Slovenia part 3 - Ljublanja, Bled, and Bohinj

 

 

On the Monday, we set out early and drove to the capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana.  First stop was the Ljubljana Castle up on the hillside just above the city.  What a fantastic view!  Here are some photos of the castle...

 

 

 

Entering the main gate

 

There were several children touring the castle this day.

 

A local artist (self portrait) inside one room in the castle

As we left the castle, we took a lift down the hillside directly into the market centre in the city.

 

There were several vendors selling plants, flowers

 

We did not spend a lot of time in the city as it was becoming unbearably hot.  So we then took to the highway and headed for the Slovenian Alps on our way to a tourist hot spot called Bled.   It was about 30-minutes from Ljubljana.

Bled is known for 3 things - a castle on the hillside, a little island with a church on it and the lake.  In order to get a great view of the area, you must climb up a steep pathway with worn stones (kind of slippery to climb) to the castle.  But  I did it and needed a bit of a rest at the door of the castle...

A well on the first level courtyard of the castle

The colour of the lake is unbelievable.

 

Frank and Martina look out from the first courtyard
over Lake Bled

The little island with a church

First level courtyard

 

Another church directly below the castle

Second level courtyard of the castle with
a chapel on the left

 





 

Dad at the Tiger Bar in Bled

 


After being in the sun for sometime, we needed a cool drink so we went to the Tiger Bar for some time in the shade.  (We also had a crème cake.)

Now it was onto Lake Bohinj which is also the name of the town.  Lake Bohinj is the biggest permanent lake in Slovenia shaped by a glacier.  The water in the lake changes 3 times each year.  10 different species of fish live in the lake and this church is near the shore of the lake.

 

See the fish in the lake?  They will come right up
to your feet if you are wading...

Reminded me of Hanama Bay in Hawaii

We then headed for a late lunch to a little restaurant which served authentic Slovenian food.  Dad chose sauerkraut, homemade port sausages, and boiled potatoes.  I kept it light with cold cuts, cheese and some homemade bread and plenty of water.  (About 35 degrees today.)

 

We then headed back to Novo Mesto to meet with my cousin, Dusan, and my Aunt Anna and Uncle Joe and more family.  Next post will have more about Trsk Gora...