The next day we drove to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a World Heritage sight and thought to be one of the most beautiful places in Croatia. On the way our driver, Robert stopped at a war memorial showing some of the results of the war of independence in 1991-1992. I won't insult you by pretending to understand the complicated history of Croatia which dates at least back to the 7th century and has been under the domination of numerous states, but it is mind-boggling to know that just twenty years ago much of the country was leveled by the Serbian army and had to be re-built. Only this recently did Croatia achieve independence from Communist rule. Signs from the massive bombings is still evident in many small villages.

Sunday afternoon entertainment in front of our hotel in Zagreb. There were street singers everywhere, mostly individuals playing guitars and singing, but we even had a lady saxophone player who played scales and looked stoned while we enjoyed a glass of wine at an outdoor cafe.

More pictures of Zagreb

Zagreb's very efficient mass transit system is made of trams like this one which race all over the city at short intervals.

Tom and Gwenna with Harry our most knowledgeable and likeable guide

I'm going to post some pictures taken by our resident photographer, Don Brush. He was kind enough to share them with me since my Nike Coolpix S70 is behaving badly. I recommend you do not buy one. Here are some street singers in Zagreb. The small instrument the man in front is playing is called a tambourina, like a very small mandolin. And of course, a classic old lady. Isn't she beautiful? If you look carefully, there is another classic old lady to the far right of the picture.

It’s Wednesday, Sept. 14 and we are leaving Zagreb tomorrow morning, having been here since Saturday. Zagreb is a vibrant, bustling city of about 800,000 people in a country of only 4 ½ million. Our hotel, the Hotel Dubrovnik, is right on the main square and has been the perfect location for exploring the city. We are within walking distance to most of the major sights. The downtown area is filled with cafes where people sit and drink coffee or wine from early morning until into the wee hours.

We had the benefit of a wonderful guide thanks to Gwenna who met him on a previous trip here and was so impressed. Sunday he took us on a walking tour around the hotel which included the market, full of locals shopping for fruits and vegetables, and the old town with its Cathedral which dominates the town from the top of a hill. Later we met a driver who showed us some more of the town including Mirogoj Cemetery. This city cemetery is the final resting place for more than 300,000 souls of all faiths, mostly Catholic since Croatia is about 85% Catholic. Harry told us that it is quite prestigious to be buried there and with space now at a premium, quite expensive. It is one of the most beautiful cemeteries we have seen.

Several views of Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb filled with wonderful monuments and interesting "residents."

One of the many narrow streets in Zagreb filled with restaurants and bars.