“Travel is food for the soul, restores our balance, links us to the global community, and allows us to be witness to various cultures, climates, languages, and foods. As we absorb the power of Mother Nature in other parts of the world, witness proof of ancient civilizations, both in the ruins and the buildings that have stood the test of time, we come to realize our small part in the global nature of our earth, which is part of the greater Universe.” Judelle Drake
Street Cafe in Ljubljana |
This small country has it all, and with only 99 inhabitants per square km, Slovenia ranks low among the European countries in population density - compared with 320/km² for the Netherlands or 195/km² for Italy. The Slovenians are very fond of their outdoor lifestyle, whether it is skiing in the Alps (we saw snow on the peaks in late June!), swimming in the Adriatic (their piece of coastline is 46.6km), visiting the beautiful Lake Bled, or exploring the extensive cave system at Postojna, the 2nd largest in the world.
We decided to go on an excursion to Lake Bled (Blejsko jezero) which is a picturesque, glacial lake and lies in the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia, where it adjoins the town of Bled. The lake is 2120 m long, 1380 m wide, with a maximum depth of 30.6 m. A medieval castle (dating back to 1111) towers above the lake on the north shore. We were rowed out to the island in the middle of the lake on a “Pletna” rowing boat to view “The Assumption of Mary's Pilgrimage” Church.
The Pletna boats are passed down from generation to generation and require strong arms to row 20 adults across a large expanse of water! The owners are extremely proud of their unique method of transport and only have rest days when it rains! These wooden boats are approx.7m long and 2m wide. Originally the rights to row on the lake were given to poor families from thevillage of Mlino who were unable to pay their taxes. Under Maria Theresa, 20 families were granted exclusive rights for lake transport and this still exists today.
Statue in Mary's Pilgrim Church |
The Pletna boats are passed down from generation to generation and require strong arms to row 20 adults across a large expanse of water! The owners are extremely proud of their unique method of transport and only have rest days when it rains! These wooden boats are approx.7m long and 2m wide. Originally the rights to row on the lake were given to poor families from the
Pletna on Lake Bled |
Lake Bled |
We finished our excursion with a visit to Villa Bled, a 4* Relais Châteaux Hotel where we were treated to a private tour, then coffee and cake on the beautiful veranda overlooking Lake Bled . Austrian Prince Windisch-Grätz built a beautiful mansion on the site of the present villa when the region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Subsequently, as Bled developed into a cosmopolitan resort for the European elite, the mansion served as a summer residence of the former Yugoslav royal family from 1920. After the Second World War, the villa was rebuilt into a presidential residence of Marshal Tito, where he hosted many important international statesmen.
Villa Bled |
Another highlight of our visit to Slovenia was an outing to the Postojna Caves . This is one of the largest and most easily accessible caves where visitors are carried by an electric train which hurtles along at seemingly break-neck speed into the depths of the earth to view the beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, pillars, and translucent curtain formations.
Another unique feature of the Cave is the “human fish”, proteus anguinus, a creature adapted to the eternal subterranean darkness. The human fish is up to 30 centimetres long and has no eyes—it does not need them. It has no protective pigment either, and its skin is a similar colour to that of Caucasian human beings—hence the creature’s name. The human fish is sometimes swept out onto the surface, when the underground waters are high. Long ago people believed it was a baby dragon, since it came from the underworld. For 200 years it has been one of the main attractions here, and even features on Slovenia ’s coins. We saw one in a special tank and it sent shivers up my spine – so pre-historic looking! The temperature underground remains at 8 Degrees C and jackets are available for hire at the entrance!
We have gained an insight into the history and lives of the people in these former Communist countries and have marveled at the natural beauty of Postojna Caves |
View of Lake Bled from Villa Bled |
Pavement Cafe in Ljubljana |
Polis (Police) Pizza & Beer all in one little street! |
Ljublijana exhausted this tourist so on that note.....
Bye from Slovenia
© Judelle Drake
For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa
www.bradclin.com
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