I was heading to the NE corner of Slovenia using the train. I wanted to bike a part of Slovenia that I’ve never been too. While riding the train to Maribor, I got a message from my accountasnt/advocate that she got me an appointment for my residency this Friday. I contemplated just getting back on the train and heading back to Ljubljana. I still had 3 days to do something?
I messaged Damjana at the Sava Primus resort in Ptuj. I’ve stayed here many times before, but thought it could be a nice 3 day rescue trip. She sent me a photo with mask and I sent her one back. “Can we kiss now?”
It’s a 30km ride from Maribor to Ptuj, no real hills. I spotted a stork & stork nest, I’ve never seen one in Slovenia before. In Romania, they’re everywhere.
I get to Terme Ptuj check in and pay for the package. This is the best deal ever, for 30 euro you get camping, access to the swimming pools, herbal saunas, hot tubs plus 4 buffet meals, breakfast and dinner. It’s cheaper for me to live at the resort than at home & no dishes to do. I’m not part of my gym in Ljubljana, so it’s also a great opportunity to swim laps.
I also make a stop at Karvana Bodi , not for coffee, but pivo (beer).
A beer customer had a pizza delivered, on my way to the bathroom I joked “You need help with that?” He offers a piece, I had a super buffet dinner waiting for me at camp. I take one and ask him if he’ll be here tomorrow? see you then.
I’ve taken a photo of the keg urinal before, now they have a keg sink.
I started a business here, bee panel postcards. they’re part of Slovenian Bee culture. So I met pizza guy the next day. I shared some postcards with him, he showed them to the Bodi Cafe owner. I traded my 2 beers for a pack of cards, he said they’re going to be on the wall in the pub. So next time you’re in Ptuj, check out Bodi’s.
Here’s a description of the history and pictures of the Painted Bee Panel Postcards. I hired a local artist to paint from different images.
Slovenian Folk Art Bee Panels The 600 + different Slovenian Bee panels were prolific from 1820-1880. They depicted religious & satirical themes of everyday life in Slovenia. The panels were also painted in order track progress of the hives. The more eloquent the painting was a statement regarding one’s wealth. During its lifetime a worker bee produces 0.8g of honey. Slovenia’s 7,500 bee keepers produce 2,500 tons of honey a year.Â
World Bee Day is celebrated on May 20th, in honor of Slovenian bee keeper pioneer Anton Jansa who was born May 20th, 1734.Â
Ptuj has been under “reconstruction” for a year or more? It’s almost done, pedestrian plaza’s, nice fruit & vegetable market, bike paths along the Drava River. I rode the Drava River Bike route, several years ago.
CLEANING UP NEW PTUJ
BURNING OUT THE WEEDS
After eating, drinking, swimming and biking around Ptju, it’s time to load up the bike and head home. I had to switch trains in the middle of nowhere. For awhile it was just me, the cleaning lady and the bartender at the station. On the train, I had the whole bar car to myself. The host tried giving me some schnapps, way too strong for me. He left and I poured it out between the cars.
BATHROOM SIGN AT TRAIN STATION 
Slovenia being so small and diverse there’s always something to do, for an hour, a day or a week. I felt like I rescued the situation. I’m leaving next week, to complete the original trip.
happy biking,
Jeff
Sweet! A pleasure as usual to read and see photos of your adventures.