Today I am taking you to the botanical garden in my town, Zagreb. On rare dry weekends I often go there as it is my oasis in the centre of the town and there I can admire all types of exotic blooms especially the sorts of water lilies that can’t be found anywhere near in the area.
The botanical garden is situated in the very centre of the town, at about 7 minutes walk from the main square. The building in the background with cute owl figures on the roof belongs to the State Archives. Some years back it hosted the National Library and was the most inspiring place for studying when I was a student. The light in this photo came out wrong, but I want to show you a wide angle of the garden regardless.
The moment I step on the grounds of the botanical garden I head to the water lily section. Naturally, it is the part that is attracting most visitors.
Some lilies are still closed and others decided it was time to open their petals.
Familiar sounds are coming from a pond. I have to crouch to see who is calling me. Here it is: the first baby frog I have ever seen. It can’t be bigger than 2 cm (smaller than an inch).
Another gorgeous water lily catches my eye.
There is a fountain that you can admire from a bench. Less then perfect composition shows how relaxed I am.
I might stroll through more shadowed parts of the park (I’ll show them some other time), but I just want to sit here and enjoy the buzz of bees and soft sprinkling of fountains. After all, you won’t find prettier blooms than those lilies.
It is dinner time for some…
and the bell announces it is time to go home. Shame, as I would happily camp here for another hour.
I hope that our hostess Jo will enjoy this walk. I know she can’t resist pretty blooms and water element. Hop over to her place to see where she is taking us this Monday.
So many treats in this post, Paula. Three stunning flowers – the purple one particularly pleases my scorpionic heart – and an insect at work (is it a bee?). I also like the prospects – I didn’t see the entrance from that perspective. It’s quite grand. Were these taken with the camera that died?
I was so excited to see you were posting about somewhere I’ve actually been. Me. In Zagreb. I’m a bit disbelieving now. But I blogged there, therefore I was there!
I actually thought of you while I was compiling these images, and I thought that you weren’t able to see lilies in bloom at that time. Yes, that’s a bee. You are right, Meg. This was taken with my dead camera. The worst part is that it is new – I got it for Christmas. 😦 You wouldn’t believe how down I am now.
Fabulous, Paula! I adore water lilies (who doesn’t?) but that baby frog is the cutest thing and what a fantastic shot of him. It’s funny because not long before I went to Paris I visited Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland and thought you might be rather intrigued by the place. It will be a Thursday’s Special one day (and there were water lilies too, which is what reminded me) 🙂
Thank you very much. I do both appreciate and love this.
Yes, I mellowed too at the site of the baby frog. I will be looking forward to seeing Seaton Delaval Hall when you are ready. Thank you, Jo. I really wanted to share some nicer parts of my town with you.
Something I never thought to ask you, Paula – and it may appear awfully rude, but isn’t meant to be AT ALL: where do Croatians learn such perfect English ? Or were you born ex-patriate and have now returned ?
I have been flirting with Italian for years now (always lazy as I can understand a lot of they are saying). My Spanish and maybe even Portuguese are better. Thank you for your curiosity 🙂
🙂 You are up early. What time is it, Colline? Our botanical garden is open only from April to October, but in late Summer it is showcasing really beautiful water lilies. The entrance is free 🙂
Hi Jo. They said they would call tomorrow afternoon after diagnosis. I just handed it over to the middle man :S. Needless to say, it is a difficult day. What peeves me is that the camera was a Christmas present to me, so not even a year old. How is your boy doing?
Hello Sue, these happened about two weeks ago. We have been having serious rain since then, to the extent that some of our towns are under serious flood threat. I have had a very quiet weekend at home and when I tried to take pics inside my almost new camera decided to die. Are you nervous about your trip?
Oh dear I hope there won’t be flooding and that you are safe from any threat of it. Too bad about your camera.
I am excited about the trip and feel as though I have a hundred things to do but I will be on the plane Friday morning. 🙂
We fly into Rome. Later in the week I will have a post with a map of our upcoming adventures. Thanks to my clever husband who has put a series of maps together so readers don’t get lost along the way. 🙂
Beautiful place and photos. I really like the wide angel one, even if the light is a bit off. I wish that I had a lens with wide angle. My favorite is the bee having dinner, it’s a lovely photo with the Dof, colors and background.
Thank you very much, Max. Hubby likes that bee best too. The sad news is that my camera diead on Sunday (it was a gift for Christmas so not old at all). It is in a shop now and I am waiting (nervously) for the verdict.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: your hubby is a wise man (with great taste too I may add).
It sucks to hear about your camera. Hopefully they can fix it. If it’s a production error, you’ll probably get a new one.
They mentioned a high sum of money and about a month to two months waiting period which was not acceptable. Hubby is thinking of ordering a part and fixing it himself ;)I could not wait for the part to come from China so I bought an upgrade. It was too upsetting being without camera, I am much better now though I might opt for some less expensive travels for a while. Hugs Jo.
She is fine. 🙂 Thank you, Jo, though she is the type that hates spending more than I do – it is just money. Thank God we are all safe and dry for now 🙂
If I may share this link to one lighthouse in Croatia with you. I am thinking of going there for a week next summer http://www.dugiotok.hr/en/attractions-lighthouse-veli-rat. I could not believe this morning when hubby said it would be nice to go to the Adriatic for holidays – usually he hates getting wet (in the sea I mean) 😀
It is on the island called Dugi otok which translates as Long Island :D. There was an article on daily telegraph where they called it Croatian Hawaii. I am familiar with our southern and northern islands, and it is time I got acquainted with the ones in central Adriatic. The accommodation is more pricey than on other islands but it will be cheaper than Seychelles or actual Hawaii 😉 You should come too.
Hvar particularly is very tourist oriented and it is far south for hubby to want to drive. I was there once just stopped for an hour many years ago, as for Korčula I was there often as a child and later as a tourist guide. I like the old town of Korčula – it’s like a mini Dubrovnik with a better layout of streets. They say that Marco Polo was born there. I used to show tourists the house where he was supposedly born. We have a lot of surnames Depolo in Dubrovnik and particularly on Korčula so it must be true 🙂
There is one island that I would absolutely recommend if you even want to go so south – it is Mljet 🙂 They say that Odysseus spent several years there – you see, I still remember a few facts from my years as a tourist guide 😀
I enjoyed your hand picked selections to share from the gardens – I find the amount of photos you gave us is just perfect – not overwhelming and well – I hardly ever get to see water lilies and so I enjoyed those in different stages too. and the music was a nice touch 🙂
A beautiful tour. I love seeing blooms up close, they are so unexpectedly complex. The frog is wonderful, I remember having one this small on my finger tip as a child. I am married to an archivist, so I’ll show him this wonderful building.
Love each and every one of your nature pics… even the first one, the lighting is just fine. Excellent photography, Paula. You do this so well. I absolutely love them. 😉
It’s beautiful Paula especially the unopened lily!
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Thank you, Kathryn. That one is my favourite too 🙂
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So many treats in this post, Paula. Three stunning flowers – the purple one particularly pleases my scorpionic heart – and an insect at work (is it a bee?). I also like the prospects – I didn’t see the entrance from that perspective. It’s quite grand. Were these taken with the camera that died?
I was so excited to see you were posting about somewhere I’ve actually been. Me. In Zagreb. I’m a bit disbelieving now. But I blogged there, therefore I was there!
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I actually thought of you while I was compiling these images, and I thought that you weren’t able to see lilies in bloom at that time. Yes, that’s a bee. You are right, Meg. This was taken with my dead camera. The worst part is that it is new – I got it for Christmas. 😦 You wouldn’t believe how down I am now.
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What did it die of? Youthful deaths are always hard. I hope up returns for you soon.
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I’m taking it to the shop for diagnosis today. That’s why I had to take a day off of my few days of holidays 😦
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Fabulous, Paula! I adore water lilies (who doesn’t?) but that baby frog is the cutest thing and what a fantastic shot of him. It’s funny because not long before I went to Paris I visited Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland and thought you might be rather intrigued by the place. It will be a Thursday’s Special one day (and there were water lilies too, which is what reminded me) 🙂
Thank you very much. I do both appreciate and love this.
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Yes, I mellowed too at the site of the baby frog. I will be looking forward to seeing Seaton Delaval Hall when you are ready. Thank you, Jo. I really wanted to share some nicer parts of my town with you.
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Hugs! Good luck with the camera. I have my fingers and eyes crossed 🙂
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Thank you, Jo 😀
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A very inspiring Zagreb walk, wonderful captures… 🙂
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Maybe it is time for you to visit 🙂 Thank you for taking a walk with me, Drake.
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Beautiful Paula, I do love botanical gardens 🙂
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Then you should come to Zagreb 😉 Nice to have you here , Mike.
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Fine set, Paula! 🙂
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Thanks, Harrie. I could use some tulips too 😉
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🙂
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Something I never thought to ask you, Paula – and it may appear awfully rude, but isn’t meant to be AT ALL: where do Croatians learn such perfect English ? Or were you born ex-patriate and have now returned ?
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You would never offend me by singling me out from the rest of my nation 😀 With a BA in English I would be ashamed if my English was any worse 😉
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But when and how ?
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At our University of Zagreb some ughhhhhh 20!!! years ago (also have a degree in French, but don’t use it these days)
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Aha ! – and now you want to widen your linguistic skills even further, and add on Italian !
Struth ! – that’s what I call clever.:-)
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I have been flirting with Italian for years now (always lazy as I can understand a lot of they are saying). My Spanish and maybe even Portuguese are better. Thank you for your curiosity 🙂
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amazing, great album!
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Thank you for your appreciative comment 🙂
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What terrific photos – the buildings in the background look fascinating and your macro shots are really good.
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Beautiful gardens Paula. Your photo of the baby frog is so cute. And the flower on the lily pad? Stunning.
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🙂 You are up early. What time is it, Colline? Our botanical garden is open only from April to October, but in late Summer it is showcasing really beautiful water lilies. The entrance is free 🙂
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What a wonderful place to visit and be surrounded by all that beauty, peace and tranquility! 🙂
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and it is 15 min walk from my home 🙂 Thank you, Linda .)
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Your photos were a wonderful to wake up to this morning and begin the new week.
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🙂 Thank you, Charlie for visiting me so early in the day.
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What was the verdict? I hope it’s good news!
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Hi Jo. They said they would call tomorrow afternoon after diagnosis. I just handed it over to the middle man :S. Needless to say, it is a difficult day. What peeves me is that the camera was a Christmas present to me, so not even a year old. How is your boy doing?
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Up and ‘running’ and the leaky car radiator is replaced so he’s back to Leeds tonight, thanks.
It must be fixable- I’m thinking positive thoughts! 🙂
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That gives me hope Jo. Thank you. I’ll keep you posted. 🙂
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Indubbiamente splendido , questo post!
Buona settimana!
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Grazie Anna, anche a te 🙂
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Paula are these gorgeous pictures in real time? I love the wee frog perhaps best of all. What a beautiful walk in your city.
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Hello Sue, these happened about two weeks ago. We have been having serious rain since then, to the extent that some of our towns are under serious flood threat. I have had a very quiet weekend at home and when I tried to take pics inside my almost new camera decided to die. Are you nervous about your trip?
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Oh dear I hope there won’t be flooding and that you are safe from any threat of it. Too bad about your camera.
I am excited about the trip and feel as though I have a hundred things to do but I will be on the plane Friday morning. 🙂
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What airport are you flying to?
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We fly into Rome. Later in the week I will have a post with a map of our upcoming adventures. Thanks to my clever husband who has put a series of maps together so readers don’t get lost along the way. 🙂
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Cool 🙂
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Lovely walk in the garden. Beautiful photos too. Thanks for taking me with you.
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Anytime Scrapydo 😉 Thank you for your visit.
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😀
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Adding my voice to your frog fans, Paula. 🙂 And crossing my fingers for good news about your camera…
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Thanks so much Lisa. I am still waiting…
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So beautiful!
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Glad you enjoyed it Mekala. Thank you for your visit 🙂
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Beautiful place and photos. I really like the wide angel one, even if the light is a bit off. I wish that I had a lens with wide angle. My favorite is the bee having dinner, it’s a lovely photo with the Dof, colors and background.
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Thank you very much, Max. Hubby likes that bee best too. The sad news is that my camera diead on Sunday (it was a gift for Christmas so not old at all). It is in a shop now and I am waiting (nervously) for the verdict.
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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: your hubby is a wise man (with great taste too I may add).
It sucks to hear about your camera. Hopefully they can fix it. If it’s a production error, you’ll probably get a new one.
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Hubby lost the receipt 😦
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Don’t they keep records in the shop?
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No, they don’t have the buyer’s details. This is really upsetting. I hope to have some news today, as it is driving me crazy.
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A very relaxing walk, Paula. Love the little froggie and the beautiful purple water lily. 🙂
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🙂
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Lovely photos… Enjoyed the macros…
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Thanks a bunch, Lumar 🙂
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How wonderful to be so near to this treasure! Sorry to hear about your camera Paula, what a pain for you . . . 😦
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I am comforted now, holding a new cam that I’ll be paying off for 36 months 🙂
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Could they not fix it? That’s a bit bad. Here’s to many happy hours of playing with the new one, Paula. Hugs! 🙂
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They mentioned a high sum of money and about a month to two months waiting period which was not acceptable. Hubby is thinking of ordering a part and fixing it himself ;)I could not wait for the part to come from China so I bought an upgrade. It was too upsetting being without camera, I am much better now though I might opt for some less expensive travels for a while. Hugs Jo.
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Oh good- you can do some lovely reports on Croatia for me. There’s always a bright side, Paula. Well, usually. How’s Mum coping?
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She is fine. 🙂 Thank you, Jo, though she is the type that hates spending more than I do – it is just money. Thank God we are all safe and dry for now 🙂
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If I may share this link to one lighthouse in Croatia with you. I am thinking of going there for a week next summer http://www.dugiotok.hr/en/attractions-lighthouse-veli-rat. I could not believe this morning when hubby said it would be nice to go to the Adriatic for holidays – usually he hates getting wet (in the sea I mean) 😀
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Looks absolutely gorgeous! It’s on an island? Sounds perfect. Who needs Seychelles. 🙂
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It is on the island called Dugi otok which translates as Long Island :D. There was an article on daily telegraph where they called it Croatian Hawaii. I am familiar with our southern and northern islands, and it is time I got acquainted with the ones in central Adriatic. The accommodation is more pricey than on other islands but it will be cheaper than Seychelles or actual Hawaii 😉 You should come too.
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I almost volunteered myself 🙂 Have you been to Hvar and Korcula? I gather they’re the most tourist orientated so maybe not for you?
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Hvar particularly is very tourist oriented and it is far south for hubby to want to drive. I was there once just stopped for an hour many years ago, as for Korčula I was there often as a child and later as a tourist guide. I like the old town of Korčula – it’s like a mini Dubrovnik with a better layout of streets. They say that Marco Polo was born there. I used to show tourists the house where he was supposedly born. We have a lot of surnames Depolo in Dubrovnik and particularly on Korčula so it must be true 🙂
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There is one island that I would absolutely recommend if you even want to go so south – it is Mljet 🙂 They say that Odysseus spent several years there – you see, I still remember a few facts from my years as a tourist guide 😀
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I’ve heard of that one 🙂
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I enjoyed your hand picked selections to share from the gardens – I find the amount of photos you gave us is just perfect – not overwhelming and well – I hardly ever get to see water lilies and so I enjoyed those in different stages too. and the music was a nice touch 🙂
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ps – sorry to hear about your camera – I came here from Jo’s blog and well, hope the camera doctor can help.
peace
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Beautiful
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Merci Mon Ange 🙂
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A beautiful tour. I love seeing blooms up close, they are so unexpectedly complex. The frog is wonderful, I remember having one this small on my finger tip as a child. I am married to an archivist, so I’ll show him this wonderful building.
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🙂 Lovely to read you Hillary. If your archivist wants to see the building here is a proper post about it 🙂 https://bopaula.wordpress.com/2013/04/26/weekly-photo-challenge-culture/
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Love each and every one of your nature pics… even the first one, the lighting is just fine. Excellent photography, Paula. You do this so well. I absolutely love them. 😉
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😆 much obliged
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Wow! THIS is what you want to see first thing in the morning. I actually love the first photograph – beautiful colors and composition!
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I’m another one who adores walking around Botanic Gardens, well, actually, ANY garden. This is so peaceful. And I love the photo of your lotus bud.
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Thanks a lot Jude 🙂
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