Day 11
By Train From Trieste to Ljubljana
Friday, August 30, 2024
Dobro Jutro,
Both Grandma and Koro woke up this morning with an upset tummy. We used a lot of toilet paper this morning! We think it might have been the salad at dinner, the only thing we both ate. After four trips to the bathroom each we were both empty. We need to remember to drink heaps today.
In this heat and humidity we are trying to drink a lot of water during the day. But we both notice that we can go all day without having to pee, because we are sweating so much. On one hand that’s good, because public toilets are not always available, (you usually have to find a café and borrow their toilet). On the other hand we’re probably letting ourselves get a bit dehydrated.
After packing up we had to carry our heavy bags down 3 floors (60 steps). Our greatest concern was an emergency bathroom incident half way down. So Koro volunteered to carry the bags, but told Grandma to keep the apartment door open just in case he came rushing back. We both also packed a change of shorts and undies in our day packs, just in case.
Thank goodness that whatever it was had run its course, and we were both fine after we left the apartment.
Next step, collect our car. The old cities in Europe were built long before there were cars. So while staying in the city centre is convenient for sight seeing, it usually means parking in a parking garage a few streets away.
Today was just as hot as yesterday, and the sweat was dripping off us by the time we got to the car, despite being only 10:00am.
We threw the bags in the boot, plugged in Google maps and off we went. First, a petrol station, located as close to our car drop off point as possible. Then to the train station, where we also returned the car to the hire company.
Drop off was on the fourth floor of a parking building. Easy right? Well, Koro struggled. The ramps were circular, really tight and really steep, and why is the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car?! A couple of times Koro had to stop, do a hill start, slip the clutch like buggery and rev shit out of it. It wasn't pretty but at least we got there. All the old Nana’s would have been watching and thinking, “who is that useless male driver?”. Buzzy Bee put his wings over his eyes and tried to hide.
The train ride to Ljubljana was lovely and smooth, if a bit slow at times. No high speeds on this line. Buzzy Bee very much enjoyed the view. Slovenia is such a beautiful country.
We arrived at Ljubljana Station at about 4 o’clock, and it was stinking bloody hot, about 34C. Our hotel was a 10 minute walk away, Hotel Center. The room was very small, but staff were excellent. The hotel has a unique café on the ground floor called Wonderland Ljubljana. It is pink and flowery and very much aimed at the young female demographic. On the menu some of their dishes (which are all beautifully presented) had an Instagram logo next to it, meaning it is a great dish to upload a photo of to your instagram account. We’d never seen that before, but it’s very clever. A clever way to encourage your customers to advertise your café.
Parched after our long journey, we walked to House of Beer to partake of a refreshing beverage.
Suitably rehydrated, after a quick shower at the Hotel Center, we walked 10 minutes to the famous Dragon Bridge, which we remembered from our visit in 2018. We just wandered through town crisscrossing the Ljubljanica River over the many pedestrian bridges. It was a lovely Friday evening, town was packed with families, everyone dressed up and enjoying it.
According to Grandma Buzzy Bee is hoping to find a girlfriend on this adventure. And he did manage a couple of sly Tinder hookups. One was cute, but she was also batshit crazy. Grandma actioned her right to veto. If anything this is going to be a Grandma Arranged Marriage. Sorry, Buzzy Bee, but you’ve got no say in this.
We did so enjoy our few hours in Ljubljana. On our second adventure in 2018 Slovenia was one of our highlights, and after six years the country has lost none of its charm. It is a beautiful country and the people are just lovely. If there was any country we have been to that we would encourage other people to visit, it would be Slovenia.
Off to bed now, we have a long day tomorrow.
Love to you all from Grandma & Koro & Buzzy Bee.
