Slovenia Trip Journal from July 27 to 30, 2006

Last updated October 02, 2006.  To proceed to the Slovenia Pictures.

Country: Slovenia

Duration: July 27 to 30, 2006

Distance Traveled in the Country:  ~ 430 km

Memorable Impressions of the Country:  Sceneries out of a story book, spectacular caves and lakes placed in a idyllic settings surrounded by high mountain peaks with the occasional castle perched on a cliff...and not to mention excellent (cheap) red wine made this country a pleasure to explore.

Gasoline Cost: approx. $1.55CDN/litre for 95 Octane

Camping Cost:  average $30.00CDN/night.

Food & Drink Cost: Similar to Austria and Germany.

Exchange Rate: 1 Euro = $1.40CDN or 1CDN = 170SIT

July 27, 2006.  We decide to press on to the border crossing at Kaidanija into Slovenia. Leaving Croatia was a breeze as they waved us through without even an exit stamp. Slovenia welcomed us with open arms.  No question of insurance and we are on our merry way.  It is getting late and we head toward Koper.  Slovenia first impression is very modern and very much like Austria.  The infrastructure is superb.  Huge bridges and tunnels, which of course comes with a fee.  But we don't mind as we make excellent time and pass through pretty country sides.  From Koper it is north-east.  We take the turn off at Kozina.  We are 10kms from the Skocjan Caves.  The campground is located right beside the Autobahn. 

July 28, 2006.  The first 1 1/2 Hour tour of the Skocjan Caves is at 10am.  Admission is 10.85Euro/person ($15.00CDN/person).  Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, the unique underground gorge and interconnected caves, collapsed dolinas, natural bridges and sinkholes make this cave stand out from others.  Not to mention that less tourists attend this cave since the more "Disneyworld" set up cave called Postojna Cave is only a few kilometers away.  The Skocjan Cave actually requires some physical walking (3kms).  Did you know that Slovenia has more than 7000 caves?  This cave lies on the Kras from where the technical term "Karst" originates.  The total length of the underground canyon and Reka river is approx. 2,500 meters. At the end the greatest Chamber in Europe is situated, Martel Chamber with dimensions of 308 meters length, 120 meters wide and amazing 146 meters high.  We enter the cave 60m below the parking lot and the first part of the cave is quite cool at 10 Degree Celsius.  The Paradise Hall has marvelous stalagmites and stalactites of different colours, stone curtains and massive gaurs.  We continue our way through the Velika Dvorana Hall.  The Organs Hall opens up to a huge chamber the Sumeca Jama Cave (80m in height) and the only way to cross this chamber is over a dizzying little footbridge (Cerkvenik Bridge), were 45m below the Reka-Velka voda river flows.  The walkway hugs the side of the cliffs and one can hear and see the rushing of water as it makes its way through cascades and waterfalls. Then we immerge from the darkness of the cave through a massive cliff opening into the green jungle like scenery.  It is all like out of National Geographic's.  Here the Reka-Velka Voda river disappears via a large waterfall into the small lake.  From a spectacular view point high above we are able to see the exit of the cave, at a depth of 163m.  It of course would have been more fun to explore the cave on our own, but nevertheless it was a great experience and the tour guide was fluent in English.  With another world class cave visited, we return to our campsite and pack up our gear.  From Kozina we head over Postojna to Ljubljana and then north to Bled and the Julian Alps.  Camping Bled lies on the west side of Lake Bled.  The guide books describes Bled and surrounding area as follows: "Genteel, millennium-old Bled is the gateway to the mountains.  Its attraction is an absolutely idyllic setting on a 2km-long subalpine lake with castle crag and romantic island placed exactly where you'd want them. It's a scene that seems designed for some god of tourism, not for the 13th century Bishops of Brixen."  And it is all that.  A picture from a story book.  We set up camp at the most efficient run campground on this trip.  Cost was 22.12Euro/night ($31CDN/night), minus 20% discount for arriving on motorcycles.  We decide to stay for a couple of days and explore the surrounding mountains.

July 29, 2006.  We wake up to thick fog and head west from Bled to Bohinj at 7am.  As we ride through the valley the fog starts to rise and gives the small churches and mountain peaks a magical setting.  At the end of the twisty roads is the magnificent Lake Bohinj and its calm water mirrors the reflection of the Church of St. John the Baptist.  Riding to the west side of the lake at approx. 5km inland (plus 15 minute walk) is the giant 78 meter strands of the Savica Waterfall.  Close by is the cable car that whisks us up a vertical kilometer to 1540m Mt. Vogel for a 2000SIT/return ($13.00CDN/person return).  The Vogel Ski Resort is situated high above beautiful Lake Bohinj, in the very heart of the protected Triglav National Park area.  From here we can see Slovenia's highest mountain Triglav at 2864m.  Warming up over my first hot chocolate in five (5) months we enjoy the incredible view.  Returning to Lake Bled, we decide to walk its circumference and stop of at the Bled Castle, which is Slovenia's oldest castle perched at the top of a 100m steep cliff above Lake Bled. Here we make the acquaintance of a Monk, who calls me Miss Croatia, due to my now famous red Krvatska shorts.  We pick up an excellent (cheap) bottle of red Barrolo wine.  The castle also boosts the best view of the romantically tiny island (Blejski Otok) and its baroque Church of the Assumption, situated in the middle of Lake Bled.  The island is the most photographed trademark of Slovenia.  Walking along the shoreline and taking in the magnificent view was a perfect end to perfect day.

July 30, 2006.  It is time again to make some miles, a lot of miles, in total 780kms.  Our goal...Romania via Croatia, Serbia and three (3) border crossings.  From Bled we back track to Ljubljana and stay on the express Autobahn passing Grosuplje, Trebnje, Novo Mest and finally crossing back into Croatia after Catez.  See the Croatia, Serbia and Romania Journal for a continuation of this trip.  After a long day in the saddle we actually did enter Romania late at night.

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