Today we started with a tour of the castle on the cliff. It has speakers in costume to keep your interest. We started in the Printing Press shop. The gentleman showed our group how the type is set, then inked, and then applied to paper. That technology has certainly changed as we all do that in our homes now with computers and printers!
Next we visited the wine cellar where a friar spoke about the local wines. Tina wanted to show us the ballrooms in the castle, but they were preparing for an afternoon wedding, and they would not allow us access. But we were able to walk though other rooms of the castle. The view from that vantage point was fantastic as the sun was shinning that morning making everything glisten.
Next we traveled to Bohinj and it's beautiful lake. It reminded me of Lake Louise in Banff National Park in Canada. We stood on the edge of the lake and saw gorgeous mountains rising up on the other side. The Church of St. John the Baptist was across the street from the lake. It had lovely frescoes both inside and on the outside of the building. After visiting the church, Tina gave us about 20 minutes to tour the little town. They had a small adventure area where people could try climbing a cliff while harnessed to ropes and a person on the ground that would prevent them from falling. Along the lake was a statue of the Zlatorog (Goldhorn), the sheep (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldhorn) Tina had told us the legend before we left the bus, but as usual, I have forgotten it.
A short ride later, we were at the Vogel Cable Car. (bohinj.co/vogel-cable-car) I was a bit apprehensive about this part of the trip, but it was wonderful. The car could hold about 40 - 50 people standing. The trip was relatively quick, and very smooth. It does not take you the the very top, as skiers take chair lifts from here to get to the ski slopes. We had a delicious soup with bread in a restaurant at the top. And of course, the views from that point were fantastic! Vivian, from Australia, told me she took her daughter on a similar car in Hong Kong. Due to weather, they were stopped suspended mid trip, in the air, for 15 minutes. Her daughter was panicking, so to calm her, she told her of a movie where a helicopter came and rescued people from stalled cable. That just seemed to make it worse for her daughter. LOL
Next we stopped at a shepard's museum where a local guide told us about Slovenian farmers who managed their cows in the region. How they would migrate up the mountain side in the summer to be cooler, and down the mountain in the winter to be warmer. We then went across the village street to a place with table and chairs where we sampled fresh cheeses, and some traditional schnapps. It was a chance for Matt and Nora to have some Slivovitz. Their grandpa Nemec and dad would share it in the basement of their grandpa's house. Matt could not get it passed his nose. Lucy, the lady from Rocky River who sat next to me, showed me how to take small shots at a time. It is nothing that one sips. The blueberry schnapps is much better for sipping. (Tina even had some home made from a Bled restaurant that she shared with us on the bus both Friday and Saturday.)
Since we had such filling food during the day, Matt and I walked around the lake in the evening, and then had some Bled Cream Cake for our dinner this night. What a way to end the day. Very yummy.
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