Wednesday, 7 August 2019

Dungeons and Dragons, Tunnels and drunken/starved Trolls

Back on the road again and not before time, we really made up for lost time today.  I managed to do that a little bit before we even departed with a final jog over to Piran, slow enough to appreciate the view and embrace the historic signficance of this very old town, having now read the full Lonely Planet entry, it really is one of the wonders of Piran. And I have left you all a lovely little 5k on strava for the runners amongst us.

https://www.relive.cc/view/r10007186923





So our route today took us via the Slovenia capital city, so we could hardly avoid it could we?  On our way at about 10am, another great Air Bnb, perfect appartment for the beachy needs, but time to see the world again.  Got some petrol and hit the highway, going back on ourselves a little, but then heading inland.  A bit of research by Chrissi unearthed a nice little park and ride on the outskirts of Ljubljana that gave us a chance for a quick shoot in.  Richard Ayode did a cracking 48 hours, I will give you the 48 minute version.







So we caught the bus into the capital, the Liverpool supporting driver incredibly helpful, and having a strong view on Harry Wilsons potential for Wales.  10 minutes into the old town which was clearly our short and sharp visit. What a beautifully relaxed capital I thought, European street culture, lovely weather, mixture of the very old and the slightly newer, and just out and out chilled friendliness.  I sort of expected this from my brief research, but so easy to just blend in and float through the streets.  A big castle to be awestruck of, and many bridges, plus that Euro vibe of togetherness that has become a feature of this trip.  Market squares, lovely weather, street cafes, what's not to like?

tongue twisters

the ride bit of the park and ride

alighting the bus city centre

no time for boat tours today

three bridges

lloyd tours

bridge shot

skiing more popular than football here


We decided to avail ourselves of one of the street cafes and randomly hit a first. It had a recommendation from the Lonely Planet. The fact we thought the service and food about average is neither her nor there, as we all know, the LP recommends the places no one goes to and ensures that if you do get there you feel both unique and aloof of fellow travellers who have visited all the mainstream places. I had a bowl of chicken/onion soup and a curry sandwich, both staple Slovenian food I am told or am telling you :)  https://www.cha.si/ the place to go/avoid (delete as appropriate)

chicken soup

curry sarnie

Bryn sticks to what he knows cheese toastie


After that another wander an onto the main event. Ljubjlana is the city of dragons, so a welsh folk, an instant connection. Jason (of Argonauts fame) is reputed to be the first settler and slayed the local irritant (probably voted Brexit) and the city has forever had a connection with the lovely wyrms.  And a bridge to celebrate them in all their glory.  Obviously I suddenly realised why this city appeals to my inner geek, dragons, medieval streets, errant parties of travellers, it is clearly the beginning of a wilderness adventure for a party of wizards, clerics, paladins and assassins. (all races and classes considered)

jason and the argonauts wos ere

game of thrones

mother of dragons

baby dragon

something ghoulish NPC


We caught the bus back to the park and ride and was relieved to hear google maps say head straight on for a 100k as we moved further inland in Slovenia.  And then the last 20k was fun as we headed upward and inward across farm and wine territory in the hills.  Narrow roads, and little villages, a single towered church in almost every settlement.  Had overheard a tour guide in Ljubjlana explaining that Slovenia had the highest number of private vineyards per person in the world and was pleased to say we were heading for one, our next Air Bnb.  Finding it amongst the rolling hills less easy but communication with our host and they found us and guided us in.

one tower church in every village

lost near a shop

lost near a vineyard




What an amazing place we have unearthed.  Will get to the views later of the rolling terrain, but our hosts, 2 Slovenians, not a word of english without google translate, but feeding us wine and bread/cheese/salami and bringing us into their home and vineyard.  Showed us where the magic happens too, with his wine vats.



4 bottles please


Already a little light headed we walked down to the local village Sladka Gora, where there was a bar, with the local farmers having their post work beer. We joined them and then took a look at the local catholic church of  a rarity with 2 towers and a place of pilgrimage in these parts.


local bar

famous church 2 towers

not open for tourists

closed a while ago

sunset across the valley


It was then back the vineyard for views, wine and just a breathtaking reminder of why we travel, away from it all, remote and reminding us of the bigger world on our doorstep, and beyond,including a glowing half moon post sunset in clear and alluring skies.  A lot of wine and beer consumed, spotify on the speakers and lots of laughs until late, suspect the sound carried.

anger management issues

money shot

much drinking and revelry




-Carys-

I'm glad I did my suitcase things yesterday, as I felt quite tired this morning. It was nice not having to rush around getting ready to leave. We left the apartment moderatley early - around 10am, after taking the rubbish to be recycled and loading up the car.

I was sad to see this house gone - it's been one of my favourite destinations, with such a stunning view. Absolutely beautiful, especially with the sunsets. We weren't driving for long, maybe an hour or so before parked in a car park and got some help from a bus driver. In the end, we were on a bus heading towards Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.

goodbye portotoz

goodbye appartment


The bus took us to a small park called Congress Square with a well/fountain in it. There was a large castle above us, and we later saw a conveyor belt track carrying train cars up the hill. We didn't go up because we only had a couple of planned hours in the city. Just after the park there was a bridge built over a long river. We walked up it a bit and came to what is known as 'the three bridges'.

hello ljubjlana

she who drinks from the spring of eternal youth

three bridges


As taken from  the name, it is indeed a collection of three bridges, but they are right next to each other, almost intertwined in one another. We got some nice photos on there, as the river was pretty and there was lots of interesting shops and cafes situated around the bridges and river.

still three bridges


Before we chose where we'd eat, we wandered for a bit around the shops, popping in here and there. It was a very nice place with lots of interesting history. It's called the city of dragons, so we can relate it to Wales in one way at least. Lunch was nice - I had yet another cheese and tomato sandwich because I really like them. I also had a fanta as well instead of apple juice - a random detail I just thought I'd mention.

do you have chicken curry without the chicken?

bridge just one


Grabbing an icecream from the cafe Cocoa on the way, we walked bus-stop bound, and caught one back to where we started. From there the drive to our next destination was only a couple of hours. For the last 20 minutes we all pitched in with directions and driving. We got a bit lost but fund our way in the end, thanks to the help of the wife of the airbnb owner who came to collect us and our car and guide us to the house.

slovenian rolling country


I really like the house. It has a cosy, tree house vibe with the one bedroom attic which we all share - separate beds though. There's a little kitchen, bathroom, living/dining area and a gorgeous balcony with the most amazing view of the area.

welcomed into home

fresh bread and wine, its tradition

our own vineyard, air b nb trumps again


You can see down into the nearby village, which mum, Dad and I went to visit in the evening. The shop was shut, but we had some drinks, complimentary pretzel snacks and played some cards in the next door bar before struggling back up the steep slope that led to the house.

drinking near the locals


The air bnb owners are very pleasant, though there is a bit of language barrier. They speak little English, about as much as we speak Slovenian. We used our good friend google translate to communicate, Very handy technology. They gave us some bread and cheese along with some of their wine from their vineyards. We had this before we went for the walk. It was very kind of them.

We spent the rest of the evening surviving off whatever scraps we brought from previous destinations and houses on the holiday, and cake which we'd picked out at the icecream shop earlier today. I had a strawberry cheesecake and it was thoroughly enjoyable.

I say survive, I'm only joking. We've eaten plenty today, it just would'be been ideal if we could have bought some snacks to finish off the day from the shop. Instead we finished off the day with a beautiful sunset view from our balcony. Another stunning destination.

very different experience

been drinking?













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