Krka National Park

Saturday 21 July 2012  - Krka National Park and the Russians.

Day 99 and 60 to go

Oh gawd an alarm to wake us up, we haven’t had one of those in a while. So with 7am here we were up and getting ready for a day trip to Krka National Park.

We wandered through our quiet camp as people were just starting their day. It was so quiet, even the beach was divine. We watched the black squirrels jumping and playing keeping us quite entertained.

At 7.50am we were collected by Sirena Touring, another German woman was already on the minibus and we proceeded into Split to collect 2 more Russian women, who would prove to be the great day spoiler.

We stopped at the outer walls where we waited for our guide. We enjoyed a chocolate croissant that was so messy it made us laugh.

At 8.30am and with our guide in tow we drove out of Split, being given a running commentary of different things of interest along the way, particularly the Roman ruins in Saloma.

We followed the coast for a short while before moving into the more rugged and isolated hinterland. Here people cultivate the land, producing olives, grapes, walnuts, almonds and figs to name a few.

At 10am we arrived at Skradin where we were told by our guide that we would take a boat into the park and she would pick us up at 2.30pm just outside the park. This is important, you will need to remember it for later! We were shown and given a map explaining where we were to meet. She was very clear with us all.

The boat was not due to leave until 11am so we were free to wander the main street of Skradin checking out the coloured buildings that take their form from Venetian influence. Soon after we waited to board the boat at a small jetty, along with the hundreds of other tourists. Once on it was a lazy 25min sail up the Krka river.

When we arrived we entered the park, paid 5 Kuna to go to the loo and then walked down to Skradinski Buk, an amazing waterfall that has many cascading edges. It was pretty impressive, but getting good pictures proved difficult due the crowds. The waterfall is made of Travertine that is limestone that settled out of the water on top of other organisms that help to create it.

There were many people swimming in the large pool below the falls. We were intending to join them as we had our swimming gear with us, but watching others slipping and sliding around we decided we wouldn’t bother.

At midday we made the decision to have lunch at the restaurant just enjoying the tranquility of the place. The noise of the cicadas and waterfalls was quite intense. We didn’t move for a while.

With 2 hours before being collected we began the 2km walk that takes you further into the forest and passed many more rivulets, waterfalls and pools. The colours reflected by the limestone made the water so vivid. We were also impressed by the great number of fish in the pools you could have easily netted a bucket load with one scoop. Some of them were a really good size too.

We continued to meander along the boardwalk, impressed by the picture postcard views around each bend. At 1.30pm we had made it to a cluster of old buildings in which different old-fashioned industries were displayed to demonstrate how the area was used. We peaked inside them before stopping for refreshments, as it was 33 degrees and quite warm walking around. At this point we also saw the Russian couple another important fact to remember.

It was now 2pm and we decided to make our way to our meeting point that we made by 2.10pm after stopping along the way to marvel at the view and fish and take some last pictures.

We met the guide at the van and then began our wait. We figured the Russians would not be far behind and we were concerned that the German lady may get lost, as she had already rechecked directions with us when we got on the boat so we were a bit concerned. However, it was not her we need to worry about as she turned up at 2.30pm. Now for the Russians.

3pm arrived and still no sign. We were getting a bit peeved at this stage and figured they owed us a drink for keeping us waiting. The guide said she had given them the instructions 3 times and explained the time, but she figured maybe they thought she said 3.30pm, so we proceeded to wait and wait and wait.

By now we were more than peeved and at 3.45pm we convinced the guide it was time to leave. So it was in the van and back to Skradin just in case they had caught the boat back. Nope!

So we were leaving the Russians behind and an hour and a half of our trip wasted. We were supposed to stop in Sibenik but I was just over it so we asked to return to camp. The German woman elected to be dropped in Sibenik and she would make her own way back to Split.

We then made the trek home returning to the camp at 5.45pm thankful to be home but peeved that our day didn’t quite go to plan.

We made a quick stop at the van to dump our gear and then we walked around to the shop to buy supplies in readiness for the next few days. Big drive tomorrow.

Once back we hung out in the van unwinding from our day.