Morning sees me up early at 5:30am so I head off for a walk around the lake. I didn't swim but will tomorrow as the lake is empty at this time except for a few hardy swimmers down at the campground end. The only other people out are runners and fishermen with the most high-tech gear I've ever seen. I wonder at the walled compound on the far side of the lake and later find that it is where Yugoslav President used to stay. Today's temperature is much nicer with a spot of rain around noon.
During a good breakfast (enough food for 2 with best cup of tea) downstairs I meet a kiwi couple who are touring around. During this trip I meet a few Kiwis and Aussies who are taking a few months out to bike or hike around Europe. Then I head back up to my room to snooze for a bit longer. Finally it's time to head out again to buy sunscreen and a hat. I can't find sunscreen anywhere and walk from one shop to another following suggestions. Surely such a busy holiday destination would sell sunscreen. Eventually I find a very expensive 17,00 sunscreen in a sport shop on my way home later in the afternoon. I buy a cap and head out on a Plenta boat ride to the island in the middle of Lake Bled.
The island is busy and I am lucky enough to see a beautiful wedding taking place. Legend has it that the groom has to carry the bride up the 99 steps to the church but I didn't see this occur.
I ring the bell 3 times in the church and make a wish then climb up another 90 stairs to the clock tower. I had forgotten how many steps there are in Europe and marvel at how fit Europeans are.
After a look at an art exhibition I feel it is time for a limonella & mango gelato and enjoy that before catching our Pletna back to the mainland.
Time to taste the famous Kreme cake - there is a restaurant which sells only these. It really is too hot to be eating custard cream cake but it doesn't seem to stop the hundreds there.
One thing I have noticed is that there is no air conditioning in my hotel room, restaurant or shops. I found a cheap Chinese restaurant so head there for dinner and a beer followed up with a walk around the lake eating a blackberry and white chocolate gelato.
I'm heading back to the hotel when I hear an Om Pa Pa band so head over to investigate. Imagine my surprise (and joy) when I find a wine festival happening so the idea of going home disappears and a tasting glass is purchased along with some vouchers to sample local Slovenian wines. What a happening place with live music, wine, good conversation and an overall joyful feeling. Around 11pm I head back up the hill to my room, feeling slightly tipsy.
Next morning I wake early again at 5:45am but don't get up until 7! Breakfast doesn't start until 8am so I head down for another good breakfast with 2 cups of tea. Today's destination is Bled Castle which sits high over the lake. So many steps! If I thought yesterday was bad, today is torture. My knee doth protest and my heart is pounding. Eventually I make it to the top in the heat and tour the castle.
Afterwards I walk down to the lake. The strange thing about Lake Bled is that the swimming area is miles away from the town, at the opposite end of the lake. I decide I'm so hot that I opt for the Lido which is close although I balk at paying 8,00 for entry. But once I'm in the lake, which is a chilling 25 degrees, and floating in the rain it feels worth it. Trust me to wait until it rains to swim.
On my walk back to town I get another icecream then it's off to Kremna Rezina for a chocolate kreme cake and coffee. The rain comes and goes and I share a table and a few drinks with a well travelled American couple. It's a fun afternoon swapping travel stories. On the way back to my room I stop for a corn cob - delicious. It's nice to have thunder and rain and cooler temperatures. I opt for pizza for dinner tonight and meet an Australian couple who are spending 5 months cycling around Europe after doing back-to-back cruises from Singaporte to Croatia. When leaving, on the advice of the Aussie, I head through a door that looks like an electrical cupboard to find an ice hockey rink with players. Who would have thought? Meals everywhere are huge and I find it difficult or impossible to finish them.
There are nowhere near as many people in Bled today and it's a lot more pleasant. The atmosphere along the lake front is lively and I can see why it's such a popular summer destination for Europeans with many driving from their own countries bringing campers and bikes.
Final morning sees me walking around the lake at 6am. I spot a side road and follow it up into a rural community. Tractors sit alongside tourist vehicles. Decrepit barns sit alongside new homes offering beds. Such a peaceful place to be this early in the day.
Back to the pension for breakfast with cuppa tea then pack. I had thought I'd take the toy train around the lake back to the railway station but opt to walk. It's around 45 minutes with my two bags so I leave in plenty of time. The return train trips are uneventful and I arrive easily in Trieste in early evening.
During a good breakfast (enough food for 2 with best cup of tea) downstairs I meet a kiwi couple who are touring around. During this trip I meet a few Kiwis and Aussies who are taking a few months out to bike or hike around Europe. Then I head back up to my room to snooze for a bit longer. Finally it's time to head out again to buy sunscreen and a hat. I can't find sunscreen anywhere and walk from one shop to another following suggestions. Surely such a busy holiday destination would sell sunscreen. Eventually I find a very expensive 17,00 sunscreen in a sport shop on my way home later in the afternoon. I buy a cap and head out on a Plenta boat ride to the island in the middle of Lake Bled.
I ring the bell 3 times in the church and make a wish then climb up another 90 stairs to the clock tower. I had forgotten how many steps there are in Europe and marvel at how fit Europeans are.
After a look at an art exhibition I feel it is time for a limonella & mango gelato and enjoy that before catching our Pletna back to the mainland.
Time to taste the famous Kreme cake - there is a restaurant which sells only these. It really is too hot to be eating custard cream cake but it doesn't seem to stop the hundreds there.
One thing I have noticed is that there is no air conditioning in my hotel room, restaurant or shops. I found a cheap Chinese restaurant so head there for dinner and a beer followed up with a walk around the lake eating a blackberry and white chocolate gelato.
I'm heading back to the hotel when I hear an Om Pa Pa band so head over to investigate. Imagine my surprise (and joy) when I find a wine festival happening so the idea of going home disappears and a tasting glass is purchased along with some vouchers to sample local Slovenian wines. What a happening place with live music, wine, good conversation and an overall joyful feeling. Around 11pm I head back up the hill to my room, feeling slightly tipsy.
Next morning I wake early again at 5:45am but don't get up until 7! Breakfast doesn't start until 8am so I head down for another good breakfast with 2 cups of tea. Today's destination is Bled Castle which sits high over the lake. So many steps! If I thought yesterday was bad, today is torture. My knee doth protest and my heart is pounding. Eventually I make it to the top in the heat and tour the castle.
Afterwards I walk down to the lake. The strange thing about Lake Bled is that the swimming area is miles away from the town, at the opposite end of the lake. I decide I'm so hot that I opt for the Lido which is close although I balk at paying 8,00 for entry. But once I'm in the lake, which is a chilling 25 degrees, and floating in the rain it feels worth it. Trust me to wait until it rains to swim.
On my walk back to town I get another icecream then it's off to Kremna Rezina for a chocolate kreme cake and coffee. The rain comes and goes and I share a table and a few drinks with a well travelled American couple. It's a fun afternoon swapping travel stories. On the way back to my room I stop for a corn cob - delicious. It's nice to have thunder and rain and cooler temperatures. I opt for pizza for dinner tonight and meet an Australian couple who are spending 5 months cycling around Europe after doing back-to-back cruises from Singaporte to Croatia. When leaving, on the advice of the Aussie, I head through a door that looks like an electrical cupboard to find an ice hockey rink with players. Who would have thought? Meals everywhere are huge and I find it difficult or impossible to finish them.
There are nowhere near as many people in Bled today and it's a lot more pleasant. The atmosphere along the lake front is lively and I can see why it's such a popular summer destination for Europeans with many driving from their own countries bringing campers and bikes.
Final morning sees me walking around the lake at 6am. I spot a side road and follow it up into a rural community. Tractors sit alongside tourist vehicles. Decrepit barns sit alongside new homes offering beds. Such a peaceful place to be this early in the day.
Back to the pension for breakfast with cuppa tea then pack. I had thought I'd take the toy train around the lake back to the railway station but opt to walk. It's around 45 minutes with my two bags so I leave in plenty of time. The return train trips are uneventful and I arrive easily in Trieste in early evening.
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