Travel Stories | Expat Life
Mike had a lot of fun this summer playing with the super-speed function on his camera. I took all of his little clips from the countries we visited together and made a little video.
Five countries in less than two minutes… here we go… !!!
Dizzy?
xo, jill
*Where my travelators at?!
Minus the cube of yeast.
Novelty Snack: Kviki paprika flavor
Verdict: Thumbs neutral
Novelty Snack: Kremma Rezina
Verdict: Thumbs neutral
Novelty Snack: Bobi
Verdict: Thumbs up!
Novelty Snack: Cockta!
Verdict: Thumbs down!
xo, jill
Contents unknown.
After our sleep in prison, Mike and I boarded a train to the tiny town of Divaca. Just a few kilometers away is the entrance to a massive underground cave system known as the Skocjan Caves.
Visitors to the caves must join a guided tour but there are a few different routes to choose from. We stuck to the classic route since we had places to be later in the day.
Unfortunately, photographs are not allowed inside the caves but if you’d like a little peek click here.
Inside, the caves are surprisingly massive. (It’s the volume of the caves that make them so famous.) I never felt claustrophobic once. The only anxiety provoking parts were crossing the 47 meter high bridge and seeing the old dilapidated “tourist trails” on the steep sides of the caves. It’s a wonder no early tourists died on their adventures.
The tour lasts about an hour and a half and exits not too far from the ticket office. Here’s the exit point of the cave.
After our spelunking, we set about figuring out how to get to Italy. It wasn’t as easy/cheap as we hoped. We needed to take the train to another town (Sezana) and then a taxi into Trieste. Once in Trieste, it got a bit iffy. With no map, limited directions to our hostel (“It’s near the Gallery”), and heavy packs, I felt a little discouraged. Luckily, wandering around the city eventually led us to the poorly placed tourist information office and then our hostel shortly after that.
The only exciting thing to report from Trieste would be the greatest license plate of all time:
xo, jill
Tiny.
After retuning from hiking Vintgar Gorge, we hopped onto a pletna and headed towards the island. I don’t know exactly how it works for the pletna pilot, but at 12 euros a head and 20+ heads on a boat, it seems like a pretty sweet job. Mike and I were both thinking we were in the wrong business (although I’m sure they pay some sort of tax for the right to operate). As soon as I bulk up my arms (and learn to swim properly), I’m heading back to the dock with a resume in hand.
It takes about 30 minutes to reach the island and you are given 30 minutes to explore as you like. You can also hire your own boat but we were told that private rentals were suspended due to the regatta. (We saw a few people out in rented boats though so I think that was misinformation.)
The island was cute and tiny and peaceful. You can enter the church for a fee but we preferred to stay outside.
When we returned to the mainland it was time to fetch our luggage and head back to Ljubljana. We stayed at a place that is housed in a former prison. Now the building is part hostel part art gallery. Each former prison cell has been remodeled by various artists and turned into guest rooms. Ours featured photographs from around the world and lofted beds. It may come as no surprise to hear that our stay was actually a bit uncomfortable and claustrophobic. Now that the novelty of sleeping in a prison cell has passed, I probably won’t seek out the experience again.
xo, jill
Reminded me of home.
Our last morning in Bled we didn’t have much on the schedule. We had hoped to venture further into the Julian Alps but the bus schedule didn’t work for us. We had met some fellow travelers at breakfast who mentioned they were heading to Vintgar Gorge. It sounded like a good alternative activity.
Vintgar Gorge is about 4 kilometers from Bled and is a nice and easy hike. The trail is 1.6 kilometers each way through a narrow passage. For a good portion of the walk you are actually walking on wooden bridges built onto the sides of the gorge.
The trail ends at a pretty but unimpressive waterfall. Walking through the gorge definitely reminded me of the greenery back home. If only people cut out little hearts in their shutters in the States.
We walked back to town via a road pointed out to us by our taxi driver. Walking was Mike’s decision and I’m so glad I went along with it. We passed through sleepy little communities that made me wish I had a little house to warm myself.
When we arrived back in Bled the Rowing World Championships were underway and I was finally reunited with my long-lost-black-and-white-stripes-wearing family. It felt good to belong.
xo, jill
but I won’t.
After hiking around Lake Bled, Mike and I hopped on a bus headed to a much larger and less developed body of water, Lake Bohinj.
After taking a quick little dip, we decided to rent a canoe for a few hours.
We weren’t on the water too long before the weather began to change. The wind was blowing just strong enough to shake the canoe and make me nervous (not a natural water person). We decided to take a little break and headed towards the nearest shore. Now, I can tell you this was not on purpose… with plenty of empty bank to venture towards, we landed right next to some… naked people. (Remember, it was windy! We were being blown a bit off course!) While I really don’t mind if people want to enjoy some mostly-private clothes-off time, I do mind (at least a little bit) being perceived as a pervert. They promptly dressed and took off.
While on shore we tried to take a few photos of us out in the water. We mostly ended up with pictures of me between Mike’s legs (he was setting up the timer). While they aren’t the best photos in the world, they definitely make me smile.
Eventually we got a few better shots but the lighting was poor.
On our way back to the boathouse the rain began. There’s definitely no shelter from raindrops in a canoe. Not that it matters too much when you’re already in your bathing suit.
While we waited for our bus back to Bled we enjoyed the polka festival that was happening close by. The rain didn’t seem to dampen the festivities (pun intended?).
xo, jill
PS. I just have to say that while picking up a few items for a picnic at the lake, I selected an unusual cheese. It was a small cube and very soft. Perfect for spreading without a knife, right? Well… turned out it was kind of disgusting. Kudos to Mike for figuring out what I actually bought. A block of yeast. Yuck.
