Croatia: Plitvice

We then headed to Plitvice Lakes National Park (see pink star) because nature is the best! We were again in awe of the crystal, clear water.

Travel trip:
We enjoyed our time at Plitvice Lakes National Park, but it was expensive to enter (about $30 US per day) and extremely crowded.  The first day we were in the park from 3:30 to 7:30pm.  (The crowds thinned out at 5pm.)  That night we stayed at a hotel in the park (which means the entry for the second day is free), so the second day we started around 7:30am.  That helps us avoid the crazy mass of people.  The park is much better when quiet.  If you don't stay in the park, then you have to pay the hefty entry fee again.   

Happy wedding and birthday Courtney!  Sending lots of love.  Happy birthday Grandma Fran.  Hope you celebrate to the fullest!

Croatia: Zagreb and Istria

The majority of our trip was spent in Croatia.

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Croatia became a country in the 1990s.  It was previously part of Yugoslavia.  After WWII but prior to 1991, maps looked like this:

Today, Yugoslavia has divided into multiple countries and the map now looks like this:

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This post will cover our adventures at the locations indicated with pretty, pink stars:

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We flew in and out of Zagreb, so were able to explore the capital some:

Then we headed to the coast.  We enjoyed our time in the region of Istria.  Between WWI and WWII, Istria was part of Italy.  It still has an Italian feel.  Istria is covered in vineyards and the menus are filled with pizza and pasta options.  

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We stayed in Motovun which is a medieval town on top of a hill with a real castle.  A REAL castle!  I was so excited to act as queen and sleep in my castle, but it turns old that real castles don't have air conditioning.  Being royalty is a sweaty job.

We cruised along the coast with stops in Rovinj:

and Opatija which was a popular vacation destination for wealth Eastern Europeans before WWI: 


It left us wondering if this trip could get any better?  Spoiler: It did!

Blown-off

John Kerry was in Doha and he didn't come visit.  I can't believe it.

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Slovenia

We were missing greenery, so Slovenia was heavenly!  Funny how living in the desert changes your vacation preferences.  My criteria now includes somewhere with nature where I can show my knees and shoulders.

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We spent one night at Lake Bled and two nights near Kobarid (see orange stars below) and took a gillion photos.  Prepare yourself to be bombarded with pictures.  They are all too lovely not to share.  

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Our Slovenia adventure started at Lake Bled:

Then we crossed through the Julian Alps and enjoyed some hiking:

We were just blown away by the clarity of the water.

 Then all of Jonathon's dreams came true and we pretended to be mountain goats to visit the source of a river.

While in the Kobarid area, we stayed at a wonderful sheep ranch that had a beautiful garden with delicious produce.

Since we must conquer all tall things, we climbed this mountain.  It was difficult and glorious.

 These mountains were influential during WWI and we discovered many reminders during our hike.  You are still able to walk through the trenches.

 
We got so high that we climbed into a cloud.

And if Slovenia isn't neat enough, it has huge caves!

After Slovenia our crusade continued to a Croatian castle, but I can't write about it now because looking at these pictures made me depressed that we left all that beauty.

Minimalist Packer

I am proud of my exceptional packing skills.  With all our traveling, I have learned how to conquer suitcases.  I'm not embarrassed when I have to shuffle dirty clothes around in bags at the airport check-in counter because a bag is too heavy.  I'm not paying that baggage fee.  

I have learned what is a necessities and what is silly to bring along on a trip.  (Necessities = running shoes. (PERIOD.))  You are thinking about pack a hair dryer.  You make me laugh.  You are bring those heels 'just in case'.  If you are playing the what-if game ("What-if I need to wear a fancy dress") just stop.  You don't need to pack it unless you are positive that you will wear it.  Now, always break this rule for a swimsuit.  My mom taught me that you always pack a swimsuit and I have never been sorry.  Never.

Get your head in the game early.  Packing begins the last time you do laundry before your trip.  Don't you dare wear those clothes again before the trip.  I don't care if you look frumpy or are uncomfortable the week before your trip.  You aren't posing for photos that week or needing to be super relaxed.  That comes during the vacation.  

So if you haven't guessed, all this tough packing love is because we are traveling again.  We are nearing the end of Ramadan and Eid vacation is approaching.  Do you see all those tank tops and shorts.  These shoulders and knees are about to pop into the world with a matching smile.  This is what two weeks looks like.  I have only brought things that I know I will wear.  

The goals is to bring a suitcase slightly larger than a carry-on.  Let the games begin.  And yes, a camelback is required when we travel.

Happy birthday Christopher.  We hope it is a good one.  Happy anniversary Nate and Megan.

Paris

We took a quick escape from Ramadan and got to travel on a 'private' plane.  Apparently not many people fly to Paris on a random Wednesday. (We are working on our selfie skills.)

We were extreme tourists and covered a lot of ground in our three day adventure.

Notre Dame:

Sainte Chapelle:

Eiffel Tower:

 Arc de Triomphe:

Of course we had to climb to the top, because we believe the best views require sweating.

Versailles became our favorite:

 

Fueling (this might have happened often):

Orangerie Museum with Monet's Water Lilies:

Louvre:

 
 
Everyone swarming the Mona Lisa (the tiny painting in the back) when the museum opens:

Montmartre area with Sacre-Coeur basilica (more climbing and sweating):

Moulin Rouge:


Happy birthday Allison and Sammy.  You guys are awesome.  Hope your birthdays are beyond amazing.