So we are six days into our travels and I have a feeling that sleeping in has already become a thing of the past. Our wake up call this morning was at 6.30am - yep you read it correctly! Oh, sorry I was meant to write - 6.30 for the rest of the group and at least an hour earlier for me as I like to dawdle. Yes some things never change! It was a cool 9°c this morning as we departed Ljubljana and travelled towards Postojna - a sleepy village located about 55km out of the city centre. It was nice to be out seeing some of the countryside. Lush green fields surrounded the high mountain ranges and small white buildings with red roofs seemed to spring up practically out of nowhere. Now and again a church steeple would also be seen in the distance, reflecting the high percentage of Roman Catholicism that is still in existence today.

The main reason for travelling to Postojna was not to visit the villagers but to explore the world renowned Postojna Caves. The caves are 27 kilometres long and home to an endemic salamander species. They were absolutely awesome and I think I spent the entire time with my jaw wide open in amazement. Hundreds and thousands of stalagmites and stalactites of varying sizes and shapes surround the inside of the caves making this a phenomenal highlight. I've never seen anything like it before. A small train takes the thousands of visitors each year deep inside the caves from where guided tours are provided. The colours and formations are unbelievable, they were so extensive and some of them were as tall as the caves themselves. We spent almost two hours inside the caves - a truly unforgettable experience. The photos I took will not do them justice. We later continued towards the Croatian border, stopping only for lunch before the crossing. A stamp in our passports marked the short end of our stay in a European Union Country.

The Adriatic Coast was everything I had imagined and more. The scenery was stunning and inviting with small orange roofed homes hugging the coastline. The water crystal blue and a float with expensive looking yachts, immediately bringing thoughts of the Mediterranean lifestyle that is associated with this part of the world. Seeing such possessions makes me wonder just how happy these people really are....after all they say that money cannot buy true happiness. I probably would be 'comfortable' had I not chosen a life that involved travel, but I do not regret it for a minute. I may not have anything physical to show for all my hard work but the experiences I have had in the past and the ones I am about to encounter have made me a rich person beyond words.

We followed the coastline, climbing steadily 787 meters above sea level through winding streets and small villages, most of them showcasing Austrian and Hungarian architecture. My favourite town had to be that of Tukanici where the entire settlement consisted of about 3 adults, 1 house, 1 shed and a dog - you gotta love Europe!

To be honest I wasn't overly impressed with our first stop in Croatia. There have been a few places that I have visited over the years that I simply have not warmed to and unfortunately Zadar happened to be one of them. Graffiti had been spray painted on every wall of every building, making the entrance to the city look shabby. Zadar has a long and interesting history, however if it wasn't for the old town it would offer tourists very little in my opinion. Despite this negativity I did enjoy exploring the old town with our overly enthusiastic local guide - she showed a real passion for her city. I particularly liked the unusual 9th century Church of St. Donatus. Yes, I can understand if you thought it read St Doughnuts, but let me reassure you that it does not resemble a pastry! The church was erected on the ruins of the City's Roman Forum 1200 years ago and although mass has not been said in the church for over 2 centuries, it is still used for classical and sacral concerts due to its superior acoustics. The other positives - the exchange rate of Croatia (for every 100 Euro we got $700 Kuna) and the delicious looking ice cream that was sold in the many ice cream parlours that lined the cobblestoned streets and narrow alleyways...although I am certain that Zadar has more to offer than just ice cream since I was told that it is the up and coming city of Croatia. A very interesting fact indeed. It would certainly be interesting to see it in a few more years.

While waiting for Mika and Vince to arrive with the coach a few of the group members sat and enjoyed the views from across the harbour. Melanie (from Toronto) and I were discussing cruises we had been on when the idea of bed bugs was thrown into the equation. For the life of me I cannot remember how the subject came about but I definitely know what I will be doing tonight before bed and I guess for the rest of the trip for that matter! Although I was a little disappointed with our first stop in Croatia, I am confident that bigger and brighter things will come our way soon! Tomorrow we head to Split and Dubrovnik - hopefully my expectations will be met there.