We drove up there this morning and spent the day walking up the hill to the castle, touring the inside, and walking the paths around the lake that is situated behind it.
There was a wonderful little restaurant on the lake where the guys enjoyed a hamburger and I shared a pork cutlet with ~D~. It was a gorgeous sunny day and the temperature around 60 degrees.
The castle was built in the late 13th century, but was badly damaged during a family clash, then restored between 1840-1862. The boys were especially in awe of the knight's room, the hunting room and the arms collection with firearms dating from the 15-19th century. The castle contained a large group of portraits showing more than ten generations of the Draskovic family and their relatives. I especially enjoyed the portraits of the children. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures inside the castle!
The back of the castle, with the beautiful lake...
On the way to the castle, we drove through "Krapina." You can imagine how glad I am that I don't live in a city with a name like that! This church really stood out as we passed by, though it is a common fixture in every Croatian town. To me, most of the Croatian villages and towns look the same as you drive through them... just like this....
They seem plain, quaint and quiet. There are no billboards, neon signs, or golden arches towering above. No Walmarts, no fast food chains, no coffee to go. Services are few and far between and are recognized by the blue signs advertising what will be available a few kilometers ahead. Other than that, there is nothing but houses and a church here and there as you drive on and on and on. It is so utterly different from the U.S.
Sometimes we really like it.
Sometimes we wish for a Taco Bell to appear out of nowhere.
2 comments:
I love the pictures! You're not missing much re: fast food. Just think how you'll regard it as a sometime treat rather than an averyday meal when you get back to the States!
What a beautiful part of the world you live in - the scenery is glorious. What an exciting life you must have!!! Naomi
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