sLOVEnia

If Italy was the most slow moving, relaxed place that we've visited so far, then Slovenia definitely holds the prize for the most polite. The ticket lady on the train took us under her wing instantly and didn't allow for us to use any initiative by telling us the exact stop we needed to get off at as if we were children or clueless (we probably looked it). On arriving at our hostel which was so easy and quick to find - good because our backs had got used to not having to move every other day in Venice - the guy at reception shocked us with a very business-like handshake. Everybody we passed on our first circuit of Lake Bled smiled and said "Hi". While I was struggling to get back down the rocky mountain we'd climbed to watch sunrise the first morning, two helpful locals offered their hands. Even the waitress at the second bar we went to exclaimed, "of course you can" so enthusiastically that it was as if we were small children and had asked her to find our Mum in the supermarket rather than asked for a beer. You get the gist, a very friendly and polite place.

Bled's beauty lived up to our expectations. From every angle it was so photogenic, the water was crystal clear and the space around it was filled with so many lovely places for you to set up, relax, and even go for a dip if you fancy. We did all of the above.

Bled's nightlife was far more rowdy than expected. Our first night, after a mini bar crawl around the lake led by ourselves, we returned to the hostel intending on having a few more beers on the terrace then hitting the sack fairly early so that waking up at 5AM to catch the sunrise wouldn't be such a horrific experience (it's a hard life). However, when we arrived back at the hostel, though the atmosphere was chilled, we could sense that people were ready to party. The terrace closed at 10pm so the party moved down to the bar and there were free shots all round - we were impressed we refrained.

Glad we did because the sight we saw the following morning was stunning. The early start, the steep, breathy walk to the viewpoint and the freezing our tits off whilst up there was totally worth it. We sat for half an hour and enjoyed the peaceful, amazing view of the sun peeping up from behind the mountains across the lake. We then enjoyed a long and undisturbed stroll back along the lake and straight to bed.

When we left the house later that morning it felt like an entirely new day due to such an early start. The only thing reminding me we'd already been up and out was the stream of magical photos filling my camera roll and my injured foot because I'd stupidly climbed the rock path in sandals - bad move. We chilled by the lake for the entire day, only moving when our private spot got too shaded or busy. Then back to the hostel, few beverages with everyone on the terrace and back to the lake accompanied by a litre bottle of wine which we purchased for 3 Euros. Lush (except it was FREEZING so we only lasted 2 hours).

Luckily we still had a day left in this beautiful place because our train to Budapest wasn't until night - yep, our first experience of a sleeper. Watch this space. So for the final day we caught a bumpy shuttle bus to the never ending Gorge. Stunning. The walk back to Bled through some cute little villages was also beautiful and felt much like home. We enjoyed soaking up the rays and discussed the fact that we are two walking disasters, while I hobbled along with my swollen foot from my rock climbing in sandals injury. All in all, a great last day!

Things I've learnt in Bled:
-you can take the girl out of the backpackers but you can't take the backpacker out of the girl
-I'll never be able to pronounce 'Ljublijana' for as long as I live
-wine is so cheap here
-Bled Cream cake is delicious
-there are too many wasps in Bled
-the gorge was gorge