May 2016

A driving day – we had quite some distance to cover (in European terms).

There was also a border crossing involved.  A stretch of windy mountainous road through a section of Austria and out the other side back into Slovenia.  This was the only time we almost had a Border Security incident.

Phew!  Made it…..  The section of Austria we had to travel through was breathtaking.

Back in Slovenia.

There’s always time to visit interesting sights but never forget about the journey along the way.  We passed through breathtakingly green scenery, clusters of cottages set beside the road and the occasional religious monument.

Random rest stop artwork.

Our destination before lunch – Rinka Falls which is around 7km along the Logar Valley, carved out by a glacier, passing the settlement of Logarska Dolina.  Logar Valley is tucked neatly into the side of the Kamnik Alps.

A church just prior to entering Logarska Dolina.

The photos describe this wonderful valley so much better than I can in words.

 

Rinka Falls

At the end of this stunningly green valley is Rinka Falls.  One of the most visited falls in Slovenia.  A lovely cool walk from the carpark up to the base of the falls and back.

There’s a tiny cafe built at the falls, a little like a tree house, where access is only by climbing many, many stairs.  Hardly a challenge (smug smile) but I was little puffed.  Enjoyed an Espresso and a conversation with a very intense Slovenian who had strong opinions on many topics……

Solcava (Lunch!)

We were starving!  Jeff had been open for business for some time after our glacial waterfall adventure.  We stopped at the tiny village of Solcava and enjoyed a pizza, sitting outside near the river.

And, on the road again.

Lasko – A Night to Remember

We drove through the town of Celje with a small detour to the smaller spa (hot springs) town of Lasko.  It’s mostly known for the Lasko Brewery, the largest brewery in Slovenia.

Jeff’s chosen accommodation was booked out which set us on a hunt for a bed for the night.  Not as easy as we thought.  Finally, we found a motel with a “vacancy”.  Little did we know this was going to be a night to remember.

To begin with, the hotel receptionist was a friend minding the hotel (the owners were missing in action).  He did not know what he was doing and frantic phone calls were made back and forth to the conspicious absent owner.  He was also quite creepy.

The room was tiny, there was no soap or toiletries, but worst of all, there were no other guests in a motel of some 100 rooms and all the staff went home.  Curious or a warning sign?

We walked over the road to a pizzeria and enjoyed a Ceasar Salad and a Nocoise Salad – both good, washed down by a Lasko beer of course.

It was a long night.  I lay awake most of the night conjuring up images of stories that began with “It was a dark and stormy night…..”. Jeff wasn’t that worried about being the only guests in an empty motel – he slept.  In the morning I was surprised to wake with an exhausted imagination but happy that we hadn’t had our kidney’s harvested during the night.

Hightailed it out of there pronto!

Jeff & Catherine xx