Brasov was really great and now were headed to Sighisoara, it’s only an 1 1/2 hour drive away. But first we’re stopping at Viscri. Prince Charles has bought a house here and you can even stay overnight if you want. Charles bought his house in Viscri in 2006 and another in the village of Zalanpatak in 2010. His goal is to help preserve the culture, history, buildings and promote Romania’s sustainable agriculture. Continue reading “CITADEL CITY OF SIGHISOARA, ROMANIA PART IV: Prince Charles loves Romania too”
BRASOV, TRANSYLVANIA AND DRACULA Part III: Castle’s, Fortress’s & Squares.
The Delta region’s isolation was great, but Brasov is the #1 tourist destination in Romania. It’s central location in Romania allows you to easily visit all parts of Romania. We picked a road that was a little longer but, but took us off the main traffic routes (MAP). Continue reading “BRASOV, TRANSYLVANIA AND DRACULA Part III: Castle’s, Fortress’s & Squares.”
DANUBE DELTA part II :Where’s the Pelicans?
We got up early for another long day of driving, haven’t ridden the bikes, yet. We are staying 4 nights in the Delta, hopefully a little bike riding too? We’re earning our Romanian driving certificate, holy shit. I feel like we’re on a Grand Prix race track. I love all the road-side novelty shops. I heard we would have to take a ferry, so here we go. Continue reading “DANUBE DELTA part II :Where’s the Pelicans?”
ROMANIA: by car 3500km, by bike 100km. part I : THE MONASTERIES & MORE
Biking across the Mediterranean I was constantly warned about the troubles of traveling in Albania. At the end of my journey, I picked Albania as the best country to travel through. The people, history and nature were all top notch. I heard similar stories about Romania, the Romas, crime and corruption. Of course all that did was spark my interest even more about visiting Romania. I remember when Romania was accepted into the EU, the shouts from the UK were “they’re coming to steal all our metal.” No need need to worry about that now with Brexit.
We watched National Geographic’s 3 part series “WILD CARPATHIA”, about Romania I wanted to know more, so I watched it twice. At the end I told Natasa “I want to go tomorrow”, her response “Maybe?” She wanted to go to Belgium, no Belgium for me. I said I’ll go to Romania alone. She went into her computer room and found a blog that raved about Romania, then she was on board (finally). Continue reading “ROMANIA: by car 3500km, by bike 100km. part I : THE MONASTERIES & MORE”
MILAN with NEIL YOUNG AND TOURING WITH E-BIKE SHARE
There’s not a lot of music options in Slovenia, so going to Milan to see a concert is a must, if you want live music. Neil Young is 70 and I’m 60, it’s probably our last time together. Milan was the closest that Neil Young got to Slovenia, so I bought an online ticket (39 euro just for shipping ($45)). I meet some people on my weekly Lubnick bike ride, who were going to see Neil Young at Piazzol Sul Brenta, about 2 hours away? They added the show after I already bought the Milan ticket. I was driving by the day after the show, so I decided to leave a day earlier and catch the show. Yep 2 Neil Young shows. Continue reading “MILAN with NEIL YOUNG AND TOURING WITH E-BIKE SHARE”
DRAVA RIVER BICYCLE TRIP, THROUGH AUSTRIA/SLOVENIA
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”
SKOFJA LOKA IS A HAPPENING PLACE, NOW WITH CREATIVE TOURISM
I’ve lived in Skofja Loka for 2 years now, still speaking basically no Slovenian. The question I get frequently is “do you speak any Slovenian?” The language (if you can call it that), is difficult, to say the least, I think that’s why they keep asking me. It’s split about 50/50 the young people tell me, “don’t bother.” The older folks say I should learn some, easier said than done. 80-90% of the people I come in contact speak English with me and are fine with it. I need to speak when there is a group of people, they may speak English, but there not going to just for me, so maybe learn some huh? Most of the shows on TV are in English, not like in Italy where maybe 1 or 2 channels are in English.
Skofja Loka’s is changing, it’s become bike friendlier, tourist are discovering our town and many coming for return visits. Continue reading “SKOFJA LOKA IS A HAPPENING PLACE, NOW WITH CREATIVE TOURISM”
LJUBLJANA & OTHER TALES
I love Skofja Loka, but sometimes I get a case of small town fever. So I’ve been riding my bike weekly and sometimes twice weekly to Ljubljana, round trip about 52 km. The new spring leaves were on most of the trees, then it snowed 10 centimeters on April 27th. Well the heavy snow broke tree branches on nearly every tree I saw. Continue reading “LJUBLJANA & OTHER TALES”
U.S.A. & Portland vs EU & SLOVENIA? (vote Bernie Sanders)
I have lived & worked in America for 57 years. I had a few jobs as a teenager, but mostly I’ve been self-employed running several different business’s. I feel my experience in business and life in America, gives me some insights to the opportunities & struggles of living in America. I’m asked all the time if I miss America. So I thought it could make an interesting post, both for me & you. 3 years of living in Europe has given me a first hand experience of living a more social agenda.
The
EU USA
SIZE 4,422,733 SQ. KM. 9, 857,306 SQ. KM
POPULATION 508,191,116 320,000,000
GDP $19 trillion $18 trillion
GDP per person $32,000 $53,000
America exports to the EU totaled $262 billion & imports from EU totaled $387 billion
The imbalance is, America consuming more than it produces. (equals larger carbon-footprint & more)
Trade with Slovenia is similar: Slovenia imported $305 million in goods & exported $700 million worth of goods, to America.
Continue reading “U.S.A. & Portland vs EU & SLOVENIA? (vote Bernie Sanders)”
MISC. FUN STUFF IN SLOVENIA-PHOTOS: documentary film festival
It’s so weird having so much free time, called retirement. I’m able to pick things that interest me, whether it’s visiting museums, biking, or proposing new ideas for active tourism here in Skofja Loka. When I was working, I was lucky to go to one movie during Film Festivals in Portland. Ljubljana had a documentary film festival, I picked 10 movies, 2 alternates to see, Natasa could only find 2 (different ones). Some things are frustrating. Continue reading “MISC. FUN STUFF IN SLOVENIA-PHOTOS: documentary film festival”