When wrongs are rights

In Portugal we have an expression called jogo de cintura, that translates literally as "waist game": it's a skill one must have, to tackle the unexpected. So if you encounter a difficult or unexpected situation and you can handle it properly, you have a good jogo de cintura.

I had to resort to mine when two days ago, my phone died during the night and I missed the bus to see what was one the main reasons for coming to Croatia in the first place.

But what are vacations without a little bit of the unexpected, anyway? The question is, you either try and make the most of everything and adapt to the situation, or you can just feel miserable and complain. And that can be said about everything in life in general; fortunately, I tend to look on the bright side.

Yes, I sweared a ton. But while relaxing at this beach after having contacted the travel company I was supposed to go with... how not to feel good? The weather was warm, the water crystal clear, and my mental ramblings got me thinking that sometimes stuff happens for a reason!

Being able to enjoy a lazy day and put some things in perspective was one of them. Seeing wildlife up close was another! The hooded crows were busy picking their lunch from the rocks, and one of them probably considered stealing my backpack; fortunately I was vigilant... and with a camera on my hands.

For four times, I saw an european kingfisher fly in front of me, back and forth: it's one of my favourite species, and I'm sure most of the #featheredfriends community can relate about the joy of seeing these creatures up close. It's hard for me to see them, let alone 4 times in the same morning. The cherry on top? I was able to capture it on camera!! And hopefully got the best kingfisher photographies I ever took (I had only been able to photograph it one time in my life, from far away)!

Later that day, I found out that they would let me take the trip on the next day... and without any extra charge! The weather forecast wasn't brilliant, with rain expected, and that would mean changing travel plans, getting another hotel room in Split, and missing one day in the next destination. Whatever, it would probably be worth it!

And what happened?

I had a blast.

Plitvice national park is absolutely stuning, and the weather was sunny most of the day. The only rain that dropped? A couple minutes,and already on the way back!

I won't share many photos of the park now, because such a beauty deserves its own post.

Our guide was amazing, and gave me tons of cool info of the park and also from Split, places to see, stuff to try! After an incredible day, finally tasted some traditional dishes, such as the pasticada.

I'm too lazy to describe it, but trust me, it's sooo good.

The changing plans and new arrangements in my trip also took me to an island the following day that I wasn't planning to see, and proved to be also one of the highlights of my trip so far: Korcula, midway between Split and Dubrovnik.

Also known as little Dubrovnik. And since I'll be in Dubrovnik soon... I'll be able to see if that holds true! 😁

All things considered... some things we can control, others we don't. And as for the latter, we just have to adapt, and try to make the most of the situations. Because sometimes the "bad things"... end up being the best it could happen!