Sarajevo might have captivated my heart with its charming old town and scrumptious food, but Plitvice Lake hypnotized me. The journey from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Zagreb, Croatia took almost 8 hours for a cost of 188 HRK per person. As it was an overnight bus, I slept throughout the journey due to tiredness of walking around Sarajevo during the day.
From Sarajevo to Plitvice Lakes – The Transportation
By the time we reached Zagreb, it was 6.30am. I was thankful that we reached before 8am as our pre-purchased Prijevoznik Knezevic Plitvicka Jezera bus was scheduled to leave at 8am. The ticket was 98HRK (2-3 hours). Some people opt for a day trip to Plitvice Lakes would use this bus service which would take them to Plitvice Lakes (Entrance 1) or Plitvice Lakes(Entrance 2).
The bus cut through the forest and climbed the hill. Looking out the windows, spread along the highway were Croatian villages. Once we saw the crystal clear river and as the bus crossed the bridge near Rastoke, we knew we were about to reach Plitvice Lakes. Everyone in the bus craned their necks over the windows and springed out their bumps from their seats at short intervals. When the bus stopped at Plitvice Lakes (Entrance 1), a park ranger hopped on the bus to brief the visitors. She pointed out where we could purchase our tickets, when is the last bus heading back to Zagreb, where you can purchase the bus ticket, the routes in the park, where to store luggage etc.
Apartment Sanja, Plitvice Lakes
We stayed on the bus until we reached Plitvice Lakes (Entrance 2) also known as Mukinje bus station. We followed the map as provided by Apartment “Sanja” where we will be staying for 2 nights. Apart from having to climb the stairs and problematic internet connection, Apartment Sanja is very comfortable. After spending nights at hostels and on the bus, it warmed my heart to finally feel at home. There, we heated our Brahim’s nasi lemak for lunch before walking to the the entrance 2 of Plitvice Lakes.
The walk to Plitvice Lakes from Apartment Sanja. It’s quiet and so green.
Common signboards at Plitvice Lakes
When we reached the entrance to buy our tickets, there was already a long queue. I enjoyed the price at 130HRK for two-day ticket meanwhile Mira bought hers at 180 HRK. All you need is to bring your student card. There are seasonal price difference, so you better cross refer to the official site of Plitvice Lakes. If you arrived from else where and ran out of HRK currency, there is a currency exchange counter at Entrance 2.
The weather was not friendly as it started drizzling when we first arrived in Plitvice Lakes. I also examined the weather forecast and unfortunately, we were in the middle of rainy week. But until the rains fell, I was hoping the weather forecast was not accurate and that the sun might shine bright and the skies blue. It proved that the technology we have now is near accurate as far as forecasting rain is concerned. So we had to utilized our umbrellas and rain coats. For the first day, we decided to cover the Upper Lakes which required us to board the ferry for 10 minutes to reach the other side of the lakes.
The summer crowd waiting for the ferry to arrive.
There are many waterfalls on this trail.
The boardwalk is everywhere and everyone had to walk in a file. The thing about travelling to Pitvice Lakes during the summer is the summer crowd. Imagine the congestion one would cause if one were to take long time to find composition for pictures. Setting up a tripod was out of question at this time of the year especially when it was raining.
The water was so crystal clear even the colour of the tree trunk is real.
The small waterfall at the beginning of the Upper Lakes.
Water is flowing from everywhere. Under the wooden boardwalk, from under the leaves. Literally everywhere.