By car, you can drive across Slovenia in a couple hours, in either direction. Roughly one hour driving is equivalent to one day of bicycling. The pandemic has complicated the idea of even visiting Slovenia’s border countries. I’ve toured twice around the world by bicycle. I love international travel, but now even exploring my own country of Slovenia is somewhat difficult. Combing the train, buses or Prevoz with your bicycle can give get a jump on your tour. The many villages, campgrounds, nature, museums, restaurants of Slovenia can be explored up close with a bicycle.
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?
Sorry to my peeps, I’ve been busy moving from my apartment in Skofja Loka, Slovenia. I’ve been in America about a month. This is the first day of my 4-5 month bike tour of the Oregon & /California coasts. I have some free days to play blog catch up.
I spent this winter researching potential bike trips and discovered the Drava River Route. It runs from Italy through Austria and ends in Slovenia. The train can be used to start or finish the trip. From Toblacher, Italy, for 400 km along the Drava River, through East Austria to Ptuj in Slovenia. Continue reading “DRAVA RIVER BICYCLE TRIP, THROUGH AUSTRIA/SLOVENIA”→
Jeffs Bike Tour Blog Site blew up with the wedding news and photos. I asked Natasa what we were going to follow up with? But as the days roll on so do the opportunities to celebrate. Natasa organized some food, drinks and desserts for an at work celebration of our wedding.
IT WAS VALENTINES, BUT NATASA CLAIMS SHE DIDN’T ORDER THE MINI-CAKES WITH THE HEARTS (I have my doubts)
4 TRAYS OF “BEAUTIFUL & DELICIOUS ” SANDWICHES. BY “DELI-LADY”, MARTINA
Natasa, the pharmacist, is a super hard worker, I can’t keep up with her and I’ve been self-employed nearly my entire life.
POURING THE SPARKLING CIDER BEFORE THE WORK “PARTY”
The room quickly field up with doctors, nurses, dentist and all the support staff. I was brought to tears, as they read us poems and congratulations (in Slovenian & English!)
EVERYONE ONE WAS SUPER EXCITED FOR NATASA AND FOR US TOO!
We met Nadja, a doctor at the clinic, at the farmers market and I gave her this blog address. Well she read it and gave us this amazing handmade gift. THESE ARE THE RIVERS OF PORTLAND AND SKOFJA LOKA. THANKS SO MUCH NADJA, IT’S HANGING RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, WHILE SITTING AT MY DESK.
Janez (Natasa’s brother) went to school to be a photographer and he captured some great moments.
We had an awesome wedding dinner, so I asked Natasa if we could walk home to help digest all the food? She loves walking so that part was easy, except we get outside and her Dad wants us to walk in the opposite direction. I insist we walk a certain direction, why? I made reservations at the TURIZEM LOKA B & B that was only 1 block from the restaurant As we walked i turned her left and directed her up the driveway to our honeymoon suite. Sara was waving to her mom, “goodnight Mom, have a nice night”, I was crying, she had no idea. Everyone in the wedding party knew, except Natasa. I had her favorite flowers delivered to the room with a card and framed sign that read:
The B & B’s hot tub and sauna, was a nice way to relax after a hectic week and day.
I ASKED NATASA I FOR A BARE HUG, INSTEAD THE BEAR GOT HUGGED. THERE’S STILL A LITTLE LANGUAGE MIS-COMMUNICATION.
WE VISIT PTUJ: SLOVENIA’S OLDEST VILLAGE
Skofja Loka is the 2nd oldest village in Slovenia and Ptuj is the oldest. They have a 2 week celebration every year and the parade is the final event. It was about an hour drive from our house.
It’s big event so we went early and brought our bikes, so we could do some exploring before the parade.
THE RIVER-MAN MADE LAKE HAS A BIKE-PEDESTRIAN PATH ALL THE WAY AROUND. THAT’S THE OLDEST CASTLE IN SLOVENIA, DATING BACK TO 70 AD. I didn’t know it, but there are 2 communities of Gypsies (Romas), in Slovenia. I was asked for money more today than I have my whole year in Slovenia. I felt like I had a sign on my forehead, “ask me for money”, they would walk the line, stop and ask me. They train them young too, I had a 3 year old ask me for money, holy shit.
I remember seeing the Kurent (or Korant) costume at the Ethnology Museum in Ljubljana.
DEPENDING ON THE VILLAGE THEY’RE FROM, THEY EITHER DECORATE THE HEADDRESS WITH FEATHERS, FLOWERS OR HORNS.
According to an ancient belief Kurent is a demon chasing winter away and calling spring to the country.
