- October 20, 2015
- Day 43
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- 45 degrees, some sun
Joy! After yesterday continuous rain, a sunny day at Plitvice Lakes National Park.
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Plitvice Lakes National Park
Two halves make a country. Croatia was divided into two parts as far back as the Ottoman Empire. From Dubrovnik to Split, you drive through a strip of Bosnia and Herzegovina. People have vivid memories of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina war in 1991-95. The three bus drivers fought. The hotel receptionist remembers the sound of bombs and having 24 hours to evacuate her home before it fell into enemy hands. I kept a low profile during the passport check point.
Fort Imperial stood on the high ground becoming a key military position. This former fortress built during the Napoleonic years became the stronghold for the Croatian during the 1991-95 war with Bosnia and Herzegovina
Though the buildings and walls are Roman built, the sounds are a montage of American tunes. Duo street musicians play Johnny Cash while those passing by sing the lyrics. Frank Sinatra’s classics are heard in restaurants. All commercial people (bus drivers, cinema ticket sellers, grocery clerks, manicurist, etc) speak a degree of English. American words are a striking contrast to the written Croatian words my eyes keep seeking to make sense.