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(S): Slovenia, (C): Croatia,
(M): Montenegro, (B): Bosnia-Herzegovina |
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6. Ljubljana, Slovenia
October 10 |
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| We drove in the morning from the resort hotel near Plitvice Lakes, Croatia,
north-west to Ljubljana, Slovenia, for 290 km over the country border. |
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Did we see a train and a railroad throughout this trip? In spite of a relatively flat area??
Apart from Slovenia, the other countries were in the middle of the battles
until ten-odd years ago. If there had been railroads there, they would
have been the very target. Such fear might still remain even now. I imagined
in my own way.
(I checked and found good trains and rairoads both in Slovenia and Croatia
on the Internet. Sorry!)
https://rail.arukikata.com/country/croatia.html
Lunch at Ljubljana, and then in the afternoon our last sightseeing of this
trip.
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According to the guidebook, "It was under Habsburg rule from the Middle
Ages until the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. After
World War 2, Ljubljana became the capital of the Socialist Republic of
Slovenia, part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It retained
this status until Slovenia became independent in 1991 and Ljubljana became
the capital of the newly formed state."
"Ljubljana is now the capital and the largest city of Slovenia. It
has been the cultural, educational, economic, political, and administrative
centre of independent Slovenia since 1991". The population is 270
thousand."
Ljubljana Castle on the hill and the river Ljubljanica running under the
castle. The peculiar landscape of nature and the buildings retaining the
remnant of medieval days are creating a calm atmosphere. Roofs all over
are mostly a quiet color like a scarlet mixed with vermilion. They were
chic to me and made me so relaxed.
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We tour members looked around through the small old town just as the previous
days.
Then free-time walking for about one hour.
Making sure of the meeting place and time, our couple dropped by at the main spots again and were relaxed at a cafe sipping espresso and sharing a local dessert called something of a fig.
The open-air stall quaters were lively, where I found kaki! It was ripe
and delicious! |
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| The department store looked so nice that I would like to have entered it,
but in vain with no time. I really wanted to buy a hunting cap with a logo
of Bosnia-Herzegovina there.
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Though I would not like to talk about a trivial matter solemnly, ....
Say, suppose I said "I went to Nikko" and was asked "Where
in Nikko?" Suppose I understandably answered "Toshogu Shrine"
and was totally agreed. Then lively conversation.
But Nikko is not famous only for Toshogu. There are, in addition, Rinnoji
Temple, Futarasan Shrine near Tobu-Nikko Station, and Chuzenji Lake, Kegon
Fall, Akechi Plain, Chuzenji Temple at the area up Iroha Slope. Near there,
Senjogahara Field, Kirifuri Heights, and some others.
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While leaving Ljubljana, I was reminded of such a thing viewing the castle
away. |
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The urban area of Ljubljana is said to consist of the buildings of the
historically outstanding styles like Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau
in a harmonious appearance.
Among them, we entered Francisco Cathedral, viewed City Hall, crossed Tromostovje and Zmajski bridges, and looked around the street market with Preseren Square in the center for one hour and a half.
The missed spots I regret are Tivoli Park, National Art Gallery and Museum,
not to mention Ljubljana Castle. All of them should have been suitable
spots to learn the Slovenian culture.
I have to judge this trip good at least due to the visit of Postojna Cave
in the suburbs like Kirifuri Heights of Nikko on the second day
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October 11, the 9th last day
It was downpouring through the night until this morning. It is over now,
but the puddles are seen here and there.
The heavy rain before the last day. We are lucky without any trouble during
the travel and no difficulty on the way back to Japan.
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We left Hotel Ljubljana Resort at 8:30, and drove 200 km north to Graz
Airport, Austria. When parting from Mr Jacob, the driver, he was waving
his hand with a genuine smile.
From there we flew to Munik, Germany, by a propeller plane called Dash
8.
The plane from Munik to Narita was a little smaller than a jetplane. Our
seats were at the window side.
The flight time was 11 hours and a half. During the time three movies were shown. For myself instead, listened to rakugo through my iPod.
Finally I heard the announcement of "Narita, soon."
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| The next two chapters are for other special notes. |
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| Part 6 Reading: 8' 56" |
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(S): Slovenia, (C): Croatia,
(M): Montenegro, (B): Bosnia-Herzegovina |
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| Close |
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