Wednesday, December 27, 2017:  Ljubljana, Slovenia to Zagreb, Croatia 

After breakfast at the hotel, we drove northwest of Ljubljana toward the Lake Bled area of Slovenia.  We are hoping to take a drive into the mountains, and over several passes, but we will see how the day goes.  There are low clouds and it is raining here in the city.  It will either get worst or get better.

There is an autobahn going toward the Triglav Mountains, but it stops soon after the exit to Bled/Lake Bled.  However, in the guide book there is a recommendation to stop at the village of Radovljica. It is known for the paintings on buildings and ginger bread – especially gingerbread hearts.  In this village there is also a museum on the art of beekeeping.  Slovenia is the primary honey producing country in Europe.  Cal definitely had an interest in visiting the museum. It was an excellent presentation.  

Bee Exhibit

Carrying a Bee Hive

Decorative Bee Hive

Painted Bee Hive Fronts

In Slovenia most beekeepers keep their hives in bee houses. That is, there can be 15-20 hives next to each other in a building, with the entrance to the hive outside the building.  They also paint the front panel of their bee boxes. They think bees can detect color and design – don’t know if that is an actual fact!  After the bee museum we went to the gingerbread house, where they make, bake and decorate gingerbread.  A lot of them are for ornaments.  Many of the ornaments are in the shape of hearts.  This was a fun place.  Since it was raining, it was great to be inside where it was dry and warm.   We did not want the rain to hinder our exploring, as we had coats, hat, gloves and umbrellas.        

Gingerbread Museum

Gingerbread Bee House

It continued to rain the whole way to the town of Bled.  Between the raindrops, we were able to take photos of Lake Bled, the Bled Castle and the Island in the middle of the lake on which there is a church.  We drove up to the castle, but it was a wet, cold, miserable tour. Back in the car, we drove to the other side of the lake for more photos. We had to keep a cotton cloth with us at all times to keep our camera lens dry.  

Bleb Castle

View from the Castle

Castle Winery

Church on Bleb Lake Island

By now we decided the weather was NOT going to improve, just become more dense fog and more rain, so be aborted our idea of the higher Triglav mountains/National Park.   With that in mind, we continued on the lake road, going deeper into the mountain valley, to yet another lake at the end of the road.   On our way we pulled off the main road and followed a narrow road into this little grouping of homes/barns/hay-racks, etc. All of a sudden, Cherie saw a bee house/shed (see photo).  We spent a more time in this village than expected, as we saw numerous bee houses, plus they had interesting barns and homes, etc.

At the end of the road we turned around and retraced our route.  By now we knew the weather was not changing today.  We decided the only thing to do was head back to Zagreb.  We can have a relaxing evening, eating our last meal in Zagreb and repacking.  Our flight leaves for Munich at 1:10 tomorrow.  

One of Many Hay Racks

Bee House

Tuesday, December 26, 2017:  Zagreb, Croatia to Ljubljana, Slovenia

After breakfast in the apartment, we packed items for a one overnight stay, and left for a drive to Slovenia.  The border between Croatia and Slovenia is about 18 miles west of Zagreb.  The border crossing was backed-up.  We had to wait at least 10-min to complete the stamping of our passports.  When we rented the car, we paid for border crossing insurance, but as soon as we entered Slovenia we had to buy an electronic Toll-Road Pass for 15 Euros.  It was simple when going through toll booths. You slow down, and everything is automated – none of having to dig out money to pay toll. It is similar to E-Z Pass in the U.S.          

We continued west on the autobahn until we were out in the countryside.  When there was a good secondary road, we existed.  We stopped at villages with castles, churches, etc.  We really enjoy these “off the autobahn” drives.  However, if we want “to get” somewhere, the autobahns are wonderful.  The highway infrastructure system is very good in Croatia and Slovenia.

Castle near the Border

Strawberries

It is of course winter here, but we saw fields (acres) of strawberries that will produce in the spring, acres of vineyards, row after row of greenhouses – not sure what all they were protecting, wheat fields, and fields of winter veggie (cole) crops. We also began seeing Slovenia hay-drying racks.  These are completely different than when we use the word “hay-rack” in Iowa! (see photo) Due to the amount of rain this area receives, they hang the hay on these racks that have a little roof, so the hay is able to dry before storing it in the barn – even the barns are ventilated.  

One of the Many Open Barns

Barns in a Small Town

Otocec Castle

We arrived in Ljubljana soon after lunch, found a hotel near the center of town, with parking by the front door.   From the hotel we could walk to Old Town in ease.  Ljubljana was decorated for Christmas, and Christmas markets were on both sides of the river.  The river front is the place of action.  Above the city is a lovely castle. We took the funicular (cable car) up the mountain instead of walking!! - saved time too!!   

After riding the funicular back down to the city, a cup of coffee was in order.  It was a cloudy, chilly day, but not raining.  We walked through the Christmas markets on several squares, and visited St Nicholas Cathedral.  There is a Dragon bridge, a Cobblers bridge, and the famous Triple bridge (see photos).  At the Triple Bridge we noticed they were blocking off streets – for a Santa Parade.  Yes, this is Dec 26, and for us Christmas is over, but for the Orthodox Christians, Christmas is January 6.  (the Orthodox calendar is 15 days behind the Catholic & Protestant calendar). Christmas celebrations in this part of Europe will continue until Jan 6.

Learning to Ski

Slovenia Honey

Ljubljana Castle

View from the Castle

Castle Chapel

The Santa Parade was to begin at 5:00, so we decided to hang around to see how it is done in Slovenia.  Finally, at about 5:45, Santa pulled up to the middle of the Triple Bridge in a carriage, pulled by a beautiful white horse.  Actually, Santa looked more like a Father Christmas than Santa Claus.  Plus, he spoke excellent English to us!!!  Santa and his helpers (elves, black Pete (someone painted all black), handed candy to the children and those adults who so desired.  

Chestnuts Roasting

Santa Clause

By the time the parade was over, it was beginning to drizzle, and we were beginning to chill.  Around the corner we found a great restaurant – one of the oldest in Ljubljana, for a great meal. Their sauerkraut soup was excellent – rich and hot!  

After dinner we continued to walk among the Christmas market booth and squares, taking photos of their Christmas decorations.

Monday, December 25, 2017: Christmas Day

We were to gather at 9:00 this morning to open gifts.  The kids wanted everyone to have their cup of coffee, and be seated, ready to open gifts, at 9:00.  Well it was after 9:10 until the stockings were handed to each person.  The couples brought gifts from home for the kids.  It was a delightful time.  After the wrapping paper was cleaned up, we had a homemade breakfast.  

It was about noon when we departed for our apartment, to relax, nap and prepare for 5:00 Christmas dinner.  I had to cook sweet potatoes, and peel white potatoes with a dull paring knife.  The squash was already peeled and diced.   

Christmas Tree with Presants

Christmas Group in Zagreb

When everything was under control Cherie and I went on another stroll.  This time finding another church with open doors. Up front they had a beautiful nativity display – one of the nicest we have seen this Christmas.   

One of the gals in our group loves to take late night walks.  Today she reported about her walk last night!  We knew there was going to be Christmas Eve midnight mass at the Zagreb Cathedral. We thought it may be interesting to observe, even though we would not have been able to understand, but we were all too tired to stay up and attend, however, Donna walked that way last night. She was completely surprised.  The Cathedral had an overflow crowd.  The whole area/plaza outside was filled with people and they listened to the whole mass via the loud speaker. She was amazed.  

By 5:00 our food was prepared and off we went to Christmas dinner.  What a feast! And everything tasted wonderful.  Instead of turkey we had a pork roast with all the trimmings - even fresh apple sauce. What a Christmas to remember.  

The City of Zagreb has definitely been in the Christmas spirit.

Christmas Dinner