Senj & Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Lost as usual finding our accommodation in Senj, having negotiated roadworks and a completely bewildered GPS.

We finally found the place, hidden behind a heavy door and staircase leading up into a very cute and eclectic courtyard, and more stairs to our two apartments. We'd still be looking without the help of the locals.

Senj was our base for a big day's roadtrip to the Plitvice Lakes. We'd heard how beautiful they are, but I don't think anyone can prepare you for those colours and the quantity of water pouring, gushing, trickling, misting. A stunning day, topped off by a late lunch at a rural roadside restaurant where Louise and Col outdid themselves with a light lunch of 9 cevapi (beef sausages) each (they did get some help!); and a visit to a bear refuge tucked into the back streets of a small village.

There were three bears currently in residence (the obvious references to Goldilocks have all been made 😀): one with a limp whose mother was killed by a car when he was a cub; another separated from his mum too early and now the grumpy boss of the three; and another who became too famous and used to humans for her own good. 

We tried swimming in Senj itself but we were a bit spoilt by Rovinj, and sunbathing on the concrete didn't have quite the same appeal. We did visit the 16th century fortress that stands sentinel above the town, giving us a glimpse into Croatian history and a spectacular view of the surrounding area. There was a howling gale, called the Bora, the day we were there, so we could imagine how mastering the Bora would give the people of Senj a massive sea advantage over those 'sneaky' Turks and Venetians.