Last Stop - Slovenia!
Days 14-15: Finale in Slovenia
It
is starting to sprinkle as we leave the hotel, which turns into a driving rain
with lightning as we drive toward the border into Slovenia. It’s the most rain we have had since the
beginning of our tour.
We arrive at Park Skocijanske jame during a brief break in the rain and stay dry on our walk to the cave entrance. Park officials try to keep the caves as natural as possible (low, colorless lighting, extinguished display lights after visitors pass by) to prevent moss and lichen growth. We pass through limestone caves, peer into deep chasms, and marvel at the underground lakes and waterfalls. Recent rain has swollen the underground Reka River, so it is roaring through the cavern with tremendous power. Remnants of the stairs from the 19th century are visible hugging the walls, and the flood of ’64 swept away the handrails, so the stairs look extremely treacherous. The main cavern is monstrous. The scene makes me think of an Indiana Jones movie setting. Photography is prohibited except at the exit.
We arrive at Park Skocijanske jame during a brief break in the rain and stay dry on our walk to the cave entrance. Park officials try to keep the caves as natural as possible (low, colorless lighting, extinguished display lights after visitors pass by) to prevent moss and lichen growth. We pass through limestone caves, peer into deep chasms, and marvel at the underground lakes and waterfalls. Recent rain has swollen the underground Reka River, so it is roaring through the cavern with tremendous power. Remnants of the stairs from the 19th century are visible hugging the walls, and the flood of ’64 swept away the handrails, so the stairs look extremely treacherous. The main cavern is monstrous. The scene makes me think of an Indiana Jones movie setting. Photography is prohibited except at the exit.
The exit from the caves gives impressive views
of the river heading underground into the cavern.
Lake Bled
Rain all the way to Lake Bled. As we approach the lake, George instructs
us to look up and to our right for a WOW! moment. A castle on the rocky bluff above the lake
bursts into view and WOW! Even though Bojan is close to his home and ready to call it a career, he drives
us around the lake for more stellar views and then drops us off for the last time at our hotel.
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After descending the hill, it's time to meet others at Pizzeria Rustiki to split a plate-sized hamburger, followed by the highly recommended cream cakes at Smon Slascicarna. |
Once
checked in, I follow the lakeside walk to the church below the
castle.
From there, a path leads up to the castle. At the castle, I find a narrow, rocky path
up to the castle wall, and I am rewarded with views of the surrounding green
valley and Lake Bled.
Our after dinner walk to the hotel is gorgeous. The air is still balmy and the castle glows against the dark sky. |
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Our final full day starts with a ride on a
pletna (flat-bottom boat) to the island.
We easily trek the 99 steps to the Church of
the Assumption. Tradition says if a groom can carry his bride up the stairs, they have proven themselves fit for marriage. At the church, George shows us the technique of getting the bell to ring
three times on one pull so that your dreams will come true.
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Before leaving the island, I take a quick walk
along the shore to enjoy the views.
The courtyard also offers a multitude of fun photos to take.
The leisurely 3.5 mile walk around the lake provides
an abundance of photo opportunities (I have restrained myself from posting
every shot I took of the island).
We make a brief stop at Tito’s Villa Bled, once the summer residence of the Yugoslav royal family, but it was commandeered by
Marshal Tito during his reign. Even though we
are reminded by the receptionist that the villa “… is not a museum,” we go
upstairs to see Tito's desk and the Socialist Realist wall murals.
All
too soon, it is time for our farewell dinner. We all relate our “George
Moments”, stories about him that stand out over the last two weeks. We say our good-byes to each other, but of course, some of us will
see each other at breakfast and for the ride to the airport, so we’ll have to
do it all again.