Unforgettable excursion
A lot has been written about the magnificent nature of Croatia, and I will write about the Biokovo National Nature Park, located in the Makarska Riviera region. This is a mountain range with the highest point - the top of St. Yuri, the height above sea level is 1762 meters. Biokovo Natural Park was established in 1981 as part of Yugoslavia, and since 1998 - as part of Croatia. We rested in the small town of Podgora, just at the foot of this massif. From there we were offered an excursion to Biokovo. The brief description of this excursion did not inspire me. The fact is that I am terribly afraid of heights and climbing 23 km along the serpentine to the top of the mountain just scared me. However, the persuasion of the son and our friends worked. We decided to go! We were put into two minibuses and now we are on our way. The road winds in a serpentine, one lane wide. On one side of the cliff, on the other - a cliff. At the same time, barriers are not everywhere. Uff!! ! In order for two cars to pass each other, at a certain distance there are so-called "pockets" - small areas on the side. Previously, the slopes of the mountains were dotted with forests, but then most of the territory was burned out under the fields. . In the mountains, up to a height of 1100 m, there are villages. Ecologically clean agricultural products are grown on the fields. The guide explained to us that it is expensive for Croats to fertilize the fields with chemistry, so everything grows by itself. The first observation deck at an altitude of 1228 meters. From it you can see the remains of ancient settlements, below residential villages with houses, like matchboxes. The spirit is captivating! But we still have to go more than 500 meters up. Well, here we are. You can relax a little. There is a TV tower at the top of St. Yuriy. Also a 16th century church. At that time, it had recently been restored. There is a belief: if you make a pyramid of pebbles and make a wish, it will come true. Of course, we all guessed. And believe me - I did it! Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and even the islands of Italy are visible from the top. We took photos as a keepsake and headed back. The good news was that on the way back we had to go from the side, which is closer to the rock, and not to the cliff. Even though the road is so narrow it's almost all the same. . . On the way back we were taken to a mountain restaurant (somewhere in the middle of the way). The owner has a completely subsistence economy. Sheep graze here. looked after by the sweetest and most affectionate dogs. But when any sheep goes aside. then the dog makes a "brutal muzzle" and yelps severely until the lamb returns to the herd. We were fed with delicious snacks without chemicals, hot meat, vegetables. Poured homemade wine. After the experienced fears, we all relaxed and the further path seemed even pleasant. Finally, here we are at the bottom. Hooray! If I were offered to go to Biokovo again, then definitely - NO!! ! But to everyone who will rest in Croatia, I recommend - go MANDATORY. You will not forget these impressions!
