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17th July-
Woke up feeling tired which isn't great. Cold is getting worse so had trouble breathing which resulted in a poor sleep. Stopped at the tourist information office to see if they had any suggestions on how to best spend my couple of days here. Arrived at the postojna caves in time for the 9am tour. It starts off with a 10-15 min ride on a mini train into the heart of the caves. They are incredible.... Both in size and formations. I spent over two hours inside the caves and this time I was prepared with pants and a jumper on, which was lucky as they were colder then the ones yesterday. Even thought it was 9am there were still heaps of people around, the English tour was large but you just had to ignore them and look around at the natural wonder of this place. The formations here are more incredible than those of Skocjan caves I visited yesterday but there is a lot more people here. The colours range from white due to the calcium in the limestone above, to red due to iron content, black and green is due to algea that has developed over the last 100 year from the electric lighting. No photos are allowed inside. We finished the tour in the "concert hall" which is a large opening with great acoustics, and performances are held here once a year. Then caught the train back to the entrance of the cave. The train travels fairly fast so your eyes are just going crazy as you try to take in all the formations and sights around you.
Once back above ground headed further up the road to the predjama castle. This 13th century castle appears to grow out of the rock wall meters above ground. Build in the entrance of a gaping cave entrance this provided natural protection against invasion. Additions continued to be made over the next 500 years or so creating a vast and sprawling structure. It is a little like walking around a maze slightly as due to all the additions tacked on here and there and also having to work around the cave. They have a dungeon complete with wax figures that are been tortured! Also a collections of medieval weapons. Was enjoying the view from one of the balconies out over the countryside and jousting arena when a bird pooped in my hair! So I decided I had enough of this castle an left trying to remove as much as possible. Very annoying as I had washed my hair that morning.
Drove along the tollway to turning off at Bled. Drove along till I reached the shores of lake bled. It is pretty spectacular but busy and I struggled to find a park.... Finally found one and then walked briefly back along the shores to the town where I enjoyed lunch on a terrace overlooking the lake and bled castle. After lunch was time to sample of the original bled cream cake. It is like a vanilla slice but lighter and topped with cream and flaky shortcrust pastry. So very very tasty. Now that I was full up... time to walk around the lake. Headed off in an anti- clockwise direction. Walked along just admiring the amazing clear blue water and greens of the mountains behind. Took a small detour to the st Martin church. It had a nice clock/ bell tower that you could see from lunch so I wanted a closer look. Then back down the lake to continue walking. The walk around took close to 2 hours at a very slow pace and I stopped to take photos often or just admire the view.
Back in the car to drive another 45 mins or so into the Triglavski national park. Stopped briefly at Bohinjska Bistrica in the tourist office to inquire about accommodation and took a quick walk around. Not a lot to see so keep driving till I reached Ribcev Laz the small village on the shores of lake Bohinj. Stopped here to admire the view. It is incredible and amazing and beautiful. So peaceful and tranquil... More spectular than lake bled. Tried to see if I could spot the peak of mt Triglav but couldn't work out which way I was meant to be looking. Continued driving along the shore and then further into the national park. The drive takes me through this lush forest and small roads.... So quiet and you just feel like you are in other place... Maybe Narnia or a magical fairy place.
I reached the slap savica waterfall. Parked and climbed the hundreds of steps upto the lookout. The waterfall is around 60m high but it falls down in a "v" shape due to a large rock in the middle splitting the waterfall in two. It has been used in the past as hydro power station. Walked back down as was starting to get cool and I still have a cough so don't want to get cold. Drove back along the shore and checked into the hostel.
For dinner I headed to the store and picked up some local cheese and meat and then enjoyed a small picnic as the sun was setting in the shores of the lake. It is so calm and just natural, I am not sure how to best describe sitting here.... But the water barely moves expect for the occasional fish. There is barely a noise the odd car passes by. It is just so wonderful to sit here and try and take it all in. Went for a little walk to the boat hire place asking if the local could point out mt Triglav... But he said it was too cloudy and that I should try again in the morning when the clouds have cleared.
Headed back to the hostel. I thought July would have been a busy time of year but once again I have a dorm room to myself. Early to bed as another busy day tomorrow. I want see as much of this country as I can, it is just so beautiful and the people are friendly and relaxed.
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