Earlier in the evening I'd met up with a potential transferee to Hong Kong to "sell" them HK. Not exactly what I had in mind to start my holiday but it was pleasant.....and I got to do it with an aperol spritz.
As I'd booked my flight about a month ago I have a middle seat, major :( but at least it's in the bulk head row! Right now I have a spare seat next to me which is lovely. Long may that continue.
We finally take off an hour later than scheduled - time to sleep!! Once the seat belt sign is turned off I immediately push my seat back and extend my foot rest. Definitely not business class but more space than economy. Food is served shortly after - no idea how people can be eating at 2am but hey ho.
We land into Frankfurt at 6.55am on Saturday 24 June - I have just over two hours here before my flight to Ljubljana where the real holiday begins.
I finally make it to passport control following a lot of walking and a small train ride. This airport certainly isn't small. More walking and I finally arrive at security which takes far too long to get through. There seems to be more staff than passengers and that's saying something as there are a lot of passengers waiting waiting waiting for their turn. This will be the first flight I've taken where I've gone through security without showing my passport and boarding pass; lucky for me as I don't have boarding pass yet for my flight. I've been told I can get it from the gate which seems a little off to me but I'm going with it. So far no one has asked for it.
We depart Frankfurt a few minutes late, fingers crossed this doesn't affect my shuttle to Lake Bled.
It's a quick one hour + flight to Ljubljana; walking off the plane I can feel the heat - ye ha! It's certainly not a big airport, feels around the same size as Blenheim airport, only difference being this is an international airport and Blenheim is not. On exiting the terminal I'm hit by the heat and sun, very happy Sadj. The shuttle bus I'd scheduled is directly opposite the terminal, talk about easy. My final destination, Lake Bled, is so close. I definitely had nothing to worry about not making this shuttle - I have 40 minutes hanging around before we depart. Very happy I didn't arrange for a later shuttle!
About 10 minutes into the journey the driver announces we are going to need to take the back roads as there is a traffic jam around 8km long on the highway - no issue from me, not keen on getting stuck in an 8km traffic jam thanks very much.
On arrival at the hotel I'm told check-in isn't to 2pm, which is in another 2 hours. The receptionist asked my name then announces my room is ready.....ok, not sure how it changed within seconds but I'm not complaining!!
I'm finally feeling semi normal after a shower and clean clothes and am ready to go off exploring Lake Bled when the heavens open. Talk about bad timing. I'm super hungry, with no umbrella, so this is going to be interesting!
There are a few shops at the bottom of the hotel, I enter to kill some time and come up with some kind of plan.
The rain continues to grace us with its presence and the need for food is beyond high. There is a cafe within a stone’s throw but it does mean going out under the rain.....off I go. Food and drink ordered, I'm set.
Within 10 minutes of sitting here the rain stops and out comes the sun, in full force. It's actually a bit too hot sitting here.....
I enjoy wandering around part of the lake - it's absolutely beautiful. The water is crystal clear which surprises me. Of course we have on and off rain, in between hot sunshine. Crazy weather.
Late afternoon I get caught in the rain so take cover under some trees next to an arts and craft market. At one point I wonder how it could get any heavier. This isn't fun!
At the next semi break in the rain I wander away from market and the lake and pass time (keep dry!) but looking into a few shops. Quite a number definitely cater to those people with people.
I'm really starting to fade so decide to head back to the room to relax and maybe even nap.
I force myself to go out for drinks / dinner around 6pm - as much as I'd love to go back to sleep it would mean I'd be up again at midnight!
Earlier in the day I had researched where to go for a drink but before then I wander around part of the lake where I see quite a few people cooling off in it; men sitting on the edge with fishing rods all set up and a group of teenagers climbing up a tree to then swing into the water. Ooh to be young again....
I'd seen Aperol Spritz on the menu where I had lunch, super excited!, so knew what my first drink in Slovenia was going to be. The bar lady didn't disappoint.
The restaurant is directly below the pub, a nice easy walk down the slope to enter! A local beer is ordered, which I enjoy while going through the long menu. As the sun slowly goes down the restaurant pulls up the sun blinds which gives us a great view to the lake. This is the life!
The delicious John Dory doesn't disappoint! Wondering how bad it would be if I come here every night for dinner.....
Slovenia has day light savings which really throws me (as HK doesn't) - as I wander back to the hotel it feels like mid-afternoon instead of 8pm.
Sunday 25 June I wake just after 4am - yeah no.....this isn't going to work!! Thankfully I manage to go back to sleep after surfing the net for a while.
My day starts again just before 8am - brilliant!
It's been far too long since I've done any exercise - I do mostly blame the awful rain we've had in HK recently! This holiday is for me to get back into it. So off I head to run around Lake Bled. I'd read it's 6km around - a little ambitious on day 1 but you need to be in it to win it!
There is next to no-one around which is lovely, and still cool which is perfect for running. Plus the scenery is amazing!!!
The first thing I notice when I walk into breakfast is the fresh fruit - always a sign of summer.
I don't want a repeat of yesterday - having to take cover whenever the rain started - so I borrow an umbrella from reception. And what a good thing that was! As I leave the hotel the umbrella goes up :)
I walk towards Grad (a small village), locating the bus stop for Tuesday, before stopping for an espresso.....aah I'm in Europe!
Before starting the uphill climb to Bled Castle I stop in at the Parish Church of St Martin. I love the blue on the ceiling.
Eeks the thunder is getting louder, time to press on!
The higher up I go the louder the thunder gets; soon after lightening and heavy heavy rain! In the end it's too much, I take shelter under some trees. Shortly after I realize my umbrella is leaking.....buggar! I get talking to another visitor who tells me you need to queue up to get in. With that I'm off - I'm getting wet anyway so better to get wet in a queue rather than out here.
On arrival at the top there is no queue to buy tickets - result! As I walk through the doors I notice a lot of people standing here. Yep I'm going to do the same, need to dry off a bit :) (although NO idea how to given I'm soaked) and hopefully the rain will ease up a bit.
Bled Castle is a medieval castle built on a steep cliff about 100 meters above Lake Bled. Walking up in the rain it seemed sooo much more than 100 meters! The map gives you a couple of different routes to wander around this 11th century castle. One advantage of the rain is there aren't that many people here.
The views of the lake and surrounding areas are great.
The rain has eased off a bit and the number of tourists has increased - time for me to leave. By the time I reach the lake the rain has all but stopped.
I swap umbrellas at the hotel then head off to find the Public Bar and Vegan restaurant for lunch.
The sun has made an appearance which means the number of people around has increased what seems like twenty fold. I wander around part of the lake until I find a seat in the sun - this is the life!
After having some down time in the room I head out to find Wine bar and restaurant Sova - of course as I exit the hotel is raining. Fingers crossed my "new to me" umbrella doesn't leak.
Wine bar and restaurant Sova is located directly across from Lake Bled, with the little island in front. Talk about amazing view!! Well that is before the crazy heavy rain arrived.
The waiter is rather unpleasant - I've been asked at least 3 times what I want to eat; dude it's not even 5.30pm - I'm not hungry yet!! I ask more times that I care for water, each time he turns up his nose at me. Well this is pleasant....not! I could be ok with the unpleasantness if the terrace was full, but it's not! Thank goodness for the view, the wine and my book.
The crazy heavy rain sets in, I’m very glad I'm up here and out of it. Bled Island goes from being seen to hardly recognizable.
I finally give in to the "what do you want to eat" question and order a beer. Dinner doesn't disappoint.
As I ask for the bill the thunder starts again; let’s hope I can at least get a few minutes along the lake before the rain begins again.
It's a pleasant wander along the lake, as the weather has cleared a bit there are a few more people around. I pass a few fishermen before getting chatting to one. He drove 22 hours to get here from England (why you wouldn't fly is beyond me but hey ho....) and hasn't caught a fish. Poor guy he was rather low, he's been here for 4 days. Fingers crossed in his last 24 hours he has success. He at least has an amazing backdrop while waiting for the fish.
After relaxing in my room I decide to head up to the roof terrace - on walking outside I'm "hit" with the cold. I'm praying for warmer weather tomorrow!! The views make up for the cold.
Monday 26 June I wake at 5am - huge improvement on yesterday! I head out for my run around the lake just after 6am, it's chilly!! But it's blue sky and the sun is out, such a contrast from yesterday.
I increase my distance on yesterday which I'm very stoked about!!!
I wander to the bus station to buy a ticket to Vintgar Gorge; am told I buy from the driver so head off to get coffee. The sun is nice and strong! Happy Sadj.
The bus trip goes through tiny tiny villages, I could be anywhere in Europe!
On arrival to Vintgar Gorge I quickly realise I’m not the only person that decided to visit today, but it’s not too crazy! In 1893 a 1.6km wooden walkway was built through the gorge – thankfully it was been rebuilt since then! Even with people around it’s relaxing walking next to the water; taking in the spectacular surroundings while watching where one steps!
It's a nice easy cool walk through the gorge.
When I arrive at the end I have a couple of options - walk back the way I came or walk to Bled. I opt for the later and am immediately walking up hill into the Forrest. Not sure this is the brightest idea given I'm alone and there doesn't appear to be sign-posts. For now I continue.
I run into a lady who's clearly exercising - she tells me to keep going up. Well at least I'm going in the right direction!
The same lady is at the top when I reach it and informs me it's straight down to Bled. Away I head.
On arrival into Bled I decide to treat myself to coffee and the famous cream cake. I've definitely earned it with the hills I walked up and over getting here!
I enjoy lunch sitting overlooking the lake, Bled Castle and parish of St martin. Might have to return here later for a drink. This is the life!
This afternoon I'd decided to head to the island in the middle of the lake (Bled Island); after making my way to the gondola’s I'm told they need 10-14 people to go - so far there is 3 of us. Waiting waiting waiting! You wouldn't want to be time pressed.
Finally we are off - on lake Bled :) It's a 25 minute row to the Bled Island…..for me 25 minutes to enjoy being on the lake.
Bled Island is tiny! We are told it was built in 1655 and is famous for locals to visit on marriage with the groom carrying his wife up the 99 steps. I visit the Church of the Assumption which is a baroque Church from the 17th century. The frescos are amazing! I join the other visitors ringing the “wishing bell”.
My last night in Lake Bled, not sure I'm ready to leave......I decide a drink overlooking Lake Bled is a must.
It’s extremely hot sitting here; not ideal given I got a little pink / red on my walk earlier. Hoping the moisturizer I have will assist in turning it into brown.
In the end the heat gets to me; it's still too early to eat dinner so I head to another bar for an aperol spritz.
For dinner I return to the restaurant I'd eaten at on the first night. It doesn't disappoint.
I have a small win on Tuesday 27 June, walking at 5.20am! It's the small things......
A huge positive of waking early is I'm one of only a handful of people up and around the lake. I do my standard run around the lake, this morning struggling more than the previous mornings......I "blame" the beers from last night :)
I pack up the majority of my things then head out for a last wander around part of the lake. It's still quite quiet which is lovely. I end my stay in Lake Bled having coffee overlooking the lake - bliss!
Lake Bled has been an amazing start to my Slovenia holiday; a very magical, serene, green and clean place. It's off to Ljubljana (by bus) I go.
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