July 15: The Blue and the Red

After eating breakfast with our host family in Metkovic for the last time, my roommate Emmie and I said goodbye. We got on the bus with everybody else and left for Split. On our way, we had a couple bathroom breaks, but also stopped to see the Blue Lake and Red Lakes.

Maddy and Hollis making the most of a bathroom stop.

I was excited to see a red lake but it turns out they are named after the color of the rocks around them and was disappointed to find the red lake was not actually red, but glittering teal (the same color as the blue lake). It was still magical. The Blue Lake was our first stop and we ate lunch at the top of the cliffs. We looked at the view and a few people (including me!) hiked down to get a closer look to the lake.

On the hike down to the Blue Lake

On the shores of the Blue Lake

The hike down was fun but challenging. It was a looong way down along some switchbacks that took a while. For some reason, someone thought it would be a good idea to cover the path with gravel instead of something more grippable, but it was not steep and pretty smooth. Everybody was fine and we made it down perfectly alive. As a reward, we put our feet in the cold water and relaxed. Then the trek back up the hill began and I forgot up was harder than down. I struggled a little but when I heard Ain’t No Grave from the group that stayed at the top of the cliff, it kept me going.

The Red Lake

We drove a few minutes and got to the Red Lake. It was an even steeper sort of crater thing that had no way down. We took a quick look from the top and some people tried to hit the water with some rocks but it was so far down we couldn't even see. We hopped back into the bus for our last hour drive to Split. Everyone was exhausted after the adventure and fell asleep. It was a great day so far.

The rare silent bus

Eventually we got to our accommodations in Split, which is in the dorms of the University of Split, and checked in.

Aaliyah staying cozy while checking into our accommodations.

After dinner in the dining hall, we had some organized reflection discussions before free time and eventually heading to our rooms. During free time, some of us played basketball outside while others sat in the common room and spoke with friends.

-Hollis