Bosnia Montenegro Singapore EU Travels Adventure to the Balkans Foodie Europe East Europe Plitvice Lakes National Park Zadar Sea Organ Monument of the Sun Jupiter Temple Roman Forum Retiree Retirement Travel
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