VISIT WETLAND HUTOVO BLATO WITH ME!

Every visit to Nature Park Hutovo blato is incredibly special. This visit was unplanned, a last moment sort of thing. While I would agree that (generally speaking) planning is important,  sometimes the best trips aren't planned. Since we didn't plan to visit, I didn't wear proper footwear. So, I was walking around this wetland nature park in heeled pointy boots like a fashion lover that I sometimes am. Don't worry, I tripped only once- and not because of the heels. There was a hole in the ground that wasn't visible because it was covered by freshly cut grass. Anyhow, I survived but I definitely recommend more sensible shoes to you. Fortunately, I had enough sense to bring a straw hat. The sun was strong that day but I welcomed it (thanks to the shade provided by my hat). Finally, I had a definite feeling that Spring has arrived. It was a lovely (if short) escape from the absolutely catastrophe that is the world today. 

Sometimes all we need to rewind is  a few minutes of just breathing and existing. While I stood overlooking Hutovo Blato and doing just that, I felt at peace.  For a moment, I felt like I was in India, even if I have never actually been to India. It must be the effect of all the greenery and cows. While I remember seeing cows in this nature park on my previous visits, I have never before so many. Moreover, the cows and their calves looked very  happy. Maybe that is what made me think of India. Happy cows. Apart from India, this nature parks naturally makes me think of other gorgeous nature parks I've visited, for example Krka national park in Croatia. What makes Hutovo blato is so unique (and I'm sure I've said it many times) is that it is an unique wetland. 

Svaki posjet parku prirode Hutovo blato je poseban na svoj način. Ova posjeta je bila neplanirana, nešto izvedeno u posljednjem trenutku. Iako bih se složila da je (generalno gledano) planiranje važno, ponekad se najbolji izleti ne planiraju. Kako nismo planirali posjetiti ovaj park prirode, nisam obukla odgovarajuću obuću. Dakle, šetala sam močvarnim parkom prirode u čizmama na špic s visokom potpeticom poput zaljubljenika u modu kakav stvarno jesam ponekad. Ne brinite, spotaknula sam se samo jednom - i to ne zbog visokih potpetica. U zemlji je bila rupa koja se nije vidjela jer je bila prekrivena svježe pokošenom travom. U svakom slučaju, preživjela sam, ali svakako vam preporučujem razumniju obuću. Srećom, imao sam dovoljno pameti ponijeti slamnati šešir. Sunce je tog dana bilo jako, ali sam ga dočekala (zahvaljujući hladu koji mi je pružio šešir) s radošću. Konačno, imah osjećaj da je proljeće sigurno stiglo. Bio je to lijep (mada kratak) bijeg od apsolutne katastrofe kakva je svijet današnjice.

Ponekad je sve što trebamo za doći sebi nekoliko minuta disanja i postojanja. Dok sam stajala s pogledom na Hutovo blato i uživala u trenutku, osjećala sam se spokojno. Na trenutak sam se osjećala kao da sam u Indiji, čak i ako nikad nisam bila u Indiji. Mora biti učinak svega tog zelenila i krava. Dok se sjećam da sam prilikom svojih prethodnih posjeta vidjela krave u ovom parku prirode, nikad prije nisam toliko. Štoviše, krave i njihova telad izgledale su vrlo sretno. Možda je to ono što me natjeralo da pomislim na Indiju. Sretne krave. Osim Indije, ovi parkovi prirode me naravno tjeraju na razmišljanje o drugim prekrasnim parkovima prirode koje sam posjetila, na primjer nacionalni park Krka u Hrvatskoj. Ono po čemu je Hutovo blato toliko jedinstveno (i sigurno sam to rekla puno puta) je to što je unikatna močvara.

 Regular readers of my blog will know that Hutovo blato is one of my favourite places in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

MY PREVIOUS  (YEARLY) VISITS TO WETLAND NATURE PARK HUTOVO BLATO

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/06/visit-hutovo-blato-wetland-nature-park.html- this was A SUMMER VISIT TO NATURE PARK HUTOVO BLATO . There you can find tips on what to do in this nature park as well as some nice photography. Bellow are links to more visits:

NATURE PARK HUTOVO BLATO AUGUST (SUMMER) 2020 

HUTOVO BLATO (SUMMER) 2019

LET'S VISIT HUTOVO BLATO, JANUARY (WINTER) 2018 

MORE OLDER VISITS AND  LINKS BELLOW: 

here and here (Winter 2017) 

here  and here (Autumn 2017)

here (Summer 2016)

 here (Spring 2015)

 here  and here (Summer 2015)

 here (Summer 2013) and here (Winter 2013)

here (photographs taken during Summer 2012 but published during Winter 2013)

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT NATURE PARKS IN THE AREA, DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY POST ABOUT PROTECTED AREAS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA! 

OFFICIAL SITE/SLUŽBENA STRANICA- HUTOVO BLATO

WHAT TO SEE AND DO AT NATURE PARK HUTOVO BLATO?

TOP SEVEN THINGS TO DO IN HUTOVO BLATO:

1. TRY OUT THE NEW ADVENTURE PARK TRACK AND ROCK CLIMBING

 On this particular visit to Hutovo blato we noticed something new. There's an adventure track and a rock climbing polygon. That's something fresh, so why not try it? Exercise while outdoors in nature has got to be healthy. There was nobody doing it that we could see, so maybe one needs to book in advance or something. Maybe next time we shall ask around. 

2. GO FOR A BOAT RIDE AND ENJOY MAGNIFICENT VIEWS (BRING YOUR CAM!)
I went for a boat ride twice and it was such a great experience, I might do it again.  It's all about that interaction with the environment. If you like boats, its definitely something you should try. For more information about boat rides, feel free to visit my old posts. Basically, the typical boat rides aren't expensive because the cost can be split between passengers on board. Once you get to this park, you just go and ask around, there should be some boats available for a drive around. You can also pay for a private ride, but that would be a more pricey option. Best option is to split the costs among people you come by around (or come with). The boat rides I had here were such amazing experiences, I can't recommend them enough. It is also nice to feel the breeze that way because it can get very warm here in spring.The boat ride is possibly the best way to experience the wetlands. It really gives us an unique experience. If you want to experience something truly special, go for a boat ride!

3. VISIT A SECRET BRIDGE THAT IS EVEN OLDER THAN THE FAMOUS OLD BRIDGE

Right next to the sign announcing entrance to the park, you can see a very old bridge. In fact, I took photos of it many times. If you don't know it is there and if you don't look carefully, you can easily miss it. For some reason, nobody really pays attention to this historical bridge.  This bridge is even older than the more famous and more 'touristy' old bridge in Mostar. Don't miss this spot!

4. DINE OR STOP FOR COFFEE AT THE RESTAURANT MOTEL PARK
There is a nice restaurant/motel in the park that I can recommend.  We always stop there either for a cup of coffee or a meal. You can also stay there. Maybe I'll try that some day too.

5. GO HIKING OR CYCLING Besides taking a boat ride, hiking and cycling are also a great ways to explore this nature park. Exercise is good for our health

6. DISCOVER THE AMAZING NATURAL BEAUTY AND WILDLIFE- BIRD-WATCHING IN PARTICULAR IS A MUST THING HERE!

  The wild life you can spot is an additional bonus. If you're into bird-watching, this is a place for you!We always end up seeing so many birds. There are literally everywhere, you cannot miss them.

7. TAKE A SOUVENIR WITH YOU!

You can find a shop or two at the premises, so why not take a souvenir with you?

WHAT MAKES US FALL IN LOVE WITH SOME PLACE?

Whatever it might be that makes us love a certain place (and probably it is a sum of different factors), I know there ALSO exists that X factor. It is like when we really like somebody even when we can explain it. When we just hit it off with somebody, often we cannot explain why  exactly we feel drawn to that person. That's that factor X. There is still a bit of mystery left in this world and I quite like it that way. We don't have to always know everything and be able to explain everything. Secrets have a charm of their own. 

 We can share all our lives with someone, share almost everything with them and yet feel closer to some person we have just met. Sometimes there exists such a connection.  Sometimes we just click with somebody and become friends in a matter of minutes. The same is with places. Some destinations just end up being our happy places. It doesn't happen often, but it's been known to happen. It may be because there is something deeper that links us to this person. We don't really know what it is.  A connection of souls....and perhaps places have souls too. Did it ever happen to you that you felt connected with some place? In what way? Do you believe that places have souls of their own?

ŠTO NAS NAVODI DA SE ZALJUBIMO U NEKO MJESTO? 

Što god bilo što nas navodi da volimo određeno mjesto ( a vjerojatno se radi o zbroju više faktora), znam da uvijek postoji i onaj faktor x. To je kao kada vam se netko jako sviđa. Često ne možemo osjetiti što nas točno privlači toj osobi. Ima još misterija u ovome svijetu i meni je drago što je tako. Ne moramo uvijek sve znati i sve moći objasniti. Tajne imaju svoju čar. Veze između ljudi su uvijek ispunjene paradoksima. 

Možemo cijeli život dijeliti s nekom osobom, sve dijeliti s njima i opet se osjećati bližima nekoj osobi koju smo tek upoznali. Ponekad postoji takva veza.  Nekad jednostavno se dogodi ta poveznica s nekom osobom i postanemo prijatelji za nekoliko minuta. Ne događa se često, ali događa se. Možda je to jer nas uz tu osobu veže nešto duboke. Ne znamo stvarno o čemu se radi. Tako je  nekako i sa mjestima. Poveznica duša...i možda i mjesta imaju duše. Je li se vama ikada dogodilo da se osjećate povezanima s nekim mjestom? Na koji način? Vjerujete li da mjesta imaju svoju dušu?

THE STORY OF MY OUTFIT- HOW I WORE IT BEFORE?

THE BLACK AND WHITE COAT- HERE

THE WHITE FOLKLORE CROATIAN SHIRT- HERE

THE WAISTCOAT (BORROWED FROM HUBBY)

THE STRIPED MINI- HERE

THE POINTY HEELED BOOTS- HERE- I have actually illustrated these boots twice!

HUTOVO BLATO- A WETLAND OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE

Hutovo Blato Nature Park was designated as a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) under the Ramsar Convention on 24 September 2001.

• Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
•  Site number : 1105
•  Area: 7,411 ha
•  Wetland type(s): Sub-Mediterranean wetland
•  Management Authority: Public Enterprise Hutovo Blato Nature Park, Čapljina (OfficialJournal of HR HB No. 45/95), established by the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Assembly*
• *https://medwetmanagers.net/hutovo-blato/ 27.4.2022

ZA ONE KOJI ŽELE ZNATI VIŠE: 

Hutovo blato, submediteranska močvara u južnoj Hercegovini, BiH; 74 km². Leži 7 km jugoistočno od Čapljine, u području rijeke Neretve. Hutovo blato je depresija koja je vapnenačkim grebenom Ostrovo (123 m) podijeljena na Gornje Hutovo blato s Deranskim blatom i Donje Hutovo blato sa Svitavskim blatom; uz njih postoji i cio niz jezeraca (Škrka, Jerim, Drijen, Orah i dr.). Močvaru odvodnjava rijeka Krupa (pritok Neretve). Obitavalište je riba (24 vrste; som, cipal, šaran, linjak i dr.) i jegulje te mnogobrojnih ptica močvarica (povremeno do 235 vrsta). Zaštićeno kao park prirode (od 1995); na Ramsarskom je popisu močvara od 2001. Vodom umjetne akumulacije Svitavsko jezero (izgrađeno 1979) opskrbljuje se reverzibilna HE »Čapljina«.

Citiranje:

Hutovo blato. Hrvatska enciklopedija, mrežno izdanje. Leksikografski zavod Miroslav Krleža, 2021. Pristupljeno 27. 4. 2022. <http://www.enciklopedija.hr/Natuknica.aspx?ID=26756

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