Bled, Slovenia July 13

We have been so busy, on the go everyday, and today we had tenitively planned to drive through the Julian alps, a four hour drive loop plus lots of stopping, so it would be a very long day of sight seeing. We really wanted to do it, but it wasn't that big of a deal if we didn't.  We just didn't have it in us to commit to a full long day. We will be driving though beautiful mountains tomorrow so we decided to just have a slow day. We looked into going to a spa, something totally different than we have ever done. Monte was going to go to the pool and Paige and I get spa treatments. They were busy so we booked our time for 6:30 tonight, so we still needed to do something today.

We headed for Lake Bohinj, which was only about 15 minutes away...perfect! It was beautiful countryside surrounded by mountains and a gorgeous lake. We learned about a hike to "Slap Slovenia Waterfall" that was only 15 minutes. Great...we headed there.

We came across this diving board on the side of a river.

We hiked steps, and more steps, and more steps up the side of a mountain. We have to be cautious what we get into with Paige walking since we do need to return, too! This was suppose to be our easy day, but we ended up hiking up the mountain for about an hour. It was difficult going, but we did it, and Paige, too. She has been a real trooper! It was worth the hike!

Then we headed for a short drive near the lake.

For having a rest day we sure hiked hard today! But it was great! Off to get pizza and then to our spa treatments.

Monte ended up wanting to rest, so Paige and I headed for our spa treatments. We got the "bath and ice cream" for a couple....heck, mother/daughter was just fine for us. We got fluffy bathrobes and slippers. We had a jetted hot tube with bubbles, nice aroma and candles. It was fun for us, but I did wonder how strict Slovenian Heath standards were....

We went into the relax room and had our ice cream. Nice! 

We were called in for our massage by a 20's something adorable Slovenian guy. It was Paige's dream and nightmare at the same time! Turns out this was a couple thing too and Paige was more comfortable when I got the guy. Before we started he showed us where to put our robes and gave us "pants". What? It was a little tiny 2X2 plastic thing. Pants? We opened them to find a disposable G-string! Ok.... Then we were told to lay on our stomachs and they would be back.  So...our butts to the wind.....what is a G-string going to do for us? When in Slovenia.......

It was nice and a very relaxing end to our strenuous supose to be laid back day. We ended it with a World Cup party watching Germany win the finals! Yippee !

Bled, Slovenia July 12

We had a very busy day today. We took a pletna boat over to the island of Blejski Otok in the middle of Lake Bled. There is a beautiful church there and gorgeous views. When couples get married the groom is supose to carry his bride to the top...something a bit less than a hundred steps!  

The boat is kind of like a gondola in Venice because it is only driven by a single rower, but here he rowed a big boat and about 20 tourists. They do not allow motors on the lake so it is very peaceful. We had a women on board who is from Slovenia and sang songs for is. It was very cool!

Next we drove up to bled castle - Blesjski Grad. We didn't tour the castle just looked around a outside.

Then we headed an hour away to the Postojna Caves. Theses caves where amazing. We were underground, I think, just under 500 feet- not sure. We saw about 3 miles of caves filled with stalagmites and stalactites. One was the oldest in the world. Very beautiful. Paige couldn't believe her eyes. She loved it! We went in and out by train.

So, Susan, the non-combative person she is, surprisingly almost punched a couple people today. We were looking at a creature in an aquarium who lives in caves. There were a group from an un-named nationality who were pushing us so hard against the glass to get to the front that we couldn't leave to give them room. And of course, here is my 5 ft small daughter being pushed...so I came darn close to smacking, stomping or something..instead I yelled, but I was really for a physical altercation...can you believe that?

But, something very cool happened, we saw a wedding party dancing together and then lead a procession to the wedding ceremony itself. This is actually the third bride and groom we have seen: one in Paris, Germany and now Slovenia! It is interesting that we see much less smiling here...maybe bad teeth?

So many visual delight everywhere we go. I'm glad I take so many pictures because I'd never remember what we have seen.

Next we took a quick drive over to see Predjama Castle (Predjamski Grad) I don't know any of the history but it is something I've always wanted to see. Again, no tour, just seeing it from the outside. But it was beautiful!

Bart has continued to join us here in Slovenia, but he has avoided the camera. He has been our annoyance as well as our buddy.

Since hitting Germany there have been no washclothes in sight...guess they don't use them here.

We have seen this many places in Europe but it still amazes us- in villages right on the public street are statues of Jesus. We also see murals painted on buildings that are bible scenes.

We ended our long day with a nice meal...as always. Aren't we getting tired of eating out EVERY MEAL?..... NO WAY! .....Not a chance!

Bled, Slovenia- July 11

Today we left Austria for Slovenia, but we first wanted to take the gondola up the Dachstein mountain. The weather hasn't been good for views since we arrived, but hey, you never know until you try!

After our successful zip line, we were all ready to go for the "ride on TOP OF THE GONDOLA". But, once there we found out it was going to be cold, wet and no views, so we scratched that idea. Instead we rode inside. We got out to dense fog, and very cold temps, so we took a look around - walked the "sky walk", a protruding glass walkway over the edge of the cliff, and then Paige and I went in for warmth. We were not afraid at all going out onto the sky walk...we couldn't see anything! I think we would be shocked to see what we really did on a clear day! Monte checked out more areas like the suspension bridge...but it was COLD! On our way out we saw people that were going to mountain ice climb with teeth on their shoes! Everyone here hikes and hikes, and hikes, everywhere. That is what people come to Austria for. I can see why, it is so beautiful.

The drive to Slovenia was stunning!

I don't recall how many tunnels we went through from Rothenburg to Dachstein, maybe 4 or 5. That's what you get driving through the alps. On the way to Slovenia there were 10 tunnels and 4 were miles long! Some so long the climate changed on the other side! They also have what look like jet engines blowing exhaust from the tunnel. A big fan....not so much!

We stopped off the highway to use the bathroom and Monte was using a urinal and a women started cleaning the sink next to him!

Funny to see how everything in Europe is so much smaller than home. Another example is our cup holders in our car. We have two sizes - one is the size of a small water bottle, and the other is smaller than that! I have no idea what would fit in that spot.

I guess I'm just weird that so many stupid things fascinate me!

After a gorgeous drive we arrived to Lake Bled, Slovenia. 

We had a few things we planned to do today but our host at our B&B told us "you must do it, must do it" when referring to visiting Vintgar Gorge. Sounds like the weather maybe unpredictable the next couple of days so we took his advice and headed out. 

We had about a two hour round trip hike and Paige did very well with her foot, but...sadly she is on another migraine cycle again and ended up having a hard time getting back due to that.  

We had "fast food" Slovenian style. We keep running across many places that are solely run by one person, just like this fast food place. This guy was so careful to make each item carefully, he also told us the tomatoes he used were from his garden. Only problem was that it took about 10 min for him to make one thing! We waited forever! He didn't seemed rushed at all.

Well..take out, or take home dinner for Paige tonight. We hope she feels better tomorrow!