Piran, Slovenia - 28-29 June 2017

As soon as the bus arrives I dart across the road, I want a seat in the front row. I manage to casually bring myself to 3/4 to get on-board and am shocked (but very pleased!) that the front row is free.  We depart Ljubljana bus station 4 minutes late on Wednesday 28 June, surprising we aren't later given the bus didn't arrive to 10.10am.

When I started researching Slovenia I found out they weren't a land locked country and that one can dive. So Piran got added to my itinerary, and I confirmed a couple of fun dives.

We finally, and I mean finally, arrive into Piran (nearly 2.5 hours from leaving Ljubljana). Totally got cabin fever!!

Finding the hotel is surprisingly easy, and even better is I'm able to check in right now. Bingo. I really have had great luck since being in Slovenia. I also manage to arrange a late check-out tomorrow, to 12.30pm, which means I can return to the room after my dive to shower. Double result. The view from my room is amazing!!! I'm on one of the major squares of Piran - Tartinijev Trg.



Now for some food. I find a pizzeria nearby the hotel down a small alley. Reminds me so much of Italia. It's in a wind tunnel which is perfect given its actually quite warm. Grilled squid ordered, I'm very happy.



Wandering the alleyways to the dive place I keep having to remind myself I'm not in Venice; ooh how I love my old home. After only a handful of turns I spy the seaside, instantly feeling like I'm on holiday now.

  

Of course I have arrived FAR to early; it's not difficult to just sit here, with the sea breeze, staring out to sea. Ooh and trying to remember everything I've been taught. Eeks

I've discovered the Slovenian's aren't really ever in a hurry; my 3pm dive time comes and goes and I'm still sitting here.  It was just me and one other person for the fun dive, which we are doing directly from the shore in front of the shop.

For the first time since I started diving I had a 7 millimetre wetsuit with a hoodie :) I was also given a dive watch which was a first too. Thinking I might need to invest in one.....

We dive for 44 minutes; once I got my mask sorted I was into it. Definitely the worse dive (post learning) I've had in terms of what we saw, or in the this case what we didn't see. Plus in parts it was COLD!!!

Feeling like a normal person again I head off to a wine bar / restaurant I'd read about; thanks but I'll go with an aperol spritz for now.

  

The smells coming from the kitchen are great; shame I have an accordion player basically next to me. 

The accordion is called away - how sad!!

I'm halfway through my drink when the heavens open; I'm basically under cover (grape vines) so remain as is.



The place is getting busier and busier; I offer a couple to join my table. Within a few minutes we are up and taking shelter under the awning of the bar. The heavens have well and truly opened!! With the thunder joining. Seconds later it's like a river. Crazy amount of rain has fallen in seconds.



We all manage to get seats inside (which is surprising given there are only 4 tables); the staff are amazing and ask couples to pair up. They are both soaked from running between where the food comes from and back again. Thanks but no thanks!

There seems to be a break with the rain so I pay my bill and head out. The receptionist when I checked in had recommended a place to eat so I go off in search of that. I always like to try lots of places when traveling. Along the way I see far too much lightening for my liking. Fingers crossed the rain stays away until I reach the hotel......I left my window open so know I'll have some fun to deal with when I do get home.

 

There is a spare table immediately which is great; after resetting it for me I start the hard task of deciding what to eat.  Dinner is delicious - Tagliatelle pasta with shrimps.

 

I take my time walking the 500 meters or so back to my hotel; wandering into a few shops.



  

There is some kind of bazar show on which is loud and strange! One of the shop ladies informs me she hasn't seen this before, I personally think that's a good thing!!

They are still going when I get back to my room but thankfully that's short lived as the heavens open again and everyone goes running off.

 

Thursday 29 June - 17 years since I left New Zealand - I head out for a run along the Adriatic coast. I'm a little later than I have been in previous mornings yet there aren't that many people around which is lovely.

 

I had originally booked in to dive again this morning but decided against it given I didn't see that much yesterday and it was cold! Very happy with my decision as it means I can just wander around Piran before getting the 2.15pm bus back to Ljubljana.

Coffee is the first port of call; I choose a place on Tartinijev Trg to sit and enjoy the people watching.

 

I wander through some alleyways to the sea, loving taking my time!, where I continue along to the light house. There are a few people in the water having a morning swim.

      

Now that I'm not diving I decide to check-out at the right time. The male owner is a character and informs me today is the day an announcement is made on Slovenia being able to use Croatian waters without having to pay. Apparently there are a number of journalists, from Croatia, in Piran.

I make my way to Convento di San Francesco. Inside there are amazing frescos on the ceiling. As I wander through to the courtyard I notice photographs hanging up around the inside of the courtyard showing what life use to be like.

  

I continue wandering up the cobblestone steps to I reach the bell tower, which is 46.5 meters. The Cathedral of St George's freestanding bell tower was built in 1609. On entering I'm nervous walking up the super rickety stairs. This definitely wouldn't pass the health and safety standards in NZ!! It's the same way up and down; thankfully I get to the top without anyone coming in the opposite direction.

The amazing views at the top make up for the nervousness!! I'm fortunate enough to be here for the midday bells. Loud is an understatement!!

    

Thankfully on the journey down there isn't anyone going up.

I continue wandering around The Cathedral of St George; peering inside of the cathedral. Decided against paying to go inside; the saying "you have seen one you have seen them all" came to mind :)

  

The number of tourists has increased tenfold in the last hour or so, time to collect my bag and head to a lunch place I had previously researched.

 

The restaurant is across the road from the sea, unfortunately the owners have plants as their fence. I personally would have preferred staring at the sea but hey ho.

The waiter has great pleasure in advertising the cucumbers and tomatoes are home grown, yum. Yet again my food doesn't disappoint.



I've really enjoyed my 26 hour visit in Piran; while the primary reason for the visit was to dive I've got to experience another Slovenian town which has been lovely! Ljubljana here I come.