We arrived in Ljubljana, very late in the day after traveling along the back roads of Hungry to Slovenia. Riding along the Balaton Lake was delightful, reminiscent of my childhood trips to Elk Creek. The Balaton Lake is dotted for miles and miles with small family bungalows at the lake's edge. The houses are tiny, each one more charming than the next. The lake is traced with a green area for picnics, and sun bathers, then there is a row of houses, followed by the main drag and marshes.
For the first time on our trip we took off our heavy gear riding in our tee shirts, jeans and helmets. It felt taboo, though for the brief few hours soothing to be out of our jackets that felt like ovens.
When we arrived in Ljubljana, we found a hotel, which wasn't easy given it was the beginning of one of the busiest weeks of summer vacation. By the time we got settled into the hotel, it was very late and we crashed without taking a walkabout like we normally do.
Instead we pulled out the map looking at the roads ahead.
I found myself loving to be on Willow riding for hours, feeling the open spaces, the air on my face, my arms wrapped around French Husband is sheer delight, and the sense of adventure tingled with a divine sense of romance is too good to want to stop.
The next morning after a hearty breakfast we took a quick look into the center of town, with its amazing park attached to the city's center. When I found out that there was going to be a large antique market the next day, I told French Husband that the temptation to buy something would be unbearable, we left that very moment. I did not regret our decision, I have not bought anything on this trip (save a few postcards) and the feeling of lightness it brings is something I hope to hold on to.
On the way to Croatia I wondered what the word for "Room" was, as I had no clue I began to kick myself. How where we going to find a room if we didn't know how to say it? For the first time on our trip I thought how it might be a good thing to have a few helpful words in different languages in our pockets.
Words such as: Thank you! Hello? Where is the bathroom? Yes and No.
In German I knew two words…
1) Zimmer/room
2) Pretzel/pretzel.
At least we could eat and sleep.
We are off to Croatia and so far the journey is beautiful!
Days of traveling: 17 days
Miles traveled: 1800 miles
Countries and or Cites: Italy Milan, Stelvio Pass, Austria, Prague, Budapest, Solvenia and Croatia…
The smallest, bumpest road to date: Down a passage way in one of the stunning towns of Croatia.
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