A Lazy Day in Croatia

At the park information , we were convinced that we could "do" the park in a day and save ourselves quite a lot of money, plus she explained that the layout was really meant for a day, so, as today was not predicted to be the better day, we decided to just take a short drive today and then take a day of rest and reading.

We started with a hearty breakfast with Ana and her 15 year old son, Antonio.  After small talk, she told us that they were refugees during the 4 years do Serb occupation, living on the coast and then I Karlovac.  They told us every house on the street, which are mostly sobe, we rebrand new because everything had been destroyed.  But, they also said that two neighbors were Serbs and expressed hope for the future.  Antonio is training to be a policeman.  They both said there are few good jobs around here.
We then drive north along the Korana to a the village of Rastoke, where it meets the Slunj River.  There were bus loads of tourists as there were dozens of waterfalls, some of which had been channeled years ago to power dozens of mills.  Here, too, war took its toll.  The retreating Serbs attempted to blow up the bridge, and dwellings and roofs caught fire. The bridge stood, however.  Furthermore, explosives were thrown in the river damaging the travertine, but we certainly could not tell that.

Then, afterwards, we came back here, had lunch in our room, read and slept the afternoon away!

We went down the road for dinner to Bistro Vila Velebita, recommended by our B & B.  Mark had sausages and I had wood grilled trout.  Very good.