This is the second part of a series of travelogues, reliving their latest journey. This one finds them in Slovenia. To see Part I, Austria, on The LoJo go to http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=guests408
Sunday, July 3. Leaving Graz, Austria, we travel through the mist-enshrouded Julian Alps passing through a series of short tunnels boring through the mountains. The day seems dark, gloomy; finally we enter a five-mile-long tunnel, cross the border of Slovenia and emerge on the other side to beautiful sunlight and lush green fields and forests.
Known as the “green pearl of Europe,” Slovenia is 60 percent forest. Slovenians are passionate about preserving their natural beauty, with hiking being a favorite pastime. Though wood is the most important natural resource, Slovenians are noted for their wine and also cheese made with raw milk. In the spring the cows are taken up into the mountains where they spend the summer. They return in the fall to a special celebration called the Cows' Ball.
In the afternoon we reach the town of Bled, located on Lake Bled, a pristine glacial lake with crystal clear waters protected by UNESCO. Our hotel balconies overlook this beautiful lake, and we count our blessings! Dinner in the hotel, then a short walk along the lake to see the swans concludes our day.
Monday, July 4. God bless America! But we are in Slovenia, so we will have a different kind of celebration. Today we take an optional excursion to Lake Bohinj. Climbing precipitous mountain roads, we reach Mt. Vogel, a ski resort, where everyone piles into a very crowded cable car to access the top of the mountain and enjoy spectacular views. Later we meet our local guide, Vesna, who travels with us through several small villages; each one—no matter how small—has a church with a tall steeple.
Cream colored houses with brown rooftops and wooden balconies filled with pink and red geraniums dot the landscape. Throughout the pasture land are many hay racks, narrow wooden structures with a roof. Hay is piled on the sides to dry. Farmers are obligated to keep their hay racks in good repair. Vesna tells us Prince Charles liked the hay racks so much that Slovenia presented one to him. We pass orchards, farm lands, vineyards, forests of pine and spruce. We make a stop in a pasture with several double hay racks where Vesna treats us to a sample of blueberry brandy, which she says is “good for our health.” A special treat is when she sings her national anthem, the message of which is, “Be peaceful and make the world a better place. God bless all nations who want to live in peace and friendship.” If only all peoples would live by this creed!!
Returning to Lake Bled, we hire a gondola to row us the short distance to a tiny island in the middle of the lake. Because no motor boats are allowed on this lake, the quiet beauty is undisturbed. On the island stands the Church of the Mother of God on the Lake, built in the 17th century. One must climb 99 steps to reach the church. Legend has it that if a groom carries his bride up these steps, their marriage will last forever. While there, we have fun watching a young man carry his not-so-small girlfriend/wife (they are wearing shorts so I don't believe they just had a wedding) up all 99 steps!! By the time he reaches the top, his legs are quite wobbly!!! But he does reach the top. With his “bride.”
Leaving the island we ask our gondolier to allow us to disembark at the Villa Bled, Marshal Tito's summer home now used as a protocol meeting place. During our visit, we hear often about the history of this area, the fact that much of it was part of Yugoslavia under the rule of President Marshal Tito who served as Prime Minister and later President for Life from 1944 until his death in 1980. He was widely popular and "seen by most as a benevolent dictator.”
The rest of the afternoon is spent in a walk around Lake Bled, a hike of almost four miles. A late dinner this evening is delicious Slovenian wine and cheese on our balcony. Across the lake high on a hill, the thousand-year-old illumined Lake Bled Castle glimmers in the darkness.
To be continued......