Fairy-tale settings and natural beauty

Trip Start Jan 01, 2007
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Trip End Ongoing


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Flag of Slovenia  ,
Wednesday, May 6, 2009

We caught a bus to Bled which and spent the day biking and hiking before we hit our final destination of Lake Bohinj. We rented mountain bikes and headed out of town in search of Vintgar Gorge. Kay tried to get here a couple of days ago before I arrived but got caught in a rainstorm. 

The snowcapped mountains and lush countryside are truly beautiful. It amazes me that no-one I know has every been here. heck most of the people I told about where I was going didn't even know where Slovenia was. (typical americans is what most of you are thinking I am sure). Well after seeing this country I do not want anyone to find out about it so I can have it for myself!

We make our way up some pretty good hills and finally arrive at the gorge. We lock the bikes to the fence, pay the $2 euro fee and head into the park. Within a couple of hundred yards you are on a board walk that is suspended from the side of the rockface. This amazing path was built in the late 1800's and I have no idea why but I am glad they did. The water is incredibly clear and amazing blue green color. We follow the path to the end where there is a large waterfall and a view of the mountains in the distance. You can see lots of trout in the river along the way. We only saw 5 or 6 other people the entire time we were on the hike. It was very peaceful. 
 
There is a little cafe at the entrance of the park where we stopped for lunch. We had the most amazing fresh trout and some Lasko beers. The other beer brewed in Slovenia. We sat on the porch with a view of the river and the farm fields. You could not ask for a better setting. 

We rode the opposite way back to town and circled the lake that is the main attraction of Bled. There is castle looming high above and church on a little island in the center of the lake. This place does not look real. It is definitely the stuff of fairytales. Just look at the pictures. 

There is a tradition that still exists where grooms will row their brides out to the church and then have to carry them up the stairs to prove they are worthy of marriage. If you look close there are a lot of stairs. Good luck boys.

As time was running out we raced back to town and grabbed an icecream before we grabbed our bus to Lake Bohinj. 

Cheers
Frank
 
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