Day 8: From Japodski Otoci to Šrbaćki buk

We started the day in our cozy treehouse, waking up to the melodic songs of birds. One little visitor even crashed into our terrace door, but luckily, it was fine and flew away after a few minutes. The view with the morning sun felt like our own private paradise, with turquoise water and mountains right in front of us. We took a quick, invigorating swim in the river, where the 8-degree water jolted us awake. After this refreshing start, we headed to breakfast at the restaurant of Japodski Otoci.
We pedaled 34 km until we reached Šrbaćki Buk. The first hour was an uphill climb, followed by an exhilarating descent. The last part of the road ran alongside the magnificent River Una. The contrast between the lush greenery and the turquoise water was breathtaking. As we pedaled on the Bosnian side, we could see Croatia across the river, which appeared far less inhabited. Most of the campsites and charming farmhouse guesthouses were on the Bosnian side, adding to the area's rustic charm.
Just before arriving at the entrance of the national park, we took a detour onto a dirt road. There, we encountered a very protective doggy that went after Jon and gave him a small, superficial bite on the bum. It seems the dog couldn't resist Jon's juicy bump after all that pedaling, lol. A few minutes later, we arrived at our destination: the magnificent Štrbački Buk waterfalls.
After visiting the waterfalls, we found a charming homestay run by a welcoming Bosnian couple who graciously agreed to prepare a homemade dinner for us. Their hospitality was heartwarming, and they used their own homegrown vegetables and fruits. The dinner was absolutely delicious: Bosnian cheese buns (Pogača), Tarhana soup, and a delightful cabbage and tomato salad with a yogurt dressing, followed by a traditional Bosnian coffee. We couldn't have asked for more. We went to bed with full stomachs and even fuller hearts. The warmth of the people truly fills you up inside as well. If you're ever in the area, don't miss staying at Panzio Vasva and Hazim—it's a must!

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