Month: July 2017

Day 2 Swim trek

/ brisbanefrannie / 2 Comments

Once swim trek starts there isn’t much more to report than what goes on during the trip day.

It’s all about the trip to the boat, the journey to the start of the day’s swim. The examining of the map, the applying of the vasoline to stop chaffing (believe me you don’t want chaffing from all this salty water! It’s very painful)


Then it’s off and away.

Our group is small but we’re getting along just fine. Four French men and Dann our American, Yves our ex guide and friend, and Steve and I. Lucky me , only girl.


Today we motored down the back of the island we are on and moored in a little bay which sparkled in the morning light. The water is the  most exquisite blue.

We set off to cross the channel. It can be busy so we had to stay together.

It was 3.5 km across and fortunately the conditions were perfect. We had a few little stops – for boats or water and then at the end a snack of banana. Then we swam around a little island entered the channel and swam along the coast for another km or so. We took a break in a little bay with a village along the shoreline. People must wonder about us as we swim up past their boats or into the village where they have umbrellas scattered along the shoreline.


We pushed on and finally finished after 6.4 km. All in one swim which for me is the longest distance I’ve done in one swim.

We were given our swim trek t-shirt. And everyone sat around chatting about the swims and the shirts!

This afternoon we may swim on to make it 8 km.



At the end of a great day the guides Neil and Ricky sit with all the gear in the back of our van! The ever smiling guides.

First day of Swimtrek

/ brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

We were in the breakfast room by 8am all dressed ready for the trek.

Yves managed to sleep in! By 8.30 we were away in a van to the other side of the island to save us sailing time in the boat. We headed off with all the gear around us and Ricky gave us the briefing which explained the swims for today.


I was getting nervous. The first swim was to be 5 km. Along some coast line and at least 3 crossings from island to island. This can be hard.

A few pointers were given on efficiency in stroke and vasoline applied to areas that could suffer from chaffing.


Then it was in the water and off .

The first part seemed long and hard then we got into a rhythm. We swam and swam and finally reached the end. It was about 5.3 km. Probably my longest swim in one hit!  Feeling chuffed!

We enjoyed lunch on the boat prepared by Ricky and Neil and even made smoothies in the Revablend. It’s a new gadget that blends without electricity. It hand powered. Our friend on the trip Dan Garr has invented it. It’s was fantastic.


By the end of the day we had swum 7.2 km. I was tired.

We had a few drinks, dinner and fell into bed. Tomorrow is another day and another 8 km.

Lazy Summer day by the beach

/ brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

After a lovely dinner last night we were late to bed and enjoyed the quietness of our apartment. We are back from the party atmosphere of the beach and I must say it’s quieter.

We got up before most of the party people and that includes the children! We wandered down to the beach and swam out and around the small island. It was quiet with very few boats. It was about 1.5 km and felt beautiful.

Yes I swam around the island twice today. From near the blue dot which is our hotel.

Back on land we were amused to see the free wooden slatted day beds had towels on them to ‘reserve’ them. I think holiday makers sneak out at night and put the towels on them anchored down with rocks. There were certainly no swimmers around so it was a plot against early risers wanting beds! I felt tempted to remove the towels and lie down. No wonder many beaches have paid day beds! Make them free and people think they can own them by depositing a towel on them.

Following breakfast I left Steve doing emails and went for a walk and some shade to read my book. I was sitting near the water under a tree and heard a familiar voice. It was Yves   – our old swim trek friend from 2014 Sardinia trip. He’d arrived with a local having been given a lift from the port.

We waited for Steve to join us for coffee and caught up on lots of news. Yves us a great guy. He is half Australian half Vanuatian. So has a French and Australian passport. He worked for Swim trek when we first met him but now works on-and-off as a town planner in England, when he’s not running his own standup paddle boarding trips to places like Mexico, or swim treks to his home place Vanuatu. We’re planning a trek to Vanuatu next year. Come along.

Later in the afternoon the group for our swim trek arrived.

What a great group. Four FRENCH men, Yves, and Dan Garr and his wife Isabelle and two sons Max and Luke.

We did an orientation swim. Yes around the island again! Then we were put into our swim groups for tomorrow. I’m with Steve and two Frenchmen. Julien and Daniel.

We had a great first night dinner  with the guides Ricky and Neil. Both great guys. They outlined the swim for tomorrow. Help.! It’s 5 km in the morning and 2 km in the afternoon.

Mmmmm … off to bed for a good sleep.

Farewell Slovenia. Hello Croatia. 

/ brisbanefrannie / 1 Comment

We had a wonderful last night in Bled. After the storm we made it to the little church island. It was quiet and beautiful. The church of the Assumption is mostly white with a restrained interior and a bell you are invited to ring and make a wish. I had wondered about the number of bells I’d been hearing!

Inside of the bell tower. Wonderful wooden staircase.

Had a great last dinner at  villa on the edge of Bled town. Phillip the waiter was very helpful and friendly which was in contrast to the trip advisor comments on the restaurant.

As we walked back along the lake we decided we’d had the perfect amount of time in Bled. For all it’s beauty unless you want to hang out at the lake swimming or do bush walking then two days is probably enough. We were ready for Croatia.

So bright and early we made our way to the little bus station. Thank goodness Villa Pavlovski was only a 3 min walk!

We got the bus back to Ljubljana and changed to one for Croatia. It was to take 5 hrs all up. The scenery was good and we knew we’d arrived in Croatia because things were not quite as green and there were rocky outcrops everywhere. Very rugged landscape here. Which contrasts amazingly well with the Blue of the sea.

Just north of Zadar. Contrasting rugged landscape and the sea.

We arrived in Zadar at 1.30 ready for lunch with Tracey a friend from Melbourne. We met last year in Montenegro and it turns out she’d just finished two treks. First in Sardinia then in Croatia. She is great fun and has made great progress with her swimming. She went in a fun swim today in Zadar with 4 of the swim trek guides – 5 km -and won her age group and “First Australian over the line”! She’s amazing.

By 4.30 we were riding the ferry to Ugljan and the township of Preko. We were met by one if the hotel staff and whisked along to a modern looking complex of little 2 bedroom apartments. The hotel overlooks the very pretty, very busy  bay. Only problem- none of the apartments have a view of the sea. The good thing is we are away from the party night noise.


Preko is a summer holiday haven. All around Ugljan there are bays and beaches and we’ll be swimming them with guides Ricky and Neil.

Land of summer fun. Preko Bay.

We had a swim and the water is gorgeous. And salty! After  fresh water Lake Bled it was a bit much for the eyes with no goggles.

Then I walked and people watched. Summer anywhere brings the crowds. The families, friends, dog lovers, eaters, teenagers in packs. All getting along. Playing and splashing (not much swimming!) and eating gelato. All shapes and sizes with almost all the women in two pieces. Including me! And I didn’t feel anyone even noticed me. In Australia I definitely wouldn’t wear one, but here, why not! If I’d had my bright training swimmers from Funkita on they may have noticed me.

Restaurants and boats. Just the right mix.

There is a walkway that follows the waterline along – in and around the beaches and bays. You get to a section where there are restaurants lined up together. Not with the cream umbrellas of Ljubljana but with either smart furniture or plastic. Doesn’t make much difference.

We returned for a walk heading for dinner around 9pm and there were still groups splashing and playing. The children seem so carefree. The moon was coming out and the colours of the sky so soft and beautiful.


I know we’ll have a good week here. We’re looking forward to our friends arriving tomorrow.

This  trek will take us to the quiet isolated parts of this island and to explore other islands in this area. Lucky us.

Summer around Lake Bled

/ brisbanefrannie / 7 Comments

If you want to beat the crowds you have to get up early! Hence the saying … ‘The early bird catches the worm’

We got going and walked up the steep hill as well as  the 300 steps to reach the castle. I think we were almost first there . The climb really tested the knees!

The last little bit of uphill. All worth it.

The view back over the lake was beautiful.


We met a nice Israeli man who asked me to take his photo. Well at least 30 photos in various locations around the castle made me want to hide! Or charge a fee. Especially after the prayer position in the Chapel.

The castle is very small by the standard of other castles in Europe and was extensively damaged in two earthquakes back in the 1600’s and 1700’s. It’s been rebuilt with new uses in mind and is therefore very pretty for a castle. There are also workshops set up in some of the rooms, a blacksmith, and we met the loveliest young printer. I must say the men here are very handsome.

Lovely young printer in the print shop. Born and bred in Bled.

After coffee we left the castle and made our way back down the very steep hill to join the walkway around the lake. It’s a 5 km walk and we didn’t hurry. This left time to observe the lake from all angles, observe our fellow travellers, see the activities people get up to, have a swim and of course a gelato.

A novel way of keep cans cool. The little waterfall just keeps flowing over the cans which turns the bucket they are sitting in.

There were a number of interesting sculptures.

I particularly liked this sculpture of a rower. Rowing is huge over here. The world championships are coming up soon.

There were a number of people fishing. Mind you we didn’t see anything being caught. Their gear was all very coordinated and we wondered if they had hired it?


We reached a little beach. Lots of families were paddling and swimming so we moved around the corner and set up our things for a swim. Steve headed off and I sat for awhile before hitting the beautiful water and swimming out to the island. It was about 1 km and was just lovely. I joined a group of teenagers. A swim camp I think but after a bit they pulled away from me! I wonder why?

Just past our swim spot I noticed all these little fish enjoying their swim

When we’d finished we were enjoying the sun and the quiet when along came the local scout group. There must have been 60 little kids around 6-10 years old who carried rolled up mats, little scarves around their necks and bags stuffed with swimming gear. They wasted no time in discarding clothes and putting on their swimmers. All very relaxed.

They hit the shallows and no body seemed to be overly concerned that most didn’t seem able to swim. They stayed with in their depth and splashed around and most didn’t even put their head under.


We continued our walk and saw lots of little groups splashing around when they could get into the lake safely.

Of course I spotted a wedding.

Quite the meringue style dress but she looked lovely. Note the hydrangeas. They are everywhere around the lake.

A few more views of the castle and the church – which we visited earlier today.


We finished and enjoyed a beer and salad before heading back to our apartment. Then it clouded over, the wind blew, the thunder came, and we’ve just had a beauty of a storm. When it blows over we’ll head out for the boat ride to the church on the island.


This little bird joined us on the deck for lunch!

Oh What a Wonderful World 

/ brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

Today travelled out of beautiful little Ljubljana through lush countryside and arrived in Paradise.

I’d heard good things about Lake Bled but it is just so beautiful I’m short of words to describe it! and the weather is glorious.

We got off the bus after a 50 min easy coach ride and walked around the corner and down a little hill to the most beautiful view of the lake. And there was our accommodation. Close to the bus, opposite a park falling down a gentle slope to the lake.


The only downside is we don’t have a view of the lake from our apartment. But who wants to be in the apartment – as lovely as it is? We arrived too early to enter the apartment so left our bags and took ourselves off for a walk.

Lake Bled is a lake in the Julien Alps in the NW of Slovenia. It is 2.1km long and 1.4km at it widest. It has a small island, and on the island is a beautiful church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. The church has a tower which stands tall across the lake.

Steve swimming with the beautiful church behind him

Bled also has a castle perched atop a steep cliff about 100 m above the lake. Talk about dramatic.

We will visit the castle tomorrow.

We stopped lake side for a salad and healthy juice as we  planned an afternoon swim. We did share one the famous Lake Bled Crema pastries – like a vanilla slice.

Note the 2 spoons. We shared.

After checking in to our very cute clean apartment we headed off in swimmers to the beach and boatshed. Lifesaver Steve decided we should row across the lake to the island and have a swim. There is a lido where for 6 euro you can get access to a large roped off area of the lake with inflatable things, a slide, some pontoons and lots of lawn to stretch our on.


We hired a boat. And off we – well Steve – rowed. I gave navigational directions!


We got to the little island in good time and tied up in one of the parking spots and joined some of the swimmers jumping off the dock. Unlike the jumpers who just jumped then climbed back we head off for a swim around the island. It was , according to Steve’s fancy swimmers watch, 750 m and we did it in 15 mins. So not too far! And it was delightful. Water temp was good and it was so clean and clear.

I had a little row coming back so Steve could take another short swim with the church behind him.


After our swim and returning the boat we lazed on the grass beside the lake and read and people watched. There are lots of people around but it doesn’t feel crowded. Some nice family groups with small children. We watched the little boats coming and going from the church island. It’s actually a little reminiscent of last year’s stay in Perast Montenegro where there was a similar church island in the bay.

Cute boats transport people. Rather plain hotel in the back ground.

We were having a little lie down and a nap when we heard snorting! Eyes opened to see a little horse grazing nearby. A man had  horse on a lead and was letting him graze –  then every now and then a small child would wander up and he’d offer a ride.


So now it’s time to shower and change for dinner. We haven’t quite decided where to go tonight. Probably somewhere with a view on the menu!

Looking up and down in Ljubljana 

/ brisbanefrannie / 9 Comments

Today we walked and walked and saw things and ate!

We started with coffee downstairs at “our cafe”. Then we walked to the Tivoli garden. They are huge and green and had the best outdoor photographic exhibition about Ljubljana in the past and Ljubljana now.

We visited the National Museum. Some great exhibitions particularly the current one on musical instruments from the past.

We kept walking…….. and looked up and down. The buildings have unique decorations and I love them. So I have collected some of my favourites.

This one is a bell!

A beautiful crown



Looking down on Ljubljana from the castle


Looking up the spiral staircase in the castle


The top of the neighbourhood church


Looking down from the castle clock tower. Our apartment is up behind the water fountain.


Looking up from the boat we toured the river on.


Looking down on my octopus salad.


Looking up at the little boy examining the lovers’ locks on the bridge.


Looking down from the clock tower into the castle courtyard where they are setting up for the first film of the summer season.


Looking up at the funicular rails to the castle top.


Looking down at the paddlers on the river in the afternoon light.
It’s been amazing here in Ljubljana. So restful but full of sights and sounds. And wonderful food

Under the green and in the caves of Slovenia.

/ brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

Lovely and cool this morning as we walked to the train station on our way to the Skocjan Caves about an hour south west of Ljubljana. We’d heard these Caves were worth visiting so planned a day through the countryside to get to them.

What we didn’t plan was the train being changed to a bus. Not sure why. You don’t get too many explanations on matters of transport!

The bus proved to be considerably slower as we wound through the lush countryside. They don’t know the meaning of drought here in Slovenia. It’s green and well forested.

Outside the cave it was green and bright

The surrounding countryside

Steve outside the cave

 

The villages are reminiscent of German, Swiss or Austrian villages. They are neat and tidy with flowering window boxes on all the houses. They have well stacked woodpiles near each house – an early preparation for winter, well tended veggie patches and lots play equipment for the children.

I love Italy but must say the Slovenians are much neater. No rubbish by the roads. Just beautiful.

We arrived at the train station – in the bus – and had missed the shuttle to the caves.  A very kind young man named Bognor who was having a coffee in the station cafe insisted on driving us the 2 km to the caves. He also took along two young German girls who we had befriended from the bus. Such a kind young man.

Laura and Francie stayed with us throughout the tour and we had a great time

So by 1 pm we were ready for the walk through the caves. I was completely unprepared for the spectacle we were to see. It was magnificent, amazing  and not to be missed. These caves are Unesco listed and are grand and spectacular.

We were underground for about 2 hours walking through the various chambers and were completely knocked out by what we saw. Photos are prohibited and they wouldn’t do it justice anyway. We walked along the man-made concrete paths looking at the stalactites and stalagmites in the largest underground canyon in the world. Up and down we climbed. 500 steps as well as the long walkways winding up and around the chambers. We walked across a bridge about 100 metres underground and 100 metres above the river flowing through the cave.

Daylight after 2 hours underground. Spectacular

Please look up these caves and see some photos. I don’t have any to share.

 

After we arrived back in Ljubljana we celebrated our great day with  – you guessed -Aperol and a beer, then had a great dinner at Valvasor restaurant. Such beautiful food. Tempura asparagus followed by grilled tuna on a bed of vegetables and a delicious white wine Malvazija. Such a great day

 

 

Getting to know a new city

/ brisbanefrannie / 6 Comments

I find the best way to get to know a new place quickly is to do a walking tour.

A map of Ljubljana. Note the old town and the castle above it.

Generally you get a really informed local who likes to meet people. Why else would you do this job? In the last few places we have visited we used Tours for Tips – a company with tours operating all over the world. Here Steve booked one in the local travel centre.

We slept well and headed out for a walk and coffee before meeting at 10am at the City Hall. Our guide – I think her name was Carmen – was a woman in her forties with a charming direct personality, who grew up here in Ljubljana. She knew a lot about the workings of the city and is an interested foodie and gave us lots of hints on the local food.

Entrance to the restaurant with local products


In fact, after orientation to get ourself into the cities history – we entered the city hall building to do this – we headed to a typical restaurant to taste the local sausage- a Kransky style pork sausage served with horseradish cream. This was followed by a small taste of their walnut pastry called potica. Like many of these European cities,  cakes and pastries are consumed as a national pastime. No-one worries about eating too much. I’m also very keen to try their vanilla slice.

History is reflected in the food. Austria has been very obvious in the history here and you see it as you notice the cakes and pastries in the windows of the shops.


We walked along cobbled streets, past the Cathedral and it’s magnificent doors, and caught the funicular up to the castle. There has been a very clever restoration of the castle. The new blends in with the old so well. The rooms are now used as a museum, restaurant, the civic centre for weddings, and a beautiful chapel where you can sit in the quiet and take in the art and frescoes covering the ceiling and walls. A tall, rather handsome gentleman was sitting demonstrating his calligraphy art, making name plates for the visitors. I stood watching his accuracy, speed and beautiful work when he handed me a card with the words Amore vincit omnia which means ‘Loves conquers all’. So sweet of him. 


We walked down one of the many paths from the castle,  back towards the red roofs of the old town.   Carmen told us many more little stories about this lovely city as we steadily walked down the steep cobbled streets. For a while we shaded beaneath the chestnut trees that surround the castle and as we got lower we walked in the shadows of the stone buildings.


The tour ended outside the City Hall and we bid Carmen and our fellow travellers farewell as we headed towards a restaurant I’d noticed on our walk. Julija is a well presented restaurant serving a modern menu including some of the local dishes. Steve had some veal with porcini and I had duck leg with polenta and sour cherries. Sounds Italian but was Slovenian (without the sausage!)

No dessert cake for us – we were saving ourselves for gelato. Now that is Italian, but is just as popular here. The streets after lunch are awash with the drips of gelato as people wander along licking their unusual flavours. Mine – pink grapefruit with basil – was a first and so refreshing.

We walked off lunch then headed for our apartment which is above a few cafe bars – so the afternoon was spent watching a little of the Tour d France and listening to the cafe music.

Late afternoon we headed off for our passagiata along the river before stopping for an Aperol Spritz and a beer. It is quite the aperitif hour and the cream umbrella cafes (the city declared all cafes were to have large cream umbrellas only) were crowded with a variety of people – mostly young, some families, some Asian tourists and a few oldies like us! It seems to be a toss up at this time of the evening. An alcoholic drink or a gelato?


After my usual evening observations we walked to the concert hall for a performance by the St Petersburg Symphony with a pianist soloist who appeared to be about 16. He was probably 20!  Such talent.


I got to take in the concert crowd as well as enjoy the music. We walked home window shopping. There are some great shops here and the sales are on. Pity I don’t need a thing!

The dragon is the symbol of the city. It’s everywhere including on their flag


Ljubiana is proving to be a great holiday destination.

Australia is a LONG way from Ljubljana 

/ brisbanefrannie / 5 Comments

We Australians are good travellers. Otherwise we would never go back for another trip. 

Our flights were business class and I guess that saved us because is was such a long trip. We went Air France who code share with China Southern ,  as they offered such a cheap business class flights. It was good. Just very long. 

The first flight from Brisbane was in a new plane with lovely but slightly inexperience cabin staff. Then a 6 hr wait in a rather crowded lounge. Then 12 hours to Paris in another great plane, with a 5 hour wait in a really lovely lounge with great showers.    ( saved us really) then a 3 hour flight. Phew. Finally arrived at about 4pm today –  Sunday. 

Very smart AirFrance lounge. Paris.


We arrived tired ………but excited to be here. 

Flying in gave us a great view of the surrounding countryside. It’s green and forested with mountains in the background and very neat looking villages. 


We now pre book to be collected from the airport and this worked well with GoOpti a local company. 

Our apartment for 4 nights booked through Booking.com is just back from the very picturesque river. It’s above a few restaurants and I’m listening to the rather lovely music floating up. We’ll be very comfortable for these next few nights. I find apartments give us more space and freedom. We’ve unpacked and I even ironed some dresses ready for the next few days. 


We took ourselves off exploring at around 5 and have just got back. It 9.13 and it’s just now getting dark. We really need to get to bed!

This lovely small city – the capital of Slovenia looks like a gem. It’s not too big. It’s got a charming river, some beautiful old buildings, a hill overlooking the city with a castle perched on top, lots of bridges and a ton of out door bars and restaurants. 


The perfect recipe for a few days exploring. We’re doing a walking tour at 10 tomorrow so it’s off to bed. 


The weather was overcast all day and drizzling in Paris. Then this afternoon the clouds moved off and the late afternoon sun was gorgeous –  shedding a beautiful soft light on the old buildings. Charming! Can’t wait to explore.