The Blue Lake, Imotski!

Heights are not my favourite thing, in fact I will always go out of my way to avoid them, so travelling to The Blue Lake in Imotski was a real challenge. Standing at the top of one of the largest craters I have even seen, looking out at the view in front of me, was pretty scary. Just looking down at the valley below gave me vertigo, so you can imagine my horror, when Cousin Marin suggested we walk down to the bottom to view the lake and then come up again.

The heat was extreme as I made my way down the precarious limestone terraces, towards the partially dried up lake. I had the wrong type of shoes on and slipped most of the way, one wrong footing and I would have flown over the narrow edge and into the abyss below. Still, I persevered enough to make my way down, unable to reach the very bottom, due to the lack of a suitable pathway. The rocky incline was just too much, but I was happy to have made it down ninety percent of the way.

Sat there, looking back at the distance I had just walked, I panicked as I saw the treacherous climb to come. Going back up towards the summit was an even worse challenge, as I left Marin and Darrell and clumsily made my way to the top, trying not to look back. To be honest, it must have been a bit of a sight, as I clung on for dear life, at times grabbing hold of whatever I could to steady my footing. Trying to find something to grip isn't as easy as you think. Most of the rock was loose, and as soon as I thought I had a tight hold, it would give way and the rock would come tumbling down.

By the time I reached the peak I was exhausted, hot and sweating profusely. I sat for just a moment at the summit, trying to catch my breath, looking down at the half a kilometre drop I had just climbed. That was a hell of a walk, unlike anything I had done before, and I was proud of myself for even attempting to do it. Nevertheless, I was glad to be back at the top, sat in an air-conditioned car, heading for lunch.

We had lunch at The Hotel Venesia in Imotski; the views from the restaurant were amazing, just like a framed picture in the background as we ate. I could have sat there hours, just looking at the rolling countryside, which despite the heat here in Croatia was extremely green and lush, unlike the UK, where everything died during the recent drought.

The food at this three-star Hotel was actually fantastic value for money. I paid about £90.00 for the four of us to eat and drink. It included T Bone Steaks and chicken, Pork in a paprika sauce, salad, chips, desert and drinks. This would of course been more expensive along the coast in Makarska, and I am still shocked at how much the prices have increased here in general, but this was still a great price, compared to Britain, and would be a place I would like to visit again.

In the evening Darrell and I took another long walk into Makarska, so I could try and lose some of that weight I had just put on, after the meal in Imotski. We went to the Bolero Cocktail bar along the beach and spent a lovely few hours relaxing. Both of us had a cocktail or two, although at a cost of £40.00 it wasn't cheap. Things have really shot up in price since the pandemic, that is noticeable at every level, but it was well worth it, just being able to unwind and do something we wouldn't otherwise do.

We have a few days, yet, before we leave for London and then Thailand, but this stopover in Croatia has been a welcome break for the both of us. Thailand is going to be far more hectic than here, so these twelve days in Hrvatska have been a Godsend. A few drinks in Bolero was the perfect end to a wonderful, but tiring day. As I put my feet up back at the apartment, I felt my eyes almost immediately close; that's when you know you've had a good day!

---